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
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
A Disgustingly Adorable Interlude in An Otherwise Perfectly Sad Piece of Silmarillion Fanfiction by Agelast
What it says on the tin. Also, some thought is given to tax policy.
Father-Names by Finch
Maglor, rembembering the fate of Dior's sons, sets out to search for the sons of Elwing after the attack on the Havens of Sirion.
Cause and Effect by Erulisse
After the destruction of the stable, the Lord demands an answer… A response to the prompt: A Comedy of Errors.
Questioning the Oath by Erulisse
Summary: On the eve of leaving Tirion for Alqualondë and Middle-earth, Fëanáro anguishes over his Oath and his choice.
The Wisdom of Isildur by Marnie
After Gil-Galad's death, Elrond and Celeborn talk power, allegiances and rings.
Spectrums by wind rider
Trying to answer my own set of challenges; "100 Prompts." A collection of drabbles (from true drabbles to triple drabbles, according to MS Word) spanning the Beginning to the First Age, told through various scenes, in the point of viewof various characters – Elves, Men, Ainur, Dwarves, Ents, animals, and even orcs; not chronologically. Ratings may vary. Enjoy!
Rowing Through Rough Waters by Erulisse
Summary – While taking refuge from politics by staying with relatives, Helyanwë discovers rough waters can exist in different forms.
Little Golden Age by Agelast
And what of Fingon's wife?
Epilogue - A Fairy Story by Lipstick
Maedhros and Maglor reunite at the end of times - or almost.
Someone to Claim Us, Someone to Follow by Agelast
It's especially sad when a doomed man has a sense of humor.
His Baby Blues by Erulisse
Summary: The day after an unexpected event, Eilian (Helyanwë) reflects back over the event and her reaction
Fixed Length Fictlet, Word Count: 287
Changing Roles by Erulisse
A long-time relationship of friendship, changes to a relationship of romance. Will the friendship survive the change? Written for TW Challenge Word: Running.
Quo Vadis? by Tehta
As Gondolin burns, Salgant—ever an artist—chooses his fate.
Left Behind by alquawende
Amarie reminisces about Finrod and must make a difficult decision.
A Lonely Bride by alquawende
Erendis reflects upon her life.
Mother and Daughter by Deborah Judge
On Elven gender, Maedhros, textual transmission, and the parentage of Gil-galad.
Arrows of Love by Erulisse
It is written that Fëanáro first met Nerdanel when working in the forge of her father, Mahtan, as an apprentice. Did she fall in love with him right away? Here is one possibility. Written for Tolkien Weekly prompt “archery”.
Too Long a Winter by clotho123
Mid-winter at Himring was never going to be all peace and goodwill
Mother and Friend by Erulisse
In the days of their youth, Huan's rescue turns into a lifelong friendship and a family legend. A story for ALEC - winner of 2nd place, May 2011
Fair and Foul by DrummerWench
Here's a tale for the "With a Bit of Fairy Dust" Challenge. It's part of my ongoing series "Fairy Tales of Middle-earth", which can be found here. I hope you enjoy it!
Through the Darkness Unescapable by Valiniel
The Alkallabeth was written as a history, but histories rarely reveal the whole truth. What was the truth behind the life of Tar Miriel, last queen of Numenor?
For the Ladies by Erulisse
A question is posed when Erestor observes Glorfindel’s wife teaching their daughter how to plait her hair. A drabble written in response to TW prompt “plait”.
Passing the Test by Erulisse
Returning to a place that she used to love, Helyanwë experiences doubt. Written for Tolkien Weekly's drabble challenge "condition".
