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
Dear Irmo
Historians trace the first advice column to 1690, and in the three centuries hence, the heartsore, woebegone, and perpetually puzzled have turned to these "agony aunts" (and uncles) to solve their most debilitating dilemmas about family, work, and of course, love. Choose one of our real advice columns, tweaked just slightly, for your prompt. 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 Power of an Oath by AndyC
Maglor reflects on the Oath of Feanor. Elros learns of the power of Fate over the Eldar and the freedom of Men.
An Expected Party: A Tea for 22 September by Lindariel
Appropriate food choices for an ongoing observance of Bilbo's and Frodo's birthday.
Silent words by Rhapsody
During the retreat from the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, the two famous elves from Doriath come to a decision.
A tripple drabble for Robinka, my dear and loyal friend for so many years. And just because I can, with love.
Comfort Food by StarSpray
March 25th is a difficult day for Frodo, but Bilbo knows how to cheer him up. Glorfindel helps.
Guest Drabble by Lindariel
Posted for a friend, J. Mortimer Tarantula, who wanted to try drabbling, but with dark prompts: charnel, dire, spectre, vain.
Fair Elwing by Lindariel
A singable verse for Elwing.
The Unfinished Mission by Lindariel
Wherein another of Glorfindel's special talents is revealed.
Light in the Depths by Ellynn
The two Silmarils end up in the sea and land, and change the underworld in ways that astound humanity through the ages – and even today.
The King's Scribe by Narya
Three Hobbits come to Gondor bearing a precious artefact. Their guide is a dark-haired Elf who is more than he seems.
Into Darkness Fell His Star by Narya
A bard of Annúminas cannot find the right melody for his song - but help is waiting in the shadows.
Written for Back to Middle-earth Month 2020, Endings and Beginnings.
The Sun in Spring by Idrils Scribe
"And it was then that Elrond first saw Celebrían, and loved her, though he said nothing of it."
- Unfinished Tales; "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn"
One sunny afternoon in the garden, Elrond finally says something.
Threads of Song by StarSpray
Lúthien loved to watch her mother at work.
New Neighbor by StarSpray
Roverandom catches up with friends, both canine and otherwise.
Uttermost West by Sasha Honeypalm
On the eve of the War of Wrath, a reborn Nando is not quite sure which side of the Sea she belongs on.
The Glitter of Snow, The Sparkle of Mist by Lferion
Luckier. By whose definition, luckier?
Lockdown Instadrabbling by Lindariel
From the Discord server sessions on 25 March, 29 March, and 12 April 2020.
Little Galadriel. by hennethgalad
Finarfin and his family make a garden for Galadriel's seventh begetting day present.
25: 'start' (photo prompt, sign painted on a gate by a child)
March 2020 instadrabbles! by RaisingCaiin
Collected instadrabbles from the March 2020 event on Discord!
Lockdown Instadrabbles by Idrils Scribe
Written for the lockdown instadrabbling event on the SWG Discord.
Muindyr Duirr i Edhellen Sinnern În by herenortherenearnorfar
“... The brave Goldilocks didn’t cower before the Great Slug! He took up his sword once more and held the vicious beast at bay as Princess Silverfoot led all the people out of the Flower Kingdom."
Bilbo updates and localizes the Fall of Gondolin for a small and hobbitish audience.
Hopefully Glorfindel, a good chap if there ever was one, won't mind the tactful translation.
The Firework. by hennethgalad
Elladan struggles with his painting.
22: 'Nocturn:black and gold' Whistler
Halls of Waiting by StarSpray
Dior comes to Mandos, and must decide how he will leave it.
