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
Understory
For this remix challenge, develop a minor character, plot point, or other detail from a fanwork into a new fanwork. 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
Breathing in New Life by Elrond's Library
Yavanna renews the land with the rising of the Sun and Moon
The First Age 503 Football Finals by myrtaceaae
F.A. 503 Aussie Rules Football finals season. Doriath is on the top of the ladder, but will they be victorious against the other strong contenders?
Let Him Find Honey by StarSpray
Grief awaits you outside these halls, Fëanáro, Nienna told him, her voice like the gentlest fall of rain upon spring leaves.
Grief haunts me inside them, Fëanor replied.
The Bedu Hobbits of Far Harad by Anérea
Speculations on Hobbit pre-history - a brief illustrated headcanon.
A Bedu Hobbit tent-hole by Anérea
A Hobbit home in the desert of Harad
Seasonal Deliverance by Iced Latte
A poem for the first born sons in the House of Finwe, each one attributed a season - Summer, Fall, Winter, Spring.
A private talk in the light of Telperion by Aprilertuile
Treat for art 45 of TRSB : Telperion Quenta Silmarillion by Wisteria53
Tilion takes Celegorm with him to visit Telperion
A small bird by Aprilertuile
This is a treat for the TRSB art 47 : Bird friend, by starlightwalking
Tyelkormo and Huan are walking in the Woods, enjoying a fine spring day when Huan finds a lost chick on the floor, under a nest.
Child of the Woods by Aprilertuile
story for art 68 TRSB 2024 - In every wood in every spring there's a different green by FakeCirilla9
The 'wilds' of Valinor seen through the eyes of Tyelkormo and his family: from Tyelkormo's birth during a long journey, to the introduction of little Telperinquar to the natural wildlife of Valinor.
An unforgettable encounter by Aprilertuile
Story for art 88 - Nessie in lake Mithrim by Octopus_fool for Scribbles and Drabbles 2024
Tyelkormo was busy going over hunt rotation and reports from his people when a child came to him, running:
“Prin.Prince, there’s a… A thing in the water. King Makalaurë said to come.” The child said, panting.
First Lemon by Aprilertuile
Written for art 147 - Blorbo’s first lemon by octopus_fool for Scribbles & Drabbles 2024.
Tyelkormo was at home when his brother came to ask him to pick up lemons for their mother, and to babysit his son.
Teaching a cousin by Aprilertuile
Written for art 154 Archery Practice by ethanray for Scribbles & Drabbles 2024.
Tyelkormo comes to Aredhel's house to teach her archery.
Missing them by Aprilertuile
Celebrimbor broke the tools his father gave him.
It was the last thing he had of his family.
For B2MEM, day 1 : The prompt was: Coming home / Reunion / Missing somebody.
Sketch of Maglor by the sea by randomhamster
A simple sketch of Maglor playing his harp by the sea, uploaded to use as my new profile picture
Scion of Kings by silmalope
Drawing my favorite Gil-galad origin headcanon, wherein Fingon stumbles across a stray war orphan in the battlefield.
Sorrow Beyond Song by AndrethS@elind3791
The fall of Fingolfin from Fingon's perspective
On the Nature of Time by Elrond's Library
A series of half-drabbles using the one word prompts for the March/April 2025 Birthday Bash Challenge, looking at the perception of time through the eyes of Maiar (in general) and Maedhros (specifically).
A Day for Revelry by Himring
An old spring festival is revived in Lindon.
Twinkle, Twinkle, Silmaril - Podfic by daughterofshadows
A reworking of Twinkle, twinkle, little star, featuring Eärendil. Originally written by Anérea.
The Longed For That Cometh Beyond Hope by Grundy
Eärendil has to find his way in this unfamiliar land. Luckily (or unluckily, depending on your point of view) for him, it's a time of festival in Valimar...
The Message is Me by StarSpray
Eärendil comes to the Ring of Doom to plead before the Valar.
Return to the Sea by daughterofshadows
Cúrandil knows the stories, knows how their people first awoke in the water. How they came to walk the land and how the sea has called them back ever since.
It is their turn to follow the call now.
