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
Soap Opera
Create a fanwork using our prompt generator that includes stock characters, common plot scenarios, settings, and episode types that are frequently featured in soap operas. 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 Teens
History and Conspiracy by Himring
In the Fourth Age, young Barahir comes up with a conspiracy theory about a Numenorean queen and explains his theory to Ivriniel of Dol Amroth.
Under strange stars by Idrils Scribe
Barely a long-year after the Last Alliance all is not well in Imladris. Elrond's household has been dealt a crippling blow: a very young Elrohir has disappeared. After decades of false leads he is found in the Far South of Middle-Earth. Can Glorfindel find and rescue the descendant of Earendil once more? There is just one problem: Elrohir has no memory of who he was, and little interest in leaving his people's fight against the Black Nùmenoreans of Umbar...
A huge thanks to my beta, the irreplaceable Dawn Felagund, who made this tale at least twice as good as it was originally. All remaining mistakes are mine.
The Space Left Behind by Independence1776
Early in the Second Age, Elrond drags an orc-poisoned Maglor to Lindon. Hurt/comfort.
Hunger by The Wavesinger
Ungoliant hurts, and watches the sky.
In the Bitter Rain by Zdenka
The last stand of the Entwives and the burning of the Brown Lands.
White Wings by Zdenka
As Sauron’s influence grows in Númenor, Míriel and a scholar of the Faithful discuss the translation of Elvish poetry.
Lies a Long Shadow by Elleth
Under the growing shadows of Angmar and amid her prophecies, Malbeth loves Fíriel and bides her time.
Fëanorians in 600 Words or Less by eris_of_imladris
Each Fëanorian gets their own headcanon and short story of 600 words or less for this character exploration!
Written for Fëanorian Week 2018.
Heron. by hennethgalad
Belen, son of Beor, speaks of his youth.
(For 2018 B2MeM. Music of the Waters.
Also a story I was going to use for Breaking Boundaries.)
Stand Your Ground by Zdenka
Emeldir in the Battle of Sudden Flame.
Fire and Deep Water by Nienna
Maglor is reunited with Maedhros, after a sundering of many centuries.
Written for B2MEM 2018.
Time Present, Time Future by Narya
In Valinor, Findaráto has a vision and Tyelkormo tries to comfort him. Rated Teen for mild gore.
Faith in our Hearts by Narya
After the Dagor Aglareb, Fingon has a secret, and Maedhros has a confession to make...
Written for My Slashy Valentine 2018 as a gift for Fadesintothewest, who requested a Maedhros/Fingon story. Thanks for giving me the excuse!
Many thanks to the wonderful Ignoble Bard for beta-reading.
~ The Thread Spinner ~ by Spiced Wine
In her flight from imprisonment in Mordor, Mélamírë encounters a strange storm and meets some-one from another Middle-earth.
Written for Pandemonium_213 for B2Me Month 2018
Touching Tomorrow by Keiliss
Memory can be a complex puzzle for the reborn, but Glorfindel finds the pieces of his past that matter most.
Sequel to Another Future
The Second Kinslaying. by hennethgalad
The sons of Fëanor attack Menegroth.
'in the morning of the world' by hennethgalad
Anairë visits the house of Mahtan to see the sights of Tirion. Nerdanel is enchanted.
Outsiders of Gondolin Mutual Defence League by Himring
In Gondolin, a fat elf attempts to befriend a sad elf.
At first, things don't look very promising.
But maybe the friendship will turn out deeper and more real for it, in the long run.
Now added: a prologue and six chapters.
Fourth Father by eris_of_imladris
One year after arriving in Gil-galad's camp, Elrond learns of the fates of Maedhros and Maglor.
Belated by Dawn Felagund
On two occasions, Finwë was late for Fëanor's departure into the North. This story explores the complexity and evolution of the relationship between Finwë and Fëanor.
Marilliën and the Fall of Doriath by Kaylee Arafinwiel
Marilliën has always been devoted to the Sindar, ever since her beloved kinswoman ensnared their King. But with Melyanna gone, she at least had tried to serve as a protection to Doriath, and to Melyanna's family.
The tale of one 'young' Maia OC as she gets caught up in the Second Kinslaying. For October's "Behind the Scenes" and January 2018 "New Year's Resolution".
To See the End Beyond All Doubt by mainecoon
Maedhros and Maglor, after the War of Wrath. Maedhros wants it all to end. Maglor wants something different, and receives help from an unexpected side.
Vignettes of Elmo by LadyBrooke
A collection of short vignettes concerning Elmo (with appearances by basically all his family and quite a few members of Finwë's family prior to going to Valinor, among others).
