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
Dip the Ladle
Tolkien had many tales, places, and artists who inspired his work. For this challenge, prompts invite creating a fanwork using one of Tolkien's influences. 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
The Music of the Metals by Cirdan
Celebrimbor broke his mother's necklaces. Feanor goes to scold him and ends up taking him to the forge. There, Celebrimbor learns to forge for the first time. Aule visits and tests Celebrimbor.
The Mound of Tears by Cirdan
Maedhros goes in search of Fingon's dead body after the Nirnaeth.
The Hope of the Eldar by Cirdan
Maglor watches Maedhros consign his Silmaril to its right place in the earth. Then Maglor casts his Silmaril into the waters.
The Healing Hand by Cirdan
Finrod catches onto the fact that Maedhros feels crappy and helps him feel better.
The Full Tragedy of the Kinslaying by Cirdan
Elros and Elrond must decide their fates at the end of the First Age. Maglor comes Eonwe's camp and reveals that the Elves can stay in Middle-earth for a while longer. Maglor then sings of the full tragedy of the Kinslaying at Alqualonde.
The Eighth by Cirdan
Nerdanel and Maglor have a short little talk as Maglor helps his mother prepare for Finarfin's wedding.
Tears of Joy by Cirdan
Romance story between Maedhros and Nienna.
Paradise Lost by Cirdan
The Feanorian version of the Silmarillion.
Maedhros the Red-haired Elfie by Cirdan
Maedhros the Red-haired Elfie to the tune of Rudolf the Red-nosed Reindeer
Kurufinwe and Arakano by Cirdan
Fic about Celebrimbor and Argon.
Iluvatar's Love by Cirdan
After casting himself into the fiery chasm, Maedhros meets Iluvatar, has a theological lecture, and learns of love and Arda Remade.
Grieving for the Marring of Feanor by Cirdan
Aule and Mahtan grieve for the marring of Feanor, whom they love despite his faults.
Futilities of Futilities by Cirdan
A Maedhros angsting story. With the Silmaril in hand, he gets to ponder life before throwing himself into the fiery chasm. Not his glorious "Me miserable!" version. But hey, it's why I loved him even before I knew he was beautiful.
Frodo the Super-small by Cirdan
Hobbits in the First Age, and Frodo helps Maedhros.
Forging Gold and Sleeping Dragon by Cirdan
Maglor and Kongming chat. Knowledge of Three Kingdoms is required to more fully appreciate this fic.
Following the Hasty-riser by Cirdan
This is the tale of Gwindor, son of Guilin, as he grows under the tutelage of Celegorm. Although Gwindor is loyal to Celegorm, he ends up staying in Nargothrond.
Father Figure by Cirdan
Story about Ingwion, third son of Ingwe, and Feanor.
Fated Twins by Cirdan
Amrod and Amras go to the Havens of Sirion. Morgoth attacks. They help fight against Morgoth and save Elros and Elrond.
Child of Dawn by Cirdan
Maedhros hears that Aredhel is being held against her will by Eol and goes to rescue her. Maeglin watches as Maedhros and Eol fight it out.
Birth Order by Cirdan
What if Maedhros had been the youngest son of Feanor and Maglor the eldest? The Silmarillion would be different, no doubt.
Baby Maedhros by Cirdan
Maedhros reflecting on when he was a baby.
Aulendil, Lover of Aule by Cirdan
Celebrimbor convinces Durin to join the War of Wrath. Celebrimbor decides to fight under the standards of the Dwarves instead of those of the Elves.
Abandoning Middle-Earth by Cirdan
Maedhros and Maglor are driven out of Eastern Beleriand. They flee to the Falas with Elros, Elrond, Legolas, Gimli, and other followers. Cirdan meets them and ferries them to the Isle of Balar.
