New Challenge: Everyman
Create a fanwork about an ordinary character in the legendarium using a quote about an unnamed character as inspiration.
SWG News
Cultus Dispatches: Fanworks, AI, and Resistance by Dawn and Grundy
The fan studies column Cultus Dispatches returns with a history of how Tolkien fanworks fandom has reacted and resisted generative AI by drawing strong boundaries in a way that is not typical for the fandom.
Instadrabbling Sessions for April, May, and June
Instadrabbling continues on the first Saturday of each month on our Discord server.
New Challenge: Famous Last Words
For our March challenge, our moderators will assign you a famous last line to use as a prompt.
New & Updated Fanworks
[Writing] A Hundred Miles Through the Desert by StarSpray
“Come on.” Maedhros grabbed his hand and pulled him along down the path, both of them quickening their pace now, until the trees opened up into a wide meadow filled with flowers, bright yellow celandine and dandelions and sweet-scented pale chamomile mingling with cornflowers and irises. On…
[Writing] Til We're on the Other Side by StarSpray
It was only the second time Finwë had come out foraging with them, and of course this would happen—of course the Hunter would come, the Dark Rider on his steed with its terrible, heavy footfalls, and the deep-throated laughter that held no mirth, only malice.
In the dark…
[Writing] The Endless Years by Elrond's Library
Elwing reckons with the passage of time.
[Writing] a life freely given, a favor returned by skywardstruck
Finrod and Bëor stop for a while on the road to Nargothrond to rest. The bodies of the Secondborn often grow weary, and Finrod laments, massaging Bëor's back and renewing his beloved's vigor with the work of his hands. But Finrod has other burdens of his own, Bëor soon discovers, returning…
[Writing] dye me, nocturne by skywardstruck
Maglor without Maedhros, Daeron without Lúthien. Alone, they are nothing, but together, they can be something more.
Where do you turn, when you have no one else left?
Written for Tolkien Reverse Summer Bang 2023, featuring artwork by athlai.
[Writing] Hill and Water Under Sky by StarSpray
a collection of drabbles and mini ficlets in the meanwhile the world goes on 'verse that aren't long enough to stand on their own
[Writing] The Long Arm of the Law by Elrond's Library
Turgon cannot be above the law.
Current Challenge
Everyman
Create a fanwork about an ordinary character in the legendarium using a quote about an unnamed character as inspiration. Read more ...
Random Challenge
Companies, Clubs, and Cliques
Create a fanwork that explores a group of characters--formal or informal--that Tolkien didn't identify or describe in his own writings. Read more ...
New in References
Fandom Draws the Line: Fanworks, AI, and Resistance by Dawn Felagund, Grundy
By definition, fanworks fandom does not draw a lot of boundaries, but community archives and events have taken a strong stance against AI-generated fanworks due to ethical considerations and member input.
Grief, Grieving, and Permission to Mourn in the "Quenta Silmarillion" by Dawn Walls-Thumma
In a book as full of death as the Quenta Silmarillion, grief and mourning are surprisingly absent. The characters who receive grief and mourning—and those who don't—appear to do so due to narrative bias. Grief and mourning (or a lack of them) serve to draw attention toward and away from objectionable actions committed by characters.
Tolkien, Lunatic Physicists, and Abnegation by Cynthia (Cindy) Gates
This presentation for Mereth Aderthad 2025 discusses the parallels between the concept of abnegation in the scientific work surrounding the atomic bomb and in The Silmarillion. The relinquishment of self-interest in favor of the interests of others, abnegation was identified by Tolkien as a powerful act of spirit and reason. The legendarium has many examples of the complexities of abnegation, which parallel similar discussions held by physicists during and after World War II.
Featured Themed Collection
Beyond the Silmarillion
[Artwork] The Mirror of Galadriel by skywardstruck
Smoke rises from the Mirror, where the Lady of Lothlórien awaits to share its visions.
[Writing] Bar-en-Eladar by Gabriel
Out of the shadow, light is born anew.
A Chieftain is dead. And whilst the events surrounding his death are unclear, a son tries to come to terms with his loss.
[Writing] Why did Éowyn ask Faramir if he'd rather have a "woman of the race of Númenor"? by Quente
For most of my life, when reading Lord of the Rings, I read it through the perspective of Gandalf's words about Éowyn, that she'd spent years trapped as a caregiver, watching the realm she love fall from honor into disgrace.
But what if Éowyn was also a student of history?
…
Around the World and Web
Angbang Week 2026
Angbang Week is a tumblr event focusing on the relationship between Morgoth and Sauron, running from May 5-11, 2026
Gondor Week 2026
A Tumblr week event focusing on the history of the realm of Gondor.
