New Challenge: Title Track
Tolkien's titles range from epic to lyrical to metaphorical. This month's challenge selected 125 of them as prompts for fanworks.
SWG News
Our Annual Amnesty Challenge: New Year's Resolution
Start 2026 off with creativity! If you missed a challenge or didn't get to finish or post a challenge fanwork, complete any 2025 challenge before 15 February to receive the stamp.
"The Fëanorian Zine" Available to Read and Download
We are pleased to be able to offer "The Fëanorian Zine" to read and download on the SWG for free.
Call for Artists for the 2026 Challenge Stamps
We are soliciting help from artists who want to help create the stamps we award to challenge participants.
New & Updated Fanworks
[Writing] In Early Spring by Serinquanion
In what Maedhros was re-embodied early and was sent back to Middle Earth on his volition with Glorfindel.
This isn't about what happened right then but years after Fall of Sauron when he still refused to return to Valinor.
He found a strange sapling at the shore of what remains of…
[Writing] Umnenyalië by Serinquanion
He was going to die. The molten rocks would burn him just like the cursed gem in his palm did. Maybe less painfully but still being burnt hurt and Maedhros knew it. He intimately knew it from his time in Angband where Þauron burnt him often in frustration and to toy with him and his master…
[Writing] Winter Warmth by Serinquanion
A winter night in Himring. But inside the quarters where fire blazed in hearth was warmer, and not only from the fire or quilt.
[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] Who Will Hear Me? by XirinOfArvada
A lonely elf finds a flute half buried beneath the sand and wonders if its owner will hear him when he calls.
[Writing] Loyal, Faithful by Himring
Late in the Second Age, one of the Faithful reflects critically on past developments. (Free verse.)
[Writing] East Away! by Flora-lass
Aldarion storms off towards Middle-earth. For the Title Track challenge.
Current Challenge
Title Track
Create a fanwork using our collection of 125 titles from Tolkien's books, chapters, essays, poems, and fragments as inspiration. Read more ...
Random Challenge
Middle-earth Is Multitudes
Use our daily prompt calendar to populate your fanworks with a more diverse array of characters. Read more ...
New in References
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.
Twilight, Child Of: Comparisons Between Tinúviel, Lómion, and Undómiel by JazTheBard
This presentation for Mereth Aderthad 2025 discusses the many similarities between Tolkien's three "twilight children," Tinúviel, Lómion, and Undómiel (Luthien, Maeglin, and Arwen) in terms of appearance, plot, and cultural background. Yet these three characters play very different roles in the text.
The Aromantic in Tolkien by daughterofshadows
Presented at Mereth Aderthad 2025, this paper makes the case thata, although the term "aromantic" had not yet been coined in Tolkien's day, many of his characters can be read as aromantic. The paper takes a closer look at Aredhel, Bilbo, and Boromir as three examples of characters who can be read as aromantic.
Featured Themed Collection
Beyond the Silmarillion
[Writing] here you will dwell, bound to your grief by Elrond's Library
Arwen grieves, and loves.
[Writing] Faramir's Verse by losselen
“Come, Faramir. Let us not stand in ceremony. I think words are due between you and I, and not only those between a King and his Steward.”
Faramir has speech with Gandalf and his King.
[Writing] In a Hole in the Ground... by StarSpray
“There’s a goblin hiding in the taters, Dad!” Pippin hefted the pan, which was much too big for him to carry, let alone wield.
Around the World and Web
March Challenge - Tolkien Short Fanworks
Tolkien Short Fanworks is running a challenge for the month of March to create a Back to Middle-earth Month themed challenge.
Tolkien Fashion Week 2026
This two-week-long Tumblr event is dedicated to honoring the world of fashion and textiles Tolkien wrote about in his books.
Celegorm and Curufin Week 2026
Celegorm and Curufin Week is a Tumblr week celebrating the relationship between Celegorm and Curufin Feanorion
Back to Middle-earth Month 2026
Back to Middle-earth Month is returning for it's 20th year with many prompts and archival efforts.
Fanworks Tagged with General
Like his Father in Valour by chrissystriped
Eärnur fights the Witch-king and is offered a choice.
Our son and king by daughterofshadows
Three perspectives on Ereinion Gil-Galad.
