New Challenge: Epic 80s
This month's challenge features hundreds of fresh prompts from the bodacious decade of the 1980s.
SWG News
Cultus Dispatches: Communities Do Comment
Comment data from the SWG underscores community as an essential component to a robust commenting culture.
Instadrabbling Sessions for July, August, and September
Instadrabbling continues on the first Saturday of each month on our Discord server.
New Challenge: Scavenger Hunt
In this Matryoshka-with-a-twist, you will solve clues that point you to the challenge prompts.
New & Updated Fanworks
[Writing] Eä's Redemption by AaronAzrael
This is my new poetical attempt to add my own interpretation to Tolkien's Cosmology as to Eru's Creation and the Valar's minds and behind-the-scene providence reasons and mechanisms.. I often review Eä as part of our own world, just in another dimension, this is why I have always seriously…
[Artwork] A private audience by skywardstruck
After wandering through the forests of Oromë, Maitimo and Makalaurë discover a quiet clearing, stopping to rest. With lyre in hand, the private audience begins— for this song, Makalaurë will only allow his brother to hear.
[Writing] A Thousand Winds that Blow by StarSpray
When uneasy dreams bring him back into Beleriand, Daeron finds a pair of twins who have lost their home, and an enemy who has lost himself. The Shadow's reach is growing ever longer, and if they are to survive, they must do it together.
[Writing] Is it raining with you? by AdmirableMonster
In the last days of Númenor, two very different men meet in Umbar and fall in love.
(Please note that while this work is heavily inspired by Disco Elysium, no knowledge of the game is necessary to read the fic!)
[Writing] Nasyalossë by Lovimmy3365
Erestor lay up against a tree, brown washed to black in the wet of the snow. The black disc of the new moon sailed across the dark sky. Erestor wished it were gone. He had no need to look into dark eyes any longer.
He was dying.
(AKA Erestor unwittingly travels back in time to the…
[Writing] From That Rubble by StarSpray
Fëanor shrugged, studying the contents of his wine glass. “Something must be done about that house. It will fall down eventually.”
“It does not follow that it must be you that tears it down single-handedly. Are you sure you do not want help?”
“It’s not as though I…
[Writing] Wrensong and Roses by Isilme_among_the_stars
Concerned by his responses to the paraphernalia of healing, Fingon steals Maedhros from his room for an impromptu garden excursion. Maedhros battles with dark thoughts.
Current Challenge
Epic 80s
Create a fanwork using on of our righteous prompts based on popular culture from the 1980s. Read more ...
Random Challenge
Manwë's Mailbag
This challenge has two parts—making postcards which will be used as prompts, and using postcard prompts to create a fanwork—and will run slightly longer than usual. Read more ...
New in References
Communities Do Comment: Expanding the 3C's of Commenting with SWG Data by Dawn Walls-Thumma
Expanding on my 2018 article "Why People Don't Comment," comment data from the SWG underscores community as an essential component to a robust commenting culture.
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.
Featured Themed Collection
Beyond the Silmarillion
[Writing] Down the Long Years by Isilme_among_the_stars
Bilbo, the strange old hobbit with the wandering feet, senses something special in young Frodo the first time he sees the lad; as they become close, they find in each other a cameraderie not well understood by other hobbits. Five poignant moments between Bilbo and Frodo Baggins over the course…
[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.
Around the World and Web
Tolkien Gen Week 2026
Tolkien Gen Week will run from July 6-12, 2026 to appreciate all of the incredible characters and relationships within Tolkien’s legendarium that fall under the broad category of “gen.”
Tolkien Disability Pride 2026
This Tumblr event focuses on ALL creative works focusing on disability in Tolkien's universe.
Scribbles and Drabbles 2026
Scribbles & Drabbles is a fic and art exchange with a minimum word count of 100 words.
Fanworks Tagged with Adult
Craving Dreams by Sleepless_Malice
Gil-galad spends some free time at the beach close to his realm in Lindon, thinking he is alone until he realizes that Elrond is present as well.
Based on the wonderful MMM-prompt: "His sword was long, his lance was keen" - and he has to 'polish' it regularly."
A Cunning Deceit by Sleepless_Malice
Mairon discovers a new game he likes to play with his favorite captive, and much to his amusement Maedhros takes equal delight in it — until the illusion scatters. Spiced up with a pinch of unhealthy Angbang.
Give me a moment for pity's sake by Sleepless_Malice
Finding a few quiet moments to jerk off isn’t the easiest thing in the Fëanorian household. Caranthir + incestuous desires feat. the most annoying (shithead) brothers one could ever wish for.
