New Challenge: Title Track
Tolkien's titles range from epic to lyrical to metaphorical. This month's challenge selected 125 of them as prompts for fanworks.
SWG News
Our Annual Amnesty Challenge: New Year's Resolution
Start 2026 off with creativity! If you missed a challenge or didn't get to finish or post a challenge fanwork, complete any 2025 challenge before 15 February to receive the stamp.
"The Fëanorian Zine" Available to Read and Download
We are pleased to be able to offer "The Fëanorian Zine" to read and download on the SWG for free.
Call for Artists for the 2026 Challenge Stamps
We are soliciting help from artists who want to help create the stamps we award to challenge participants.
New & Updated Fanworks
[Writing] In Early Spring by Serinquanion
In what Maedhros was re-embodied early and was sent back to Middle Earth on his volition with Glorfindel.
This isn't about what happened right then but years after Fall of Sauron when he still refused to return to Valinor.
He found a strange sapling at the shore of what remains of…
[Writing] Umnenyalië by Serinquanion
He was going to die. The molten rocks would burn him just like the cursed gem in his palm did. Maybe less painfully but still being burnt hurt and Maedhros knew it. He intimately knew it from his time in Angband where Þauron burnt him often in frustration and to toy with him and his master…
[Writing] Winter Warmth by Serinquanion
A winter night in Himring. But inside the quarters where fire blazed in hearth was warmer, and not only from the fire or quilt.
[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] Who Will Hear Me? by XirinOfArvada
A lonely elf finds a flute half buried beneath the sand and wonders if its owner will hear him when he calls.
[Writing] Loyal, Faithful by Himring
Late in the Second Age, one of the Faithful reflects critically on past developments. (Free verse.)
[Writing] East Away! by Flora-lass
Aldarion storms off towards Middle-earth. For the Title Track challenge.
Current Challenge
Title Track
Create a fanwork using our collection of 125 titles from Tolkien's books, chapters, essays, poems, and fragments as inspiration. Read more ...
Random Challenge
Season of Change
Create a fanwork about seasons in Tolkien's world. Read more ...
New in References
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.
Twilight, Child Of: Comparisons Between Tinúviel, Lómion, and Undómiel by JazTheBard
This presentation for Mereth Aderthad 2025 discusses the many similarities between Tolkien's three "twilight children," Tinúviel, Lómion, and Undómiel (Luthien, Maeglin, and Arwen) in terms of appearance, plot, and cultural background. Yet these three characters play very different roles in the text.
The Aromantic in Tolkien by daughterofshadows
Presented at Mereth Aderthad 2025, this paper makes the case thata, although the term "aromantic" had not yet been coined in Tolkien's day, many of his characters can be read as aromantic. The paper takes a closer look at Aredhel, Bilbo, and Boromir as three examples of characters who can be read as aromantic.
Featured Themed Collection
Beyond the Silmarillion
[Writing] here you will dwell, bound to your grief by Elrond's Library
Arwen grieves, and loves.
[Writing] Faramir's Verse by losselen
“Come, Faramir. Let us not stand in ceremony. I think words are due between you and I, and not only those between a King and his Steward.”
Faramir has speech with Gandalf and his King.
[Writing] In a Hole in the Ground... by StarSpray
“There’s a goblin hiding in the taters, Dad!” Pippin hefted the pan, which was much too big for him to carry, let alone wield.
Around the World and Web
March Challenge - Tolkien Short Fanworks
Tolkien Short Fanworks is running a challenge for the month of March to create a Back to Middle-earth Month themed challenge.
Tolkien Fashion Week 2026
This two-week-long Tumblr event is dedicated to honoring the world of fashion and textiles Tolkien wrote about in his books.
Celegorm and Curufin Week 2026
Celegorm and Curufin Week is a Tumblr week celebrating the relationship between Celegorm and Curufin Feanorion
Back to Middle-earth Month 2026
Back to Middle-earth Month is returning for it's 20th year with many prompts and archival efforts.
