Cultus Dispatches: Revelations from Marquette's Fanzine Dataset
In September 2026, Marquette University released a dataset about their Tolkien fanzine collection. Analysis of the data reveals what these fanzines contained and show how pre-internet Tolkien fandom responded to the publication of "The Silmarillion."
SWG News
New Challenge: Unquote
Choose a prompt from our selection of misheard, miswritten, and misrepresented unquotes that are in no way part of the actual "Silmarillon."
Site Etiquette Update: Fandom and Money
We have updated our policy in our Site Etiquette around linking to sites that collect money.
Character of the Month: Eönwë
This month's biography focuses on Eönwë, who started with a variety of identities but settled into the role of Manwë's herald, exemplifying the values of strong leadership and justice.
New & Updated Fanworks
[Writing] The Day Transcending Night by StarSpray
The Rings have been forged. The armies of Mordor are marching into Eriador. Eregion burns.
Far away from it all, by the shores of the Sea, Celegorm remembers his name.
[Writing] The last son of Feanor by ford_of_bruinen
Maglor long after elves have left middle earth
[Writing] Darling Enemy by octopus_fool
Eärendil thought he would have the sky to himself.
[Writing] Room in the Heart by Dagstjarna
Newlywed Indis begins acquainting herself with married life, both its highs and lows.
[Writing] The Parting Birds by Dagstjarna
Dior tells Elwing a bedtime story.
[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…
[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…
Current Challenge
Unquote
Choose a prompt from our selection of misheard, miswritten, and misrepresented unquotes that are in no way part of the actual "Silmarillon." Read more ...
Random Challenge
New Year's Resolution
Our annual amnesty challenge allows you to complete and receive stamps for challenges you missed in the past year. Read more ...
New in References
Fandom before the Time of the Trees: Revelations from Marquette's Fanzine Dataset by Dawn Walls-Thumma
In September 2026, Marquette University released a dataset about their Tolkien fanzine collection. Analysis of the data reveals what these fanzines contained and show how pre-internet Tolkien fandom responded to the publication of "The Silmarillion."
Across the history of the "Silmarillion," Eönwë's role settles on a character who leads without taking upon himself the power to mete out justice and who acts with equanimity across some of the most harrowing conflicts in the early legendarium.
Speak Friend and Enter: Trends in Fandom Entry Year by Dawn Walls-Thumma
Across three surveys and ten years, the Tolkien Fanfiction Survey has document when authors began writing. These data reveal trends in how film promotions, the films themselves, the books, and other historical contexts have influenced not only who writes but how long they stay.
Featured Themed Collection
Beyond the Silmarillion
[Writing] IN THE SHIRE-RECKONING by Diane Finnis-Robb
-This novel was completed for Hobbit Day 2026 and will be updated in serialized fashion here as I make final edits; so feedback is very much welcome.
-It is a multi-generational novel spanning a period of time from the formation of the Shire to the Great Plague in Year Thirty-six and…
[Writing] For a Better World by Ellynn
Thirteen years before the War of the Ring, an orcling — more intelligent and more curious than most — is born in Mordor. His curiosity will lead him to both incredible discoveries and perilous situations, all of which will shape him into a leader unlike any Mordor has ever known. But to become…
[Writing] Sun on the Daisies by StarSpray
“Oh.” Frodo’s voice was soft, almost more sigh than sound. “Sam, look.”
Around the World and Web
14th International Tolkien Mailing Competition
The Hungarian Tolkien Society invites you to join the international “Quendi” category of the Tolkien Mailing Competition: five rounds of quizzes, riddles and creative tasks. This category is organised in English, open to any individual participant, and also to teams of 2–5 people. The five rounds of the competition will last from November to April.
Tolkien Food Week 2026
fandom event from the 2-8th nov 2026 where we share recipes, fics and comfort food for body and soul.
The White Oliphaunt 2026
The White Oliphaunt gift exchange, a yearly event where Tolkien fans sign up to exchange humorous gifts with each other.
Glorfindel Week 2026
A Tumblr fandom week dedicated to the elf Glorfindel.
Silmarillion Secret Stockings 2026
A fandom event to celebrate the end of year holidays with prompt-based gifts.
Klose's Favorites
Favorite Fanworks
Don't Explain by Gwidhiel
This is really a character-driven story, in the sense that the plot is driven by the actions of the large cast of colourful characters that is the House of Finwe - both living members and dead.
And Gwidhiel's characterisations not only have great depth - they're one of the best I've seen in this fandom, I'll say - the ideas behind them are refreshingly different, and yet sensible.
