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
Festival of Lights Fest
This is a fun and low-key event meant to encourage works about or inspired by Hanukkah, running this year in conjunction with the Potluck Bingo challenge. 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
Restore and Rebuild by polutropos
Instadrabbles for the August-September 2022 SWG Challenge, Restoration and Rebuilding.
To Light the Solstice Fire by elfscribe
Elladan dreads receiving his grandmother’s embarrassing annual solstice gift. Humor.
Chance Meeting by StarSpray
Sam encounters one of the Big People for the first time.
Autumn Reread by Independence1776
A moodboard for The Lord of the Rings.
Khamûl's Sulfurous Exfoliants by Independence1776
After the Ring War ends, Khamûl and the rest of the Nazgûl open an exfoliant business. In order to expand it, Khamûl decides to open a stall at Tharbad’s Greenway Spring Faire.
Written for Back to Middle-earth Month 2015.
Restoration and Rebuilding Instadrabbling by Lindariel
Instadrabbles from the sessions on the SWG Discord server, 20-21 August 2022
A New Home by Elwin Fortuna
Elrond and Gil-galad discuss Elrond's reasons for building and staying in Rivendell.
A New Start by Elwin Fortuna
Finrod emerges from the Halls of Mandos.
Restoration by Elwin Fortuna
Maglor finds something to do in the modern world.
Of Beginnings by Elwin Fortuna
Yavanna's busy at the beginning of Time.
Restoration & Rebuilding Instadrabbling by elennalore
Four different drabbles (100 words each) written during a SWG instadrabbling event 20.08.2022.
Of Perfect Make by StarSpray
A letter comes to the Lonely Mountain from Bag End, requesting a large number of birthday gifts for Bilbo's upcoming eleventy-first birthday. The Mountain gets to work immediately.
Gold-cleaver by chrissystriped
Maglor finds peace in making art that is not music
Winter Best by Independence1776
One snowy day in Imladris, Elrond asks Celebrían a question.
Snowmelt by Independence1776
A few decades after Celebrían's departure, Arwen returns home from Lothlórien.
A Winter Gift by Independence1776
Elrond gives Celebrían a gift.
Treasure by Independence1776
Elladan and Elrohir find something Elrond doesn't expect.
The Balrog by Independence1776
Glorfindel can survive a balrog, but can he survive the twins?
This was originally posted on ff.net in February 2005 and is being crossposted purely for archival purposes.
Homecomings by Independence1776
When Elrond reaches Valinor, he doesn't quite get the welcome he expected.
This was originally published on ff.net in December 2004 and is being crossposted purely for archival purposes.
Hope Against the Shadow by StarSpray
Arwen dreams of shadows, and stitches light.
After the Storm Waves by Himring
The Downfall of Numenor has also inflicted considerable damage on settlements in Lindon.
When Elendil's ships arrive, Cirdan considers how to put up those Numenoreans who escaped the Downfall.
When the river runs dry by daughterofshadows
How does Saruman's work in Isengard affect the animals living around the River Isen?
Today, the field mice tell the story of the days when the Isen disappeared completely.
Flowing Songs of Healing by Anérea
Yavanna and Ulmo in Middle-earth after the toppling of the Lamps.