I Will Hold Your Hand Forever by LadySternchen
A course through time with my most beloved king and queen.
the raging storm of a foreign war, and a face i'd seen before by arafinweanappreciation
“Tell me…” the exhausted king said, looking directly into the commander’s eyes. He was covered in grime, soot and dirt, ash and blood, mud and sweat. His eyes were haunted. The War took its toll, after all, the very ground itself turning against them. The ruby light of the flames only served to reveal their hollowness. “The forces here. The orcs. Never before have I ridden against a host who parts and flees at the very sight of me. Why do they do so now?”
Meetings, Farewells, and Parting Gifts by Erdariel
Morgoth has been defeated and the War of Wrath is over. Eärendil has to return to his task of sailing the Void beyond the world, but first he wants to see his sons again. Hugs and talking happen
The Son Still Shines by cuarthol
The War brings Finarfin close to the ruins of Nargothrond where Finrod once ruled.
It is dark one inch ahead of you by TexasDreamer01
They needed to move on, to settle - to weather this tentative peace. Looking upon this valley, he thought that perhaps it could be done.
The Ruling Queens of Númenor by Himring
Part of our Themed Collection series for our newsletter, this collection features fanworks about the three ruling queens of Númenor: Tar-Ancalimë, Tar-Telperiën, and Tar-Vanimeldë.
TRSB24: Until the Stars Are All Alight by Lathalea
This is my second art entry for the TRSB24 event. It focuses on Thorin Oakenshield surviving BOTFA and darker themes of pyrrhic victory, dragon sickness, longevity/eternity, angst/love.
TRSB24: Dwarf Women of the East by Lathalea
This is one of my art entries for the TRSB24 event. It focuses on the Dwarves living in the East, specifically Dwarf-women.
The Kingsword by Kaylee Arafinwiel
After the War of the Last Alliance of Elves and Men, the young King Thranduil steals away for an evening of solace at The Mysterious Deer, hoping none will disturb him. He listens to a minstrel singing a legend that strikes rather close to home.
Celegorm - Treelight in his eyes by Gabriel
Character portrait of Celegorm Feanorian
Psamathos' Cove by StarSpray
Art for TRSB 2024! Featuring Psamathos' cove from Roverandom, and Psamathos himself if you know where to look.
AllyThistle wrote a delightful fic, Once Upon A Time On Psamathos' Cove, to accompany it. <333
Where have you gone, my friend? by elennalore
Eönwë in Almaren after Mairon went missing.
Much Sorrow and Many Lives of Men by sallysavestheday
Arvedui in Forochel.
Telperion by wisteria53
A quote from the Quenta Silmarillion, Chapter 1 for the Tolkien Reverse Summer Bang (artwork number 45 for TRSB 2024).
Sun flowering by wisteria53
A quote from the Quenta Silmarillion, Chapter 13 for the Tolkien Reverse Summer Bang (artwork number 19 for TRSB 2024).
All Unquiet by mouse
Idril disagrees with the king’s decision to execute Eol. Written for the SWG challenge Kings & Queens.
Shards of a Line Unbroken by polutropos
At the gates of Edoras, Aragorn tells the guard that Narsil was forged by Telchar, the great dwarven smith of the First Age. How did this ancient heirloom come into the hands of Elendil, king of the Realms in Exile?
Written for the SWG challenge Kings & Queens (as well as Akallabeth in August), and part of my Weapons series, the rest of which is on AO3.
Come Back To the Valley by Himring
On some days, maybe, we just get homesick for that Last Homely House?
An invitation to return to Rivendell.
Summer Celebration by between_thepages
Amarië and Finrod are dancing together during a celebration of summer.
Meeting the In-Laws by awwyeah107
Caranthir is nervous about meeting Haleth’s father and brother for the first time. Haleth is sure everything will go well.
The Noldolantë (Sirion verses) by Tehta
The third kinslaying, as a musical.
Please do not take this too seriously. The writer certainly doesn't.
Grass is Still Growing by StarSpray
When he spoke his voice was as sweet as a nightingale’s song and his words were thoughtful and kind, and Celebrían thought to herself even as he bowed over her hand, I am going to marry him.
My thoughts on Finwë by Aprilertuile
Just developping here my thoughts on Finwë, king of the noldor of Tirion.
