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
Book by Its Cover
Go ahead and judge a book by its cover! Prompts are vintage book covers. 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.
New Year's Resolution
A new year often brings resolutions to achieve big changes. Our Resolutions challenge is much more moderate: reach for a creative achievement, no matter how small. Maybe it is a single drabble, a sketch, or a new chapter—the point is to begin a new year with an act of creativity and imagination!
Our annual amnesty allows you to pick from any of the previous year’s challenges. You do not need to use a new prompt to be eligible for this challenge. Participants can choose to complete any of the previous year's challenges. Did you miss a challenge you wanted to complete? Do it now. Did you start a fanwork for a challenge but never completed it? Here is your chance to finish. If you didn't leave any unrealized or unfinished projects behind you (congratulations!), choose from any of our 2025 challenges and start something new. (For a summary of the 2025 challenges and direct links, see the Challenge Prompts section below!)
You will receive a stamp on your 2025 collection for any challenges that you complete now, as well as a stamp for the New Year's Resolution challenge on your 2026 collection. When you post to the SWG archive, please make sure you select the 2025 challenge you're completing and the New Year's Resolution challenge.
To help the mods correctly process stamps for this challenge, contact us if you complete the following, which receive special stamps:
- feature a character of color in a Dark Matter fanwork
- feature a female character in a Musicals fanwork
- the Difficult-level challenge for Period Drama
- feature an LGBTQIA+ character in a Gates of Summer fanwork
- feature a character with a disability in a Swinging 40s fanwork
- row, column, diagonal, or card blackout for Kids These Days
This month's banner and stamps use images from the 18th-century “Chinese Arabesques” by Jean-Baptiste Pillement and Anne Allen, which plays with the theme of striving to reach the fantastical.
This challenge opened in .
Prompts
Choose your prompt from the collection below.
- View Prompts
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February | Dark Matter
Create a fanwork using anti-prompts: prompts that don't appear in your fanwork.March | Birthday Bash
Daily word, image, and poetry prompts are loosely structured around events and milestones leading up to our 20th birthday.April | Musicals
Craft a fanwork inspired by songs from musicals.May | Period Drama
A Matryoshka challenge where prompts are inspired by common tropes found in period dramas and historical fiction.June | Gates of Summer
Create a fanwork based on prompts about summer taken from Tolkien's life, canon events, and quotes from his letters and stories.July | Swinging 40s
Choose a prompt from a list of music, films, novels, inventions, and more from the 1940s.August | Kids These Days
Create a fanwork using a bingo card of prompts based on common gripes about kids and teens.September | Jumble Sale
Member-created prompts upcycle old challenges and prompts with additional new twists.October | The Only Thing to Fear
Create a fanwork about fear that involves a prompt you select from our list of common fears.November/December | Great Beleriand Bake-Off
Ready? Set? Bake! Our two-month daily prompt calendar includes sweet- and savory-themed prompts as well as weekly comment challenges.
Fanworks Tagged with New Year's Resolution
By Fate Mastered by Lyra
For Túrin, nothing turns out as he planned.
A series of drabbles (according to Libre Office) inspired by (of all things) the Sitcom! Bingo challenge and the Narn i Hîn Húrin.
Glimpse of the Hidden Past by StarSpray
While on vacation, a pair of young women decide to explore some ruins. One of them discovers something startling.
A Bridge to Tomorrow by Independence1776
Maglor rescues Celebrían before the orcs take her deep into their caves. Life in Imladris will never be the same.
The Tenth Ring by eris_of_imladris
Celebrimbor has a nagging suspicion that something is wrong while he works on the ninth ring to be given to Men.
Written for the Silmarillion Writers Guild B-Movie challenge.
Maegnas by HannaGoldworthy
A blade forged from star-metal by the hand of an Elf from Nan Elmoth proves to be capable of speech, thought, and being judgmental. No, not that one, another one.
Or, in which Maeglin is justly killed with his own treachery, but somewhat differently than the old tales convey.
Inspired by the leaf decor dagger.
Olwë's Home for Wayward Elves by Morcondil
A series of misadventures has left Galadriel in disgrace; Finarfin thinks a summer with Olwë might help his daughter find her way. After all: nothing exciting ever happens in Alqualondë. A story of questionable fashion choices, growing up, and finding one's place.
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.
Forgotten Stories Remembered in Other Lands by LadyBrooke
Elmar knows the stories of her people, and that her captor's people will not be free of Númenor forever.
Even the Greatest Art Cannot Survive Forever by LadyBrooke
In Doriath, Galadriel and Nimloth discuss the art of the Noldor and the art of the Sindar, and whether Lúthien is the equivalent of Nerdanel.
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.
Into The Woods by Grundy
Angrod, Aegnor, and Artanis have been sent to make contact with their great uncle Elwë. None of them really know what to expect.
Fourth Father by eris_of_imladris
One year after arriving in Gil-galad's camp, Elrond learns of the fates of Maedhros and Maglor.
Home is a Second Chance by eris_of_imladris
A young Gondorian guardswoman encounters an elf on a cliff and discovers a way they can both find home again. No romance here, just friendship. Will be writing more soon!
Up In Smoke by eris_of_imladris
Fëanor is the architect of his doom by making the Silmarils for all the wrong reasons.
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".
Picking Up The Pieces by Grundy
After the Fall of Gondolin, Maeglin's more than a little broken. Is there any hope for him?
Taking Readings II by Himring
Anthology for short pieces that don't fit anywhere else.
Now added: "Something for Nothing" (Ecthelion, Egalmoth)
By Love or at Least Free Will by grey_gazania
Short scenes in the life of Fingon and Ianneth, his wife.
