Cultus Dispatches: Revelations from Marquette's Fanzine Dataset
In September 2026, Marquette University released a dataset about their Tolkien fanzine collection. Analysis of the data reveals what these fanzines contained and show how pre-internet Tolkien fandom responded to the publication of "The Silmarillion."
SWG News
New Challenge: Unquote
Choose a prompt from our selection of misheard, miswritten, and misrepresented unquotes that are in no way part of the actual "Silmarillon."
Site Etiquette Update: Fandom and Money
We have updated our policy in our Site Etiquette around linking to sites that collect money.
Character of the Month: Eönwë
This month's biography focuses on Eönwë, who started with a variety of identities but settled into the role of Manwë's herald, exemplifying the values of strong leadership and justice.
New & Updated Fanworks
[Writing] In Those Days by Dagstjarna
Young Nerdanel and Fëanor’s friendship blossoms.
[Writing] One Flesh, One Soul. Part I by FellFireFan
An elven prince stands against the looming shadows of Angband. Brother of Galadriel, Aegnor is as beautiful as he is deadly. A fierce warrior with a reputation to match, who commands the respect of all the Noldorin princes and all who look upon him. However, beneath his iron shell, lies a…
[Writing] The Day Transcending Night by StarSpray
The Rings have been forged. The armies of Mordor are marching into Eriador. Eregion burns.
Far away from it all, by the shores of the Sea, Celegorm remembers his name.
[Writing] The Heart Finds its Morning by StarSpray
Then the door opened. Celebrimbor sat up—and blinked. Whoever he had expected, it was not his cousin Finduilas, who closed the door gently behind her and turned to him with a smile. “Hello, Cousin. Am I intruding?”
“No, of course not.” Celebrimbor rose to take her hand. “I’m always glad…
[Writing] A falling star by Novenoe
Eärendil and Elwing have some trouble with a shooting star in the sky
[Writing] The Messenger and his Donkey by Himring
Lamaen, a Sinda of Hithlum and royal messenger, returns to his routine and re-joins his usual companion. (A vignette.)
[Writing] Nasyalossë by Lovimmy3365
Erestor lay up against a tree, brown washed to black in the wet of the snow. The black disc of the new moon sailed across the dark sky. Erestor wished it were gone. He had no need to look into dark eyes any longer.
He was dying.
(AKA Erestor unwittingly travels back in time to the…
Current Challenge
Unquote
Choose a prompt from our selection of misheard, miswritten, and misrepresented unquotes that are in no way part of the actual "Silmarillon." Read more ...
Random Challenge
Back To The Future
This month's challenge asks you to put a character, culture, or place in Arda in the Seventh Age. When the Seventh Age actually is--is it right now? in the future? or was Tolkien totally wrong and it's actually passed?--is completely up to you. Read more ...
New in References
Fandom before the Time of the Trees: Revelations from Marquette's Fanzine Dataset by Dawn Walls-Thumma
In September 2026, Marquette University released a dataset about their Tolkien fanzine collection. Analysis of the data reveals what these fanzines contained and show how pre-internet Tolkien fandom responded to the publication of "The Silmarillion."
Across the history of the "Silmarillion," Eönwë's role settles on a character who leads without taking upon himself the power to mete out justice and who acts with equanimity across some of the most harrowing conflicts in the early legendarium.
Speak Friend and Enter: Trends in Fandom Entry Year by Dawn Walls-Thumma
Across three surveys and ten years, the Tolkien Fanfiction Survey has document when authors began writing. These data reveal trends in how film promotions, the films themselves, the books, and other historical contexts have influenced not only who writes but how long they stay.
Featured Themed Collection
Beyond the Silmarillion
[Writing] For a Better World by Ellynn
Thirteen years before the War of the Ring, an orcling — more intelligent and more curious than most — is born in Mordor. His curiosity will lead him to both incredible discoveries and perilous situations, all of which will shape him into a leader unlike any Mordor has ever known. But to become…
[Writing] IN THE SHIRE-RECKONING by Diane Finnis-Robb
-This novel was completed for Hobbit Day 2026 and will be updated in serialized fashion here as I make final edits; so feedback is very much welcome.
-It is a multi-generational novel spanning a period of time from the formation of the Shire to the Great Plague in Year Thirty-six and…
[Writing] Sun on the Daisies by StarSpray
“Oh.” Frodo’s voice was soft, almost more sigh than sound. “Sam, look.”
Around the World and Web
14th International Tolkien Mailing Competition
The Hungarian Tolkien Society invites you to join the international “Quendi” category of the Tolkien Mailing Competition: five rounds of quizzes, riddles and creative tasks. This category is organised in English, open to any individual participant, and also to teams of 2–5 people. The five rounds of the competition will last from November to April.
