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
It's All in the Numbers
Create a fanwork focused on numbers: how they were invented or used by a culture or character. 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 Original Female Character(s)
Midsummer Prayer by Zdenka
Míriel keeps Erulaitalë as best she can. (Fixed-length ficlet.)
Paths of Exile by Zdenka
Moments on a Fëanorian’s journey, from the Oath to the fall of Ost-in-Edhil. (A sequence of six drabbles.)
Blood, Song, & Silver by MisbehavingMaiar
Celebrimbor, Lord of Eregion recieves an emissary from the West claiming to be a Vanya smith. The teachings he comes bearing are controversial; how to imprint thoughts and wills into matter using Song, and words of power. As the emissary gains support with king and court, their relationship becomes entangled with secrets and the weight of the past.
Killed With Kindness by Zdenka
A notorious future queen advances her plans. (Drabble. Written in 2012.)
Foe and Friend by Zdenka
In Ar-Pharazôn's palace on Númenor, Isildur's wife encounters peril, temptation, and unlooked-for help. (Written in 2011.)
On the Wings of Storm by Zdenka
A woman of Númenor on the sea, in doubt and hope: Isildur's wife after the Downfall. (Written in 2011.)
Dying on the Vine by Ilye
At the start of the Second Age, Gil-galad and his mother have a frank conversation about Fingon whilst Maedhros passes from politics into history.
Dying on the Vine by Ilye
At the start of the Second Age, Gil-galad and his mother have a frank conversation about Fingon whilst Maedhros passes from politics into history.
Not Love, Perhaps by The Wavesinger
As the Haladin travel through Nan Dungortheb, their warriors fight to protect their people, and their lady is at their head.
(Written flor Zdenka for Chocolate Box 2015)
An Ordinary Abrasion by The Wavesinger
Aredhel and a friend, and a conversation in Valinor.
(Written for Scribe_of_Mirrormere for Chocolate Box 2015)
An Orchid on the Salt White Beach by The Wavesinger
Tar-Míriel and the Keeper of Gardens of the Palace, from first meeting to last. A story told in snapshots and snippets.
(Written for Sigridhr for Chocolate Box 2015.)
The Fire That Grew So Low by The Wavesinger
Two time Ancalimë stumbled, and two times she tried to make it right again. A tale of lovers in Númenor.
(Written for Tallulah for My Slashy Valentine 2016.)
Breathless by elfscribe
Glorfindel knows that his clandestine affair with King Turgon will cause a scandal if discovered, especially since the King has outlawed all sexual relationships. But when Glorfindel seeks to understand his own heart, he discovers how impossible it is to keep secrets in Gondolin’s closed community. Written for 2016 MSV.
Voices of the Sea by The Wavesinger
Always, always, Mithrellas hears the sea: Nimrodel, Nimrodel.
(Written for Elleth for Fandom Stocking 2015)
An Oath Once Sworn by The Wavesinger
Just before the Union of Maedhros, Araloth overhears one conversation, and remembers several others.
(Written for Himring for Fandom Stocking 2015)
The Master of Mirecourt by The Wavesinger
A young luthier is apprenticed to the one they call the Master.
(Written for Independence1776 for Fandom Stocking)
Maudits silmarils, livre 2 by Dilly
À Gondolin, pendant que ses chevaliers parcourent le monde, Turgon déprime... Une parodie crack du Silmarillion façon Kaamelott et Sacré Graal. Suite du livre I. Nouveau chapitre : L'absence.
The Mystery of the Missing Cake by The Wavesinger
The Midwinter cake is missing, and Idril, Aredhel, and Meleth go on a quest to find it.
(Written for Elleth for the 2015 MPTT Yule Exchange)
Taking the Endless Way by The Wavesinger
A queen (and general) finds her way into the Forest, again, and the past finds its way to her.
Written as a treat for Amy Fortuna and Elleth for the 2015 LotR Secret Santa exchange.
A Slow, Tremulous Cadence by The Wavesinger
A ball in which no-one dances, and the morning after. (Featuring angst, politics, conversations, foreshadowing, and a guest appearance by doors. Yes, actual doorways. Also some Maedhros/Fingon.)
Written for Platinum_and_Diamonds for the 2015 LotR Secret Santa exchange.
Butterfly Wings by The Wavesinger
The queen of Arthedain is rescued by a stranger. Random conversation ensues. (AKA there isn't much plot the backstory makes up for it?)
This is the last of my B2MeM stories from last year.
Song of the Stone by Dawn Felagund
Newly arrived at Khazad-dûm in the Second Age, the Elven loremaster Pengolodh presents a portion of his new book to Narvi only to discover that his understanding of the “great profit” that existed between the Dwarves of Belegost and the people of Caranthir in the First Age is not quite what he assumed. Written for Zdenka for the 2015 LotRGenfic/MPTT Yule Exchange.
New Year's Night by Elleth
On the plains of Northern Rhûn in the early Years of the Sun, a young woman of the Kinn-lai goes on a perilous journey to rescue her missing sister.
Scene by Candle-Light by Elleth
Sometimes Aerin comes to Morwen for comfort.