Your tongue upon my scars by Sleepless_Malice
Fingolfin wants to make Fëanor pay for the burning of the ships in his very own way. Canon divergence AU for Fëanor being still alive when Fingolfin and his followers reach Beleriand.
Sacrifice me for my Sins by Sleepless_Malice
After the War of Wrath Mairon is brought back to the Blessed Realm together with Melkor who is cast into the Void shortly after.
feat. the requested h/c from the prompter, rebellious Mairon, and mention of past Angbang.
Metamorphoses by Sleepless_Malice
"Too deep Ingwion was caught in his thoughts to realize that his fears and dreams almost were identical; only the width of a blade separated them."
The story of Eönwë, the Maia, and Ingwion, son of Ingwë, told from both perspectives; a tale of crushed dreams and betrayal, unhealthy obsessions and desires as old as the world itself.
Love Over Gold by Keiliss
Glorfindel meets a strange being beside the sea at Mithlond and is amazed months later when Erestor makes his way to Imladris to find him. But for everything, there is a price.
A Promise of Lightning by The Wavesinger
The story of Ilmarë and Thuringwethil, from the beginning to the beginning, again.
Written for Elleth for the 2016 RarePair Fest.
The Holy Stanzas by The Wavesinger
Snapshots from a visit to the ocean.
Love Song Eternal by The Wavesinger
A song (or, more properly, a poem) from Elemmírë to Írimë.
The sweet song of Poppies by Rhapsody
Morwen is summoned by Acca to fulfill the need of the latter.
Hammer and anvil by Nuredhel
Young Fëanor is working in his masters forge when he gets an unexpexted visitor, with a very naughty idea. Now how is he to prevent Mahtan from discovering that his daughter loved to play with the apprentice's...hammer.
Add Salt to the Sea by Zdenka
Míriel has always loved the Sea. After the Downfall of Númenor, the Lady of the Seas offers her refuge and comfort. (Tar-Míriel/Uinen)
I Will Sleep No More But Arise by Elwin Fortuna
Nolofinwë goes to Formenos in an effort to repair things with his half-brother.
Sleeping I Dreamed Love, Dreamed Love Of Thee by Elwin Fortuna
Nolofinwë is dreaming. This must be a dream. If so, it is a very good dream.
Do What Matters by Elwin Fortuna
Ninnachel and Baindir engage in a little roleplay and armour kink.
The Gift of a Look by Elwin Fortuna
Baindir and Ninnachel's first time together, by the shores of Lake Mithrim.
the heart's filthy lesson by Agelast
Celebrimbor learns a painful lesson in love.
Written for Smut Swap 2016.
Blood, Song, & Silver by MisbehavingMaiar
Celebrimbor, Lord of Eregion recieves an emissary from the West claiming to be a Vanya smith. The teachings he comes bearing are controversial; how to imprint thoughts and wills into matter using Song, and words of power. As the emissary gains support with king and court, their relationship becomes entangled with secrets and the weight of the past.
smile, for your lover comes by Agelast
Prodigal, you have given me love – therefore I to you give love!
O unspeakable passionate love.
Maedhros navigates new realities -- with the help of Fingon and Maglor.
Written for Smut Swap 2016.
When days were younger by Taylor17387
Melkor came to Arda to hurt it. Tulkas came to Arda to hurt Melkor. What the fighter of the Valar didn't know, is that his enemy would turn more dangerous once defeated.
A Long Time Ago, In A Galaxy Far, Far Away by The Wavesinger
In which May is captured and Fin rescues her (with some string-pulling help given by Commander Skywalker, of course). Or, the Fingon/Maedhros edition of Star Wars AUs.
(Written for Amy Fortuna for Chocolate Box 2015)
An Orchid on the Salt White Beach by The Wavesinger
Tar-Míriel and the Keeper of Gardens of the Palace, from first meeting to last. A story told in snapshots and snippets.
(Written for Sigridhr for Chocolate Box 2015.)
In Cavern's Shade by Castile181
During the first age, when Beleriand itself stands on the brink of destruction and Doriath falls from the height of glory to begin its long decline, Celeborn, a Sindarin prince as quick to wisdom as he is to anger, meets Artanis, a Noldorin princess plagued by a dark secret, and, amidst a budding romance, they soon find themselves plunged into a world of intrigue, lies, and mystery as ties between their peoples grow turbulent.
Warriors All by Erulisse
Sent by Gil-galad to scout the old fortress of Amon Lanc, Glorfindel and Thranduil go south. They discover their mutual feelings while on their quest to the evil citadel. Written for My Slashy Valentine 2016 for Elladan's Girl.