Tolkien Food Week 2026
fandom event from the 2-8th nov 2026 where we share recipes, fics and comfort food for body and soul.
The White Oliphaunt 2026
The White Oliphaunt gift exchange, a yearly event where Tolkien fans sign up to exchange humorous gifts with each other.
Glorfindel Week 2026
A Tumblr fandom week dedicated to the elf Glorfindel.
Silmarillion Secret Stockings 2026
A fandom event to celebrate the end of year holidays with prompt-based gifts.
Fanworks Tagged with General
Love in Spades by Rocky41_7
Maedhros considers the role of sex and romance in his life and receives support from unexpected quarters.
when the cold wind rolls in from the north by Arveldis
As the Bragollach rages, Andreth waits.
[podfic] Bookkeeper by Chestnut_pod, StarSpray
Elanor sits down to make a copy of the Red Book.
an ecstatic accident by void and fire by Chestnut_pod
Follow the blue roads of Arda.
[podfic] With What a Glory by Chestnut_pod, StarSpray
Goldberry has a song for each season.
Finarfin, Idril Celebrindal and Anairë by Sirielle
Illustration to The House of Fëanor by Deborah Judge, inspired by The Silmarillion.
[podfic] As Though At Sea by Chestnut_pod
Lothíriel finds many things in Rohan unsettling, but none so much as her future sister-in-law.
The First Snow (illustration) by Sirielle
Maedhros. Illustration to "The First Snow", inspired by The Silmarillion.
Maedhros - Fëanor | Silmarillion | animated illustration by Sirielle
My Maedhros & Fëanor portraits morphing with "Let the Havens Burn" illustration in motion.
Pearl Diving by StarSpray
Daeron, Beleg, and Mablung go to the Falas for pearls to take back to Thingol.
Tolkien Fandom | Animated illustration with music (English subtitles) by Sirielle
My illustrations with a bit of life and music by DTH. English subtitles added for the lyrics in Polish. (More details in description.)
Tar-Míriel by Sirielle
Tar-Míriel, traditional media, A5, 2020.
Wonder of the Neighborhood by StarSpray
"The little silver nut [Sam] planted in the Party Field where the tree had once been; and he wondered what would come of it...
"Spring surpassed his wildest hopes...In the Party Field a beautiful young sapling leaped up: it had silver bark and long leaves and burst into golden flowers in April. it was indeed a mallorn, and it was the wonder of the neighborhood. in after years, as it grew in grace and beauty, it was known far and wide and people would come long journeys to see it: the only mallorn west of the Mountains and east of the Sea, and one of the finest in the world."
- The Return of the King, "The Grey Havens"
What Might Gnaw by Lferion
A riddle-sonnet contemplating the nature of that which, desperate, devours.
[podfic] Standing Together by Chestnut_pod
Nori's not really a protest sort of person. Dwalin, apparently, is.
Feast by ohboromir
As they prepare for a grand celebration, memories of the past return to haunt Gondolin’s royal family.
-
@gondolinweek Day 1: Feast - Idril, Eärendil, Turgon
[podfic] Ink and Steel by Chestnut_pod
Dwalin has the mountains under her skin.
[podfic] waving flares in the air by Chestnut_pod
The light enters the room before Éowyn does, a rolling dry heat with it; just enough warning for Faramir to close one book and open another. She enters hard on its heels. 'Hail, Steward, from the south fair tidings,' she says, pulling off her helm halfway through, so the words are muffled. 'I can’t stay long. I came to give you word of Harad and your brother.' (A Galadriel-accepts-the-ring AU.)
Eyes In The Dark by LadySternchen
-Arda is filled with "brownies, fays, pixies, leprawns, and what else are they not called, for their number is very great"-
Little Denethor is playing by the river, when he happens to look up into the trees. And the trees look back.
[podfic] Light Words About Nothing, And Other Rare Pleasures of Life by Chestnut_pod
“We can’t all be as pleasant as hobbits,” Dis said. The hobbit in question tossed her head back, black curls bouncing and glinting in the late afternoon light, and laughed.
“You’ve met few hobbits then,” she replied, still smiling. “I’ve often thought we’re the most contentious race in all the lands.”
“You’ve met few dwarves then." Dis was rewarded with more laughter, and then all of a sudden, the hobbit was plopping herself down on the bench beside Dis, fishing out her own pipe.
Dis meets an unexpected companion as she waits in Rivendell.
[podfic] Luminous by Chestnut_pod, StarSpray
Nerdanel crafts her first sculpture of strange but beautiful shape.
what was lost on the ice by skywardstruck
If I sing now, will you answer me?
Once childhood friends, now king and captain, Finrod and Edrahil mourn for what they lost in each other on the Helcaraxë.