I'm getting incoherent, but really, I can't recommend this enough. (And I hope she updates soon :P)
Fanwork Information
Galadriel's return to Aman prompts Indis to reflect on the state of her fragmented family and defunct marriage.
| Major Characters: Estë, Eärwen, Finarfin, Findis, Finrod Felagund, Galadriel, Indis, Lórien, Melian, Míriel Serindë, Nienna, Vairë |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: Strong Women |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
Full Brothers in Blood by oshun
I'm always a sucker for stories about young Fingon and Turgon, and this piece is full of wry humour and insights into their brotherhood during earlier times in Tirion. As always, Oshun's style is effortless - can't believe it was 4,000 words long, as I felt it had come to an end far too quickly. :)
Fanwork Information
Gift story for Dawn Felagund, Christmas 2007, Fingon and Turgon as young brothers. Honorable Mention, MEFA 2008
| Major Characters: Anairë, Celegorm, Fingolfin, Fingon, Finwë, Indis, Maedhros, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: General, Humor | Challenges: Ankle Biters, Gift of a Story, Sibling Rivalry |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
In Vino Veritas by Perelleth
Fanwork Information
A conversation between Fingon and Maedhros, after Finrod’s death.
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
Journeys by Aria
Maglor in the Fourth Age - an exploration of our favourite minstrel in a realm of Men, damages and all. Okay, I can't do this story justice - but if you're a Maglor fan, and a fan of the Middle-earth as we see it in LotR, then please read this story - and encourage the author to update because I swear she is almost as slow a writer as I am. ;)
Fanwork Information
A fic about hope unlooked for being found in the Fourth Age by one of Beleriands greatest minstrels. Perhaps a journeys end?
"A journey may start in any time or any place, but where that journey will end not even the Wise can say. Perhaps it never shall."
| Major Characters: Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
Lúthien's Tale by clotho123
Wonderful, slightly irreverent depiction of the tale of Luthien, but one that's full of warmth and humour. Very nicely done.
Fanwork Information
So what made Lúthien go overboard for an unwashed mortal? The world's only half-Elf half-Maia gives her side of the story.
| Major Characters: Beren, Celegorm, Curufin, Daeron, Elu Thingol, Finrod Felagund, Huan, Lúthien Tinúviel, Melian, Melkor, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Humor, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Expletive Language, Violence (Mild) |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
Of Lúthien and Huan by Moreth
Fanwork Information
For Huan, consenting once more to be her steed, had borne her swiftly hard upon Beren's trail.
A grittier and more macabre version of the 'fairystory'. Warning: Contains some rather grotesque imagery.
| Major Characters: Beren, Huan, Lúthien Tinúviel |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Expletive Language |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
Paper by Dawn Felagund
This is a very well-crafted, engaging story, with a great twist. Dawn certainly has a way with words!
Fanwork Information
Curufin escapes to the realms of fantasy to escape the pressures of his family and discovers the thrill of first love.
| Major Characters: Caranthir, Celegorm, Curufin, Fëanor, Maedhros, Maglor, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Family Matters, Gift of a Story |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
Stigmas by Robinka
I read this story a few days ago, but one in particular has stuck in my mind - #6, "Turambar".
(spoilers?! ahead)
Rather than just making Nienor/Turin a 'pairing', as it were, Binka artfully combines the sin of 'lust' and all the squicks and seductions of this liason into a mere 100 words. (In other words, it's hot in a completel f***ed up way. :D) After all, they are brother and sister - but they don't know. Binka doesn't forget either of these facts, and considers both very well in her drabble.
(And yes, it does make me want to write Nienor/Turin... :O)
Fanwork Information
A stabber in the dark, treacherous to foes, faithless to friends, and a curse unto his kin. Túrin Turambar: master of doom; by doom mastered.
A series of drabbles originally written for the Seven Deadly Sins Challenge at OSA. Túrin's POV.
| Major Characters: Beleg, Finduilas, Gwindor, Nienor, Saeros, Túrin |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: Drama, Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Mature Themes |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
When the Stars Smile by Dawn Felagund
Funny, sweet, and surprisingly heartwarming considering the narrator's sarcasm!
Caranthir's observations of his family, adolescence and romance give us a more irreverent perpsective of our favourite Silm characters (while keeping them familiar) and provides lot of laughs and entertainment. Very nice for light reading.
Fanwork Information
A romantic comedy about how Caranthir met his wife and developed his disdain for the House of Finarfin.
| Major Characters: Amarië, Caranthir, Celegorm, Finrod Felagund, Maedhros, Maglor, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: Humor, Romance | Challenges: Gift of a Story |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on | Updated on |
| This fanwork is complete. |
