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] The Mirror Crack'd by AdmirableMonster
Rescued from a brutal Angband hunt, an ex-thrall with a strange and powerful artifact embedded in his spine is brought to Himring, for it is one of the only places in Beleriand which welcomes such folk. Though he has no memories of his life before, Anniavas slowly becomes accustomed to his new…
[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
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
Duel of Songs
Try your hand at poetry for National Poetry Month. 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 General
Trust and Secrets by wind rider
What might be hidden in a set of caves? What might be hidden in one’s mind? And what did a young escort get to do with it all? – Finrod went to the caves of Narog to explore and map out the area, and Elu Thingol only gave him one single escort who was just barely the age of majority. But perhaps, there was something deeper than even the deepest cave there?
Sonnet- Maedhros to Fingon by avi17
For B2MeM 2012. Prompts- "Grief," "Childhood Sweethearts," and "Unconditional Love."
Of Night and Light and The Half-light by oshun
This is a place for short contributions or graphics (mostly but not all from Back-to-Middle-earth Month 2012). The title is from "He Wishes For The Cloths Of Heaven" by William Butler Yeats. Some are serious and some are silly.
Added "Death of Arvedui" graphic.
Waiting for the Thunder by Kimberleighe
A lost moment between husband and wife after the Darkening of Valinor.
The Proposal by lindahoyland
Nerdanel has a suitor
Sanctuary by wind rider
Huan just wants to guard his mistress and guide her to his master. Sirius just wants to see his godson again and probably catch some particular rat. But how if they meet somewhere in the middle?
Too White, Too Dark by wind rider
Not everything can be fended off by the powers of the Elven Rings, as the inhabitants of Imladris unwittingly attested one particularly-gloomy day in the Fell Winter of 2911. All white, all dark – and memories which should have been buried resurfaced again, memories of a long-ago time in a place more vicious and ruthless than even the raging storm itself.
In a High Place by wind rider
Everything is relative in the world, including superiority, purity of blood and safety. Too bad the Malfoy patriarch does not realise it sooner. Being thrown down from high places – literally or figuratively – hurts, much.
Justice and Death by Gwenniel
There are Oaths that need to be fulfilled, there are quests that cannot be avoided. Caranthir knows that a sooner or later he and his brothers have to go to Doriath to regain the Silmaril.
Righteous Deeds by Gwenniel
Banished from Nargothrond: the story of Curufin and Celegorm as they arrive to Himring and face the matter of telling the truth behind Finrod's death to their elder brothers. However, the death of Finrod is not the only issue - it is a many-layered problem concerning righteousness and loyalty.
The Begetting Day Gift by Gwenniel
Fingolfin persuades Feanor to make something nice for Finarfin's begetting day. Feanor, the mastermind, is devious and poor Finarfin is in for a nasty surprise...
Lord of Gifts by lindahoyland
Sauron has plans for the future.
Two Small Pieces of Glass by Ellynn
One day, while working in her studio, an elleth discovers something extraordinary and invents one very special device.
Blessing of the Spirit by Iavalir
For many years Maglor suffered alone in the sea, singing his lament, till the day he heard Beleg’s song.
A Thief in Valinor? by Iavalir
Is there a theif in Valinor?
Written for Tolkien Weekly drabble challenge.
The Noldolante by Elvewen
Maglor's thoughts as he played the Noldolante for the first time.
Elemental Spirits by Beatrisu
Maedhros likens some of his loved ones to the elements.
Surrender after the War of Wrath by Uvatha the Horseman
This story explores Sauron's motives for surrendering after the War of Wrath, and for failing to show up for trial. It also explores Eönwë's, for letting him.
Lending a Hand - Redux by Erulisse
I wanted this to be sharper and to explain Isildur's feelings towards the elves with greater clarity. So I refined this a bit more. This is what I came up with.
What thoughts are passing through Isildur’s mind after his defeat of Sauron? A bit of gallows humor in response to the prompt “lend”.
Fall of Sauron by xxxVilda
Sauron the bad guy was good in the end, wasn't he? A take on Sauron's kin's feelings about his fall.
Isles of sleep by Aerlinn
And in the twilight a great weariness came upon mariners and a loathing of the sea.
Some will sleep until the very end of the world. Not every Valinorean explorer returns.
The Temptation of Knowledge by Erulisse
In response to the prompt “borrow”, what did Celebrimbor think about when he was facing Annatar for the first time? Did he think he was borrowing trouble?
Unexpected Gratitude - Re-examining Exile by Erulisse
It is told that Fëanáro was exiled to Formenos for threatening his half-brother with a sword. But what was Fëanáro’s true feeling when seeing his place of exile? A response to the prompt “Unexpected Gratitude”.
