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
Ancestors
Create a fanwork in which a character's resemblance or connection to an ancestor plays a central role. 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 General
Find Home by Elwin Fortuna
Ghost King meets exiled Elf! Maglor Fëanorion walks into the Gambler's Den one evening with a strange request to make of Hua Cheng. Crossover with Heaven Official's Blessing (Tian Guan Ci Fu) by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu.
Of Perfect Make by StarSpray
A letter comes to the Lonely Mountain from Bag End, requesting a large number of birthday gifts for Bilbo's upcoming eleventy-first birthday. The Mountain gets to work immediately.
Treasure by Independence1776
Elladan and Elrohir find something Elrond doesn't expect.
Hope Against the Shadow by StarSpray
Arwen dreams of shadows, and stitches light.
What Once Was by cuarthol
What was lost cannot be restored, but something new can always be found
The Crafting of Galadriel’s Mirror by Anérea
Portrait of Mélamírë, Master Smith of the Gwaith-i-Mírdain, crafting Galadriel’s Mirror.
Elven Nature by Anérea
An elf of the Lembi, those that lingered under the starlight in Middle Earth, shunning the summons of the Valar to journey to Aman. (Later called Avvari by the Eldar.)
Listen to the sky by Anérea
Arvedui decides to sail, despite warnings to wait. (As told by a woman of the Lossoth.)
(The fate of Fíriel, wife of Arvedui, was never recorded; I like to think she was a tough cookie and had fought and fled with him to the Ice-bay of Forochel.)
Chagim by Chestnut_pod
Tolkienfic inspired by and engaging with Jewish holidays.
Neldë Nelquain mí Orelesta by Chestnut_pod
Elemmírë gathers sparks in the Darkness -- light without end.
The Leafless Winter by StarSpray
Though Elwing did not speak, Nienna seemed to know her thoughts. "Few of the Eldar come to stay long in my halls," she said, "but they are open to all. Will you come there?"
A Star In The Darkness by Gabriel
Angrod's hopes for a new life in a strange new land with the object of the Noldor's wrath residing to the north, may not be as easy as he believes.
Regarding Storks by Lferion
Celegorm went his own way even as a child. Some people consider that a problem. His family doesn't.
It's About the Journey by Rocky41_7
Just getting to the campsite is its own adventure.
Ill News by grey_gazania
Early in the Second Age, a follower of the Sons of Fëanor brings Elrond some ill news.
Written from a prompt by Himring for Tolkien OC Week (background characters).
Gone by grey_gazania
In the aftermath of the War of the Last Alliance, Gil-galad's mother struggles to cope with her grief,
Written for Tolkien OC Week on Tumblr (prompt: gaps and ghosts).
Warning Labels by grey_gazania
Maedhros and one of his followers discuss Elrond and Elros' future.
The Last Frost Fair by Narya
In 1814 Maglor walks the frozen river Thames, observing and reflecting.
Hier, mit dir im Dämmerlicht by daughterofshadows
Sometimes life creates the most beautiful symmetries.
Or two times, Túrin and Beleg sat together during a blackout.
here at journey's end by Arveldis
“How will you know when it’s time?” Frodo asked.
“When I have seen the wonders of Fangorn and Aglarond with Gimli, when my father’s people and I have made Ithilien the fairest garden in Gondor, and when my friends have passed beyond the circles of this world—then I will know that it is time,” Legolas said.
They stay for those they love.
Little Drop of Poison by grey_gazania
Maedhros is injured, and Elrond discovers his talent for healing.
Written for Tolkien Gen Week on Tumblr (prompt: grey spaces).
Aurë Entuluva by StarSpray
Gil-galad comes face to face with Sauron.
Into the Unknown - Welcome to the Beleriand System by daughterofshadows
Welcome to the Beleriand System!
Join me as we traverse space stations and ships great and small, meet characters from all across the legendarium and explore new and exciting parts of the Arda Galaxy!
Calls from the other end of the galaxy by daughterofshadows
Sometimes you just need a little help with a code from the author, even if you've been working with it for decades. If only they would answer their dang phone!
So, instead Maeglin calls an old friend, hears an amusing anecdote and passes on a message.
It's all in a day's work.
Except for the autopilot. That took a lot longer.
So It Is Said by StarSpray
Elros befriends some gulls
