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] The Tale of Tar-Ciryatan's Daughter by Kaylee Arafinwiel
Ailinel, orphan of Numenor, is one of the poor girls dowered by Tar-Ciryatan and titled a "King's Daughter", encouraged to sail East to his colonies and find herself a husband.
It doesn't take her that long.
But even after she and Shipman Gaerondur find love, life in the colony isn…
[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.)
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
Within the Pages of Lore
Get your Silmarillion off of the shelf. Close your eyes, let your book fall open at random, and put your finger down on the page. Your challenge is to create a fanwork using that quote. 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
Yavanna's Dream by MisbehavingMaiar
"I multiply. I diversify. I evade. I grow. And if you would subdue me, Gorthaur, you must catch me first."
Yavanna has a nightmare about her sister, Vana, confronting Sauron and the (allegorical) rise of industry.
Giver of Freedom by MisbehavingMaiar
A short poem and a portrait of Melkor.
Frozen Heart by Kaylee Arafinwiel
On the first day of winter, young Eärendil announces its arrival to his parents very early in the morning, and the chill of memories pierces Idril to the core.
Necessity is the Mother of Invention by MisbehavingMaiar
The First Music goes off without a hitch; Arda is unmarred, and the Theme goes on and on without one dissonant voice in the choir.
Houses of Might by MisbehavingMaiar
Melkor reflects upon his past dwelling places, and the lessons learned in failure.
By the Margin of the Sea by StarSpray
After a very long journey, Elwing comes to Alqualondë.
The OTHER Lays of Beleriand by Aiwen
The Lays JRR Tolkien did not write for very good reasons. Part Eight: The Harp and other poems. MEFA 2010 nominee.
Forging Arda: in the Beginning by MisbehavingMaiar
Mairon, maia of Aulë, is given a body, a purpose, his tools, and a warning.
Crowns of Holly by Kitt Otter
Gil-galad and Círdan attend mid-summer festivities in Eregion. An unwelcome guest crashes the party.
Vana's Day by Tehta
Some people are naturally good at romance. Others struggle with it, even when surrounded by flowers, love songs, and heart-shaped cakes. Guess which group is featured in this story?
(The usual caveat applies: these are my versions of these characters, and my version of Gondolin, and so might not be to everyone's taste.)
Mother of the Flame by Kaylee Arafinwiel
As the rebellious Noldor begin to destroy themselves, one fëa in Mandos is forced to watch the destruction, and to know its source.
Night-time Encounters by Cirth
Finwë does not want Míriel's company. Drabble.
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.
The Commander by Cirth
Fëanor names his second son.
Evergreen by Fadesintothewest
Findekáno explores the new lands of Middle Earth, coming to terms with what it means to call this place home. Written for B2MeM 2014.
Copper and Cinders by Elisif
In the aftermath of the Dagor Bragollach, Lady Maedhris attempts to console her next-to-youngest sister over the loss of her musical compositions in the dragon-fire.
Revels in Silence by Elleth
Níniel meets a wraith at night. Written for the Hearts in Council fic fest.
The Beast by Ugly Duchess
A nightmare of an Elf, one of Finrod’s companions, in his new life.
Phantom limb by Dilly
Maedhros, phantom limb. (drabble)
A Quiet Life by rawr_balrog
Long after the final ship has come to harbor, the Valar have mercy, and release some of the longest dead from the Halls of Mandos. Maedhros is among the last.
