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] 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] 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] East Away! by Flora-lass
Aldarion storms off towards Middle-earth. For the Title Track challenge.
[Writing] Don't You Ever Look Away by Elrond's Library
“They can’t just assume we’ll let them leave us behind.”
“But they are, and they will. Our fathers are the Heads of their Houses. Fëanáro is king. Defiance would be treason, beloved.”
“I am his firstborn.”
“You are his only daughter.”
“I have…
[Writing] Break Me by Elrond's Library
“You’re not going to break me,” Russo huffed, finally cracking open his eyes, which were bright with amusement. “They could not, what makes you think you could?”
For Scribbles and Drabbles 2025 SFW Slide 33
[Writing] Three Black Islands by Idrils Scribe
When Celebrimbor's attempts at forging the Rings of Power fail yet again, Annatar knows where to find the missing know-how.
For all the wrong reasons, Celebrimbor agrees to an expedition to the ruins of Angband to search Morgoth's own laboratory, deep in the icy Northern Wastes.
What…
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
Another Place in Time
Move beyond the places and times of familiar events to consider what was going on elsewhere in Arda at the same time as a major event covered in The Silmarillion. How--if at all--did the event impact what was transpiring elsewhere at the same time? 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.
Hero's Journey
This month's challenge is a Matryoshka challenge based on the theme of the hero's journey archetype, in honor of the upcoming volume Beren and Lúthien (which will hopefully be published before the challenge closes). Your story does not have to be about heroes, journeys, Beren and Lúthien, or follow the archetype, but prompts will be loosely inspired by it.
Never tried a Matryoshka challenge before? See our FAQ: What is a Matryoshka challenge and how does it work? Prompts are below, and there are Beginner (two prompts), Easy (three prompts), Medium (five prompts), or Difficult (seven prompts) sets. You may use more than one set.
This challenge opened in .
Prompts
Choose your prompt from the collection below.
- View Prompts
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Easy
Prompt 1
A day in the life: Within the first 1,000 words of your story, show what ordinary, everyday life looks like for a main character in your story. Once you reach 1,000 words, open the next prompt.
Prompt 2
At any point in your story, the character encounters an enemy who turns out to be a friend, or vice versa. Open your next (and final!) prompt when you write 1,000 more words on your story, whether or not you've introduced the frenemy yet.
Prompt 3
A character has something that everyone wants. Once you've completed this and any unfinished prompts, you can finish the story!
Medium
Prompt 1
A day in the life: Within the first 1,000 words of your story, show what ordinary, everyday life looks like for a main character in your story.
Prompt 2
A character walks through a door and discovers something unexpected. What does he or she see on the other side? When you complete this prompt, open your next prompt.
Prompt 3
At any point in your story, a character encounters an enemy who turns out to be a friend, or vice versa. Open your next prompt when you write 1,000 more words on your story, whether or not you've introduced the frenemy yet.
Prompt 4
A character faces down a fear ... and fails. Open your next (and final!) prompt upon completing this scene.
Prompt 5
A character has something that everyone wants. Once you've completed this and any unfinished prompts, you can finish the story!
Difficult
Prompt 1
A day in the life: Within the first 1,000 words of your story, show what ordinary, everyday life looks like for a main character in your story.
Prompt 2
A character walks through a door and discovers something unexpected. What does he or she see on the other side? When you complete this prompt, open your next prompt.
Prompt 3
A character is asked to do something and refuses. When you complete this prompt, open the next prompt.
Prompt 4
At any point in your story, a character encounters an enemy who turns out to be a friend, or vice versa. Open your next prompt when you write 1,000 more words on your story, whether or not you've introduced the frenemy yet.
Prompt 5
A character faces down a fear ... and fails. Open your next prompt upon completing this scene.
Prompt 6
Respond to this quote by German philosopher Arthur Schopenhauer: "Every parting gives a foretaste of death, every reunion a hint of the resurrection." You can include your response to this quote anywhere in the story. Open your next (and final!) prompt after you've written at least 500 words. You do not need to have responded to the quote yet!
