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
Forest's Rulers by Erulisse
For Tolkien Weekly’s Fell Beasts Challenge - Spiders
Because it is National Poetry Month, I present a poem drabble for Spiders...
Mighty Sword by lanyon
Turgon looks back.
A Crash Course in History by Himring
Maedhros reads The Lord of the Rings (the Imladris edition).
In honour of Oshun, Biographer-in-Chief, on the occasion of her birthday.
Fingon/Maedhros.
Now a MEFA 2011 nominee. Thank you very much, Angelica!
The Feast of Reuniting by oshun
Written to the prompt to start a story with Charles Dickens' opening line from A Tale of Two Cities: "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times." (Perhaps, it could be read as a non-spoilery trailer for my Mereth Aderthad.)
Survival of the Fittest by Erulisse
Tolkien Weekly's Fell Beasts - Wargs challenge. A true drabble.
Poppies for Idril by Erulisse
A story for H-A List's 9th Anniversary. The ninth wedding anniversary features Copper, Leather, Poppies and Lapis Lazuli. Here is my birthday gift for the list.
To Place Oneself above Loyalty or Betrayal by oshun
Write a story where the characters have to decide between loyalty or betrayal. Celebrimbor makes his choice at Nargothrond. I’m pushing a little here to squeeze out a few more passport stamps for myself. For March 9, B2MeM 2011, Nargothrond.
Spring Cleaning by Russandol
One day during the Noontide of the Blessed Realm, Manwë and Varda get ready for a celebration at Ilmarin, their halls upon the peak of Taniquetil.
Written for B2MeM 2011, Day 31: Valinor.
2nd Place, Humour: General & Smaug's Treasure, MEFA 2011
Dawn Felagund recorded a fabulous podfic for Spring Cleaning, listen to it here!
B2ME Day 31 - Stupidity by Erulisse
B2ME Day 31 - Stupidity. Stupid is as stupid does.
B2ME Day 30 - Leaving or Returning Home by Erulisse
B2ME Day 30 - Leaving or Returning Home. Homecoming in a true drabble.
B2ME Day 29 - Battling the Dark by Erulisse
B2ME - Battling the Dark - The trees are dead and the Noldor have left. Who is left to pick up the pieces?
Look Homeward Angel by oshun
Day 30: Grey Havens -- Write a story or poem, or create a piece of art on the theme of leaving or returning home. A moment of domesticity with Elros, Elrond, Maglor and Maedhros.
B2ME Day 28 - Letters by Erulisse
B2ME Day 28 - Letters. A letter written to be delivered in Valinor.
Love and other forbidden things by tinni
A Maedhros/Fingon romance
B2ME Day 27 - Following a Dream by Erulisse
B2ME Day 27 - Following a Dream. Alqualonde from a personal perspective.
The Talebearer by erunyauve
A very neglected son of Finarfin has a moment in the sun.
B2ME Day 26 - Character Expression by Erulisse
B2ME Day 26 - Character Expression. What is really going through Huan's head?
B2ME Day 25 - Shards of Glass by Erulisse
B2ME Day 25 - Shards of Glass. A gift from a cherished daughter has shattered, reflecting her shattered dreams.
B2ME Day 24 - Animal Symbols by Erulisse
B2ME Day 24 - Animal Symbols. Maitimo wants to commission a special gift for his cousin, Findekano.
But Maybe That Was The Light Of The Trees by Nekomitsu
In response to the B2MeM 2011 challenge: Maglor's long life in thirty-one short vignettes.
B2ME Day 23 - Avoiding the Tower by Erulisse
B2ME Day 23 - Avoiding the Tower. Not all interactions between characters in Middle Earth are fraught with danger.
B2ME Day 22 - Refugees by Erulisse
B2ME Day 22 - A story about refugees. Not all elves who left the east actually travelled to the West. A story of one of the "dark" elves.
B2ME Day 21 - East and West by Erulisse
B2ME Day 21 - East and West. The journey to the West is interrupted for one elf, for a very long time.
B2ME Day 20 - Making a Decision by Erulisse
B2ME Day 20 - Making a Decision. A mother's request will affect the life and death of her son.