Crablor Day
A day dedicated to everyone's favourite warcriminal crustacean - April 26, 2026
April/May Teitho Challenge
Teithio is running a prompt challenge around the theme of "heartbreak."
April Challenge Tolkien Short Fanworks
Tolkien Short Fanworks is running a challenge around the theme of "fools," "foolishness," or "being fooled."
Fanworks Tagged with Lúthien Tinúviel
Face the Music by Sasha Honeypalm
One time only in the history of Arda, by Luthien's song, was Mandos moved to pity.
...Self-pity counts, right?
Knife-sharp by heget
Gamil Zarik, master of Telchar, close friend of the elven royal family, goes to Menegroth one last time.
The Nightingale Sang by ArtificialEnt
Luthien runs into a strange and batlike creature on her way to rescue Beren.
A Place in Time by Nienna
A ficlet or drabble a day, various subjects.
For independence1776‘s Hanukkah themed prompts: independence1776.tumblr.com/post/180634928943/hanukkah-themed-prompts
Flashes of Fancy by heget
All the instadrabbles (100 words or less) written for the SWG Discord event on November 18th.
The Long Road by Kaz
Elladan really wasn't planning to get thrown back in time to Beleriand, but the world didn't bother asking his opinion. Now, he struggles to find a way back home as the First Age unfolds around him. The host of newly acquired relatives, including a great-uncle with a flair for dramatics, sons of Fëanor who insist on being people rather than historical villains, and a several-times great-grandmother with some unexpected skills, just make it more overwhelming.
And where is Gil-galad, anyway? Shouldn't he be around here somewhere?
A Path Drenched in Blood by Kaz
Why didn't Dior give the Silmarils to the Sons of Fëanor? Why didn't Elwing, knowing the likely result? An attempt at a sympathetic explanation.
In which Lúthien worries, Nimloth plots, Dior learns about bargaining, Eärendil sees what most do not, Galadriel is not maternal and - throughout - Elwing dreams.
Flowers and Fathers by LadyBrooke
Nimloth doesn't want her father or Lúthien's to know they're together.
It's not because they would disapprove.
Nightingale before the power of Night by Laura Elizabeth
Luthien casts her songspell over Morgoth.
The Sorceress’ Apprentice by oshun
Lúthien encourages Galadriel to approach Melian for tutoring.
Beneath Starlight Singing by Laura Elizabeth
Luthien meets Beren. One shot. Companion piece to Mountains Cold, Shadows Shimmering.
Luthien's Choice by Grundy
Short snippet of Luthien in Mandos, originally a quick Tumblr fic.
Strange Magic by oshun
Daeron questions Lúthien’s use of magic and simultaneously feels attracted to her for the first time.
At The Battle of Sarn Athrad. by hennethgalad
Beren hands on his mantle to Dior.
Letters. by hennethgalad
News comes slowly to Tol Galen.
Eluchíl by hennethgalad
Ents and Eldar gather on Tol Galen to sing of past grief and future hope.
Dior meets Nimloth again.
part 5 of the 30-day character study.
Alagor to Daeredhel by hennethgalad
A letter from one friend of Dior to another.
Dior, in trouble with his parents, is sent to Menegroth.
(comes after 'Concerning Dior' and 'for in that sleep of death, what dreams may come ?' )
"for in that sleep of death, what dreams may come ?" by hennethgalad
Dior is helped to face adolescence by his parents.
Concerning Dior. by hennethgalad
The first part is excerpts from the journal of Helin, sister to Edrahil, who visits Tol Galen when Dior is a small child.
Challenges: 30-Day Character Study by oshun
I am going to use this space for my contributions: meta, notes, links to stories, and to artwork. Rating will be teens or lower.
Too late to go in peace by mangacrack
Dreams tell Dior to stop the madness, but the young king doesn't listen.
Fewer Words, Without Song by IgnobleBard
The story of Beren and Lúthien told as a fairy tale.
The Dead That Live by fortunaavversa
Beren and Lúthien win a Silmaril. (Artwork)
A Candle for the Hollow City by Lordnelson100
About the Nauglamír and the other side of the story. Of culture clash, betrayal, and lost art.
We have our teaching, and the Elves have theirs. Through countless years, they have continued to tell their own version of events about the Nauglamír. Ever they turn the story against us, saying it reveals the greed of the Dwarves, and our treachery.
They say that Elven memory is perfect. And yet it seems not so.
Stolen Evenings by Tyelca
A collection of short stories, each one focusing on a different pairing sharing one (stolen) evening.
