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
Elf Falls into Modern-earth
Create a fanwork in which a Silmarillion character ends up in the modern world. 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 Choice by Ithilwen
A conversation between a pair of brothers, reflecting on the choices they've made in their lives. Takes place near the beginning of the Second Age.
The Dancers by Elleth
A ghostly night long after the fall of Gondolin. 'Poetry'.
All Else Lost by Keiliss
In a changed world there was one thing that remained untouched by time or distance.
Disturbance by Lyra
Manwë has to deal with unexpected doubts, and... disturbs the universe.
Written for the B2MeM prompt, "Do I dare disturb the universe?"
Leaflets by Raksha The Demon
An anthology of ficlets, mostly in multiples of 100 words, here all together for the first time. (Forbidden Fruit makes its first appearance at a public archive) Open-ended.
The Thoughts of Trees by Lyra
Daeron finds that his silent listeners have grown tired of silence.
Triple drabble (Tribble?) written for the B2MeM 2009 prompt, "Imagine this! You are walking in the woods and sudden a tree whispers to you ..."
Gathering the Heroes by Moreth
Written for B2Me Prompt 2: "What is the most tedious, routine work that you have to do?" Túrin gets a really long and tedious job!
Flights of Fancy by Ithilwen
"And thence at times the Firstborn still would come sailing to Númenor in oarless boats… And they brought to Númenor many gifts: birds of song, and fragrant flowers, and herbs of great virtue." (Akallabêth). Ever wonder what the Elves of Tol Eressëa might have brought back from those sightseeing trips? AU for some deliberately added anachronisms.
The Echo of Your Lamentation by Ithilwen
Maedhros and Fingon have a conversation about the Valar. Warning: Adult themes.
Necessary Sacrifices by Ithilwen
After his rescue, Maedhros has a decision to make. Which will he sacrifice in the end: his pride, or his vengeance?
The New World by Lyra
Fingon experiences the first-ever sunrise. Originally published for the "30 years Silmarillion" celebrations on LJ.
Touching the Stars by Moreth
Learning to make a fire...
Captive of Fate by Ithilwen
Maedhros reflects while hanging from Thangorodrim
Of Leaves of Gold and Petals Red: A Faery Tale by Ithilwen
A Silmarillion-based adaptation of a classic Scottish folk ballad
Taking the Sword by Ithilwen
Maedhros learns the art of swordfighting, and discovers his true talent.
If Wishes Were Horses by Ithilwen
Maedhros and Fingon meet for the first time.
Fire and Ice by Naltariel
Aegnor meets Feanor in Mandos. Nominated for MEFA 2009.
No Regrets by clotho123
An Eärendil vignette exploring why he was fated to sail the skies. A little odd, and a little bleak.
The Men Who Would Be Kings by SurgicalSteel
In the late Second Age, a merchant from Belfalas comes to an agreement with new arrivals from downfallen Númenor.
Into Exile by Aiwen
Elendil's arrival in Middle Earth, and his first meeting with the Elves.
The Good, the Bad, and the Queen by Robinka
Shortly after the council in Mithrim, a lone messenger enters Doriath, seeking a privilege of King Elwë's audience. Is he another talebearer? Or perhaps he does play a main role in the Noldor's diplomacy.
A "what-if" story written for the challenge "Many meetings", also for Back to Middle Earth Month, Day 24th: Favorite quote. Inspired by the challenge "And if they'd had a chat" at Open Scrolls Archive.
