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
Fanon Inverted
Take a fanon you feel passionately about and turn it on its head, creating a fanwork that goes against the fanon norm. 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
Arátellë by Scribe of Mirrormere
Aredhel’s experience in Alqualondë.
“I shall be known by no other name than Arátellë,” she told Turukáno.
Fight to the End by just_jenni
For the SWG Tenth Birthday Challenge.
Prompt Generator:
Form/Genre: Guyslash
Theme: Chaos vs Order
Quotes: "If they will not depart we shall afflict them in all ways that we can".
Event: Beren and Luthien fight against Celegorm and Curufin
Rating: R
Warnings: Non-explicit non-con.
A twist to the Beren, Luthien, Celegorm and Curufin story.
Homecoming by swampdiamonds
"In those halls in the hills at that homecoming
mirth was mingled with melting tears"
(The Lay of the Children of Húrin, Canto III:1999-2000)
Rise Like the Break of Dawn by Elwin Fortuna
Lalwen witnesses the Nirnaeth Arnoediad and leads as many as she can to safety in its aftermath.
Save The World by Elwin Fortuna
Nimloth is on her way to visit Luthien. She's caught in a summer mist and hears a beautiful voice singing. Who will she meet?
the wise & the lovely by Agelast
Galadriel takes care of an unwanted suitor in her own inimitable way.
Running Around The Sun by Calithiel
That moment when the smalest thingd from life leave a mark that will remain far longer than we imagined...
Guess Who's Coming to Dinner by oshun
It’s a Years of the Trees’ story of Finrod and Amarië as young lovers, long before the rebellion of the Noldor separates them.
Morning Mist and Silver Sun by StarSpray
A place to store drabbles and ficlets, mostly written for various prompts.
A Song for My Beloved by Cheeky
Erestor has a crush, Maglor has a harp and Fingon's singing is really, really bad. Just who is the song for? That's what we all want to know. The beginning of Maglor and Erestor's story.
How Short Is Too Short? by oshun
Collection of ficlets too short to stand alone, which do seem to fit comfortably into my existing collections.
Emissary by Uvatha the Horseman
60 years before the War of the Ring, The Mouth of Sauron is being raised as an illegitimate son in the house of his father. More than anything, he craves security and a title of his own.
Rian's Only Metal Hit by Elwin Fortuna
The Elves make no song of Fingolfin's last stand. One of the Edain, however, did.
The Master of Puppets by Cirth
Maglor finds himself in a difficult position at the Gap, and is forced to make decisions that will affect the lives of his people.
Finding Home by Independence1776
A loosely related collection of stories about Elrond and Celebrían in Aman.
Final two chapters: Elladan and Elrohir bring gifts and memorializing Arwen.
Flowers in Amber by IgnobleBard
Elrond travels to Ost-in-Edhil to warn Celebrimbor to be wary of strangers bearing gifts.
Rain and Drought by Cirth
The ups and the downs, and the things that lie between. A series of drabbles.
Smoke and Mirrors by Cirth
Uldor never wanted this.
Written for Easterlings Appreciation Week.
Mul Haust by Writing Gecko
In Angband, Maeglin finds someone he thought to be dead. (warning for rape references and implied torture)
Speak No Sorrow by Elleth
Young Morwen in Brethil, from refugee to leader.
Maryame crosses the Marches to see Vanimo by Himring
Despite her physical disability, a woman crosses Beleriand to assist a fellow victim. She has help on the way.
Where the Ocean Meets the Sky and the Land by StarSpray
Eärendil has gone sailing again--this time through the skies--and Elwing is left to find a place for herself in Valinor, while the Valar prepare for war.
Fallen through the Cracks by Himring
On the Ice, Lalwen makes a disturbing observation...
A crack solution (pun intended) to the problem of some of Tolkien's missing women. Crossover.
Hour of Departure by StarSpray
Uinen was crying out on behalf of the Teleri, though Ossë and Ulmo remained silent.
Until the Rain Stops by Elisif
At a difficult stage in his life, a stranger appears at Ludwig van Beethoven's door.