Prompt 7
A character has something that everyone wants. Once you've completed this and any unfinished prompts, you can finish the story!
Fanworks Tagged with Hero's Journey
Geese and a Violet by Himring
Two survivors finally get together, with a bit of help from Elrond.
Shore Beyond the Shadowy Sea by Quente
In which Elfwine goes to sea to find himself, but finds Beleriand instead, and then finds himself.
Or
Ulmo sends another human in a swan crest to Gondolin, with expected results.
- This tale is a paean (and sequel of sorts) to Bunn’s work, the Undying Lands. This will have a few spoilers, so you might go and read this glorious work, and the one before it.
- But long story short, Beleriand is back, and Fëanor might have built a few pathways between Middle-earth and Beleriand, just for fun.
Walking in the Gardens by Raiyana
A Hero's Journey Matryoshka challenge story, featuring the head gardener of Indis' home in Vanyamar.
Set in Aman, post War of Wrath, when the arrival of Indis and Findis turn the lives of the household upside down - and leads one maiden to lose her heart to another.
Up In Smoke by eris_of_imladris
Fëanor is the architect of his doom by making the Silmarils for all the wrong reasons.
Let us Sing Together by StarSpray
There are strange things dwelling in the forests of Eriador
In The Darkest Days by LadyBrooke
Elu has gone to Valinor with Finwë and Ingwë, and those left behind are forced to make up for their absences, no matter how young the ones left behind are or if they have to find their own families.
A Hero of the Day by Robinka
Just an ordinary day out there on the Northern Marches of Doriath. Or maybe not so much…? Featuring your tall, strong, and handsome, not to mention favorite, wardens and some surprises. Written for the Matrioszka/Matrioshka challenge.
Companions on a Quest by oshun
Basically a story of Fëanor and Nerdanel meeting and beginning to fall for one another. But, secondarily, a story of Mahtan's household and his relationship with his apprentices, featuring his wife also.
Hero’s Journey Challenge – May-June 2017 – submitting this one to meet the deadline, although I would very much like to expand and continue the story. It should have been much longer, but I met all of the required prompts. I've enjoyed working in this world I have begun to build. I love the characters and the backstory I created, seventy percent of which I am not able to use in this short story--due to lack of time and organizational skills(!! we won't talk about chronic writers' block). I hope readers can enjoy it as a stand-alone, but I definitely will return! I am (maddeningly perhaps) leaving my full cast at the end of the story as a teaser.
Many thanks to IgnobleBard for his careful Beta and putting up with a formidable amount of b.s. and dysfunctionality!
Safety Net by Fernstrike
The year is 502 of the First Age. Doriath has already seen the Shadow seeping into its borders - and for Oropher, one of Thingol's chief counsels, it will not be long before it pierces into the vibrant heart of the realm.
Before The Dawn by Grundy
Though all seems bright in Gondolin, Idril is troubled.
The Crownless Queen by Tyelca
She is a Queen without a crown and he is a shining opportunity.
Or, how Ungoliant and Melkor poisoned the Trees and stole the Silmarils.
One woman's journey by Lyra
From the bliss of Valinor to the turbulent shores of Middle-earth, the life of Galadriel never gets boring.
A series of vignettes following my set of prompts for the Matryoshka challenge.
A Tale of Two Lirillos by Kaylee Arafinwiel
Lirillo the prince and Lirillo the Maia - an adventure of Alqualonde's youngest prince, coming of age during a time after the Trees, just before the sun and moon. Will the grandson of Olwe prove a match for Ulmo's servant, or will the Maia be up to the task of shepherding his young namesake into this new world intact?
The Hero's Journey 5. by hennethgalad
Glorfindel confronts Celegorm.
The Hero's Journey 4 by hennethgalad
Glorfindel admits his fear.
The Hero's Journey 3 by hennethgalad
The true nature of Celegorm becomes apparent to Glorfindel.
A Day In The Life by hennethgalad
The youth of Glorfindel in Valinor
The Hero's Journey 2 by hennethgalad
Celegorm and Glorfindel meet.