Fanworks Tagged with Túrin
The Story of the Silent from the Beginning of the World by SteveofCallie
The story of the Quorin, the Silent People, and their home on Tol Úpahtëa.
West Over Sirion by swampdiamonds
Gwindor considers the best route home.
Dagnir Glaurunga by Robinka
The dragon and his executioner. A take of the death of Glaurung, but with a twist. (Artwork)
The Hawthorn Sword by swampdiamonds
Back in Nargothrond after several seasons on the northern border, Túrin finds himself entangled in Gwindor's personal and political conflicts and comes to a decision about his own future.
The Greycloak's Foster-Sons by Kaylee Arafinwiel
Takes place after "The Fosterling Prince Arrives". Lord Brandir of Doriath (OC) - Oropher's maternal grandfather, Elu's foster-son, and royal loremaster, meets his new 'brother'.
Book Blubs by oshun
Chapter 5 – Bird Talk - Known for his popular TV show “Shut Up and Listen,” specialist in bird behavior from early childhood Turko Fëanárion insists that his methods work with the most resistant birds and the clumsiest of humans. Get all the details in this water-resistant 100-page paperback guide.
These blurbs are written by a reader who is on the mailing lists of far too many publishing companies. Why not use some of the dozens of prompts of yet another annual B2MeM to design covers or ads, write ad copy, review, or draft summaries of books I would not be likely to write?
The Fosterling Prince Arrives by Kaylee Arafinwiel
The young Túrin is led to the gates of Menegroth. What welcome will he receive?
Before the Coming of the End by Himring
Who will fetch forth Turin to the fight, as the Dagor Dagorath approaches?
Written for Kenaz for the "Around the Fire" Challenge.
Dead Leaves and Beetles by Zdenka
Even before their fatal quarrel, Saeros is exasperated by Túrin's lack of grooming. (Triple drabble.)
Thaw by swampdiamonds
Gwindor and Túrin on the shores of Ivrin. Things lost, things found, and some basic math.
Three Sentence Fics: Tolkien by Zdenka
A collection of fills written for rthstewart's 3 Sentence Ficathon in 2013 and 2015, for Tolkien-based prompts. (Mostly Silmarillion, with one for Farmer Giles of Ham and Sir Orfeo, and one non-Tolkien crossover.)
Chapters 2 & 3: More Tolkien-based fills written for caramelsilver's 3 Sentence Ficathon in 2016 and 2017.
The Offer by swampdiamonds
An idea proposed by Túrin leads to uncomfortable conversations.
Somewhere I Have Never Travelled by The Wavesinger
Finduilas makes a decison that will alter certain paths, including Nienor's.
(Written for Amy Fortuna for Fandom Stocking 2015)
my hero bares his nerves by Agelast
Written for the prompt - the Turin pairing of your choice having disastrous sex. But it's always a disaster, when Túrin's around!
Homecoming by swampdiamonds
"In those halls in the hills at that homecoming
mirth was mingled with melting tears"
(The Lay of the Children of Húrin, Canto III:1999-2000)
Rian's Only Metal Hit by Elwin Fortuna
The Elves make no song of Fingolfin's last stand. One of the Edain, however, did.
The Dagor Dagorath by Marjolenna
A short poem and among the very first things I've ever written Tolkien-related. It isn't much, but I hope you enjoy it.
Based on the original speculations and in-universe prophecies regarding the Dagor Dagorath, the Battle of All Battles.
Sharpen your swords, O Elves of Nargothrond by maeglin
Sundry tales of Elven politics.
Rise Up With Fists by Agelast
Beleg meets and befriends Túrin, future life-ruiner.
Atanatari: Of the Three Houses of the Edain by Himring
A collection for stories about the Edain.
Recently added: The chair (Sador Labadal)
A Foretelling of Blood by Kaylee Arafinwiel
A brief conversation between Lord Oropher of Doriath and Aran Thingol's sixteen-year-old adopted human son causes Oropher a few moments of unease. Triple drabble.
