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
Words of Wit and Wisdom
J.R.R. Tolkien wasn’t just the creator of Middle-earth. He was also a scholar of philology. One of his first jobs was with the Oxford English Dictionary, where he was assigned a welter of words beginning with W. In this month’s challenge, we’re presenting you a bingo card with Prof. Tolkien’s W words we hope will inspire a wealth of wonder, wit, worldbuilding, and general whimsy. 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
Five things that never happened to Nerdanel by Meril
A quick character exercise: five short AUs for Nerdanel.
A Smile by Aria
"Yet neither bread nor rest would [Orodreth] grant to Celegorm and Curufin within his realm, and he swore that there would be little love between Nargothrond and the Sons of Fëanor thereafter.
‘Let it be so!' Said Celegorm, and there was a light of menace in his eyes; but Curufin smiled [...] In that time Celebrimbor the son of Curufin repudiated the deeds of his father, and remained in Nargothrond."
A study of a father and son, with a momentous decision.
Teler by Dawn Felagund
After the Darkening of Valinor, a Telerin Elf looks back at the days of light. For National Poetry Month.
Feanorians by Vicki_Turner
In honor of it being National Poetry month, I tried a new form of poetry. Its a seven line poem, and each line begins with the same letter. What better form to write something about than seven sons of Feanor?
Fire by Tarion Anarore
Another B2MEM 08 submission, this one about Losgar. A possible glimpse into the thoughts and motivations of the "gentle" second son of Fëanor who did not, in fact, stand aside.
The Revenge of Curufin's Horse by Moreth
How that 'Song of Parting' made it to the public domain... The Himring Codex version.
To Write A Song by Tarion Anarore
Debuted in B2MEM after being properly aged. A double drabble on songwriting.
Gwindor's Love by Rianna
Gwindor dreams about his beloved Finduilas. A double drabble.
The Sky Is Over by Robinka
For the challenge "Within the Pages of Lore", a glimpse at Finrod, dedicated to my friend and fellow writer Rianna.
Out, Damn'd Spot! Out, I Say! by Alassante
Like Lady MacBeth, Celebrimbor discovers how much blood is in a body, so much so that water cannot wash it easily away.
For OSA Drabble challenge - Water Also, dedicated to Dawn Felagund for being forgiving and protective like Uncle Maedhros.
2008 MEFA Winner - 2nd Place Elves: Noldor Fixed-Length Ficlets
The Eastern Sea (III) by Gadira
Part III of the Númenor Seas series, for the Sea Voyage challenge. Yehimelkor, the last High Priest of Melkor, stares at the sea thar robbed him of a loved one and bears his fate proudly.
The Dance by Dawn Felagund
A light, sweet version of how Nerdanel and Fëanáro first realized their love for each other. 2008 MEFA nominee.
Thicker Than Water by Noliel
Celebrimbor is told of Curufin's death in an accidental moment.
Where the Heart Is by Noliel
Maglor wanders physically, seeks subconsciously, and finds. Really.
Unweaving the Rainbow by pandemonium_213
The student of Nienna takes issue with the servant of Aulë's study of light.
MEFA 2009: Second Place - Genres: Ficlets: General
Lessons from the Mountain by MithLuin
What happened to the spirit of Maedhros when he died?
A Gift for a King by Dawn Felagund
Just after Fingolfin's birth, Fëanor makes a gift for his father. For Oloriel.
Full Brothers in Blood by oshun
Gift story for Dawn Felagund, Christmas 2007, Fingon and Turgon as young brothers. Honorable Mention, MEFA 2008
The Election Farce of Nargothrond: Of Dumbness, Treachery, and Brotherly Love by Dawn Felagund
A satirical look at how an election for the King of Nargothrond might have gone based on current political events. Silly, irreverent, and full of bad metaphors. Updated especially for Fanged Geranium.
Santa Claus (or whatever happened to Maglor...) by ford_of_bruinen
Maglor has carved out a new life for himself as one of the most famous figures in the modern world...
The Coronation by Dawn Felagund
For Allie, Nerdanel, Finarfin, and Eärwen on the day of Finarfin's coronation.
Midwinter Sweetness by ford_of_bruinen
These are two different stories, the first one was a Christmas tale for Christmas 2004 and retells the Christmas Story in a Second Age setting. The second one is a very short ficlet written as a Christmas present the following year for Keiliss and Ilye, using their favourite pairing.
Warnings: There are some VERY mild slash references in the two stories and one of the stories need an MPreg warning... just cos it would not be the same take on the christmas story without it.
To Forgive by Dawn Felagund
For Rinnor, three fixed-length ficlets about forgiveness among the Noldor: Feanor on forgiving his half-brother, Maedhros on pardoning the mistakes baby brothers make, and Fingolfin on why forgiveness is essential for the Noldor to defeat Morgoth.
Why by Tarion Anarore
In answer to the question, "Maglor, why didn't you rescue Maedhros; why did the poor chap have to wait for cousin Fingon to go get him?" posed by Jillian Baade at the LiveJournal site.
My response to the "Ask a Character" challenge, from the beginning of days (before monthly newsletters, even!).
