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 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] 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] 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] 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.
[Writing] Despair and Shadows by octopus_fool
Haleth leaves to find her brother, even though her father does not permit her to.
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
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 Drama
Faith in our Hearts by Narya
After the Dagor Aglareb, Fingon has a secret, and Maedhros has a confession to make...
Written for My Slashy Valentine 2018 as a gift for Fadesintothewest, who requested a Maedhros/Fingon story. Thanks for giving me the excuse!
Many thanks to the wonderful Ignoble Bard for beta-reading.
Touching Tomorrow by Keiliss
Memory can be a complex puzzle for the reborn, but Glorfindel finds the pieces of his past that matter most.
Sequel to Another Future
The Second Kinslaying. by hennethgalad
The sons of Fëanor attack Menegroth.
A Witchy Queen by feanorusrex
Tar-Míriel gains power for herself, finally.
Call Me Ruler by feanorusrex
"Two hundred and five years she holds the scepter, vowing to outlast her enemies, and solidify her place in the history books with this, if nothing else, so that she cannot be written out, only a name on a genealogy." Tar-Ancalimë rules.
Belated by Dawn Felagund
On two occasions, Finwë was late for Fëanor's departure into the North. This story explores the complexity and evolution of the relationship between Finwë and Fëanor.
Marilliën and the Fall of Doriath by Kaylee Arafinwiel
Marilliën has always been devoted to the Sindar, ever since her beloved kinswoman ensnared their King. But with Melyanna gone, she at least had tried to serve as a protection to Doriath, and to Melyanna's family.
The tale of one 'young' Maia OC as she gets caught up in the Second Kinslaying. For October's "Behind the Scenes" and January 2018 "New Year's Resolution".
To See the End Beyond All Doubt by mainecoon
Maedhros and Maglor, after the War of Wrath. Maedhros wants it all to end. Maglor wants something different, and receives help from an unexpected side.
Da Capo by Lordnelson100
Da Capo - musical term: an instruction to play over from the beginning.
"There must have been another way to solve the equation, a different path to other results," he thought.
Forth Again, to Behold the Stars by feanorusrex
Niënor Níniel puts her life back together after Túrin's death.
Letters. by hennethgalad
News comes slowly to Tol Galen.
A Dancing Queen by feanorusrex
The third ruling queen is more than she seems.
Auld Acquaintance by Narya
Something for the season. A retired maths teacher has a surprise visitor on New Year's Eve. Over the course of the evening, secrets are told and an old friendship is renewed.
Last Days in the Magic Kingdom by Lordnelson100
It was never the right moment to leave Doriath.
One of the first big leaks happened in the Hall of Ages, once used for the spectacular Autumn Moon dances. Formerly a favorite room of the Queen. A section of gilded woodwork, encrusted with carven grapes and flowers, gave way and fell to the floor. Water streamed in, ruining a delicate mural of the Great Journey. The polished parquet floor swelled and warped beyond repair.
No one was thinking about dancing, so soon after the King’s death and the Sack. They shut up the room and left it be.
Songs of Beleriand by hennethgalad
Elrond gets nostalgic at the celebrations of his daughters wedding.
Psyche by Harnatano - Lithenna
In Nargothrond, Curufin deals with a lot of identity issues...
Broken faith by Harnatano - Lithenna
When Curufin remembers his wife.
The Death of Finwë by oshun
Fëanor, summoned out of banishment by the Valar, arrives at the home of Eärwen and Finarfin the day before Manwë’s long to be remembered high feast on Taniquetil. No one knows what to expect from the Valar, but they certainly least of all expected the darkening of Valinor and the death of Finwë. (Written from Eärwen’s point of view.)
The Very Lands by Tyelca
The Drowning of Nûmenor is felt all over Middle-Earth.
The Untold Pledge by Harnatano - Lithenna
Deep into Curufin's memories
Tales of Fear and Woe by lightofthetrees
A collection of ficlets/drabbles for Terrifying Tolkien Week 2017.
Reconciliation by Ariana
Story about the recovery of Maedhros and his efforts to find himself in this new reality, but also to stitch back what was torn among the Noldor. Lots of relations between brothers.
Elwing's Balrog by Keiliss
When 12 year old Elwing, the fey, half-elven grandchild of Beren and Lúthien, realises that she might age and die like a mortal, she goes to the person she trusts most for advice and incidentally discovers a new aspect of her heritage.
Both parties in this unlikely friendship = written with love.
The Promise by Tyelca
Young Fëanor has nightmares. Finwë offers comfort to his only son.
No One by Dawn Felagund
Idril sits down to dinner with her cousin Maeglin shortly after the deaths of his parents. What begins as an uneventful meal dominoes into resentment and defensiveness as her own traumatic memories of her mother's death surface.
