New Challenge: Crossroads of the Fallen King
Cross "The Silmarillion" with a second text or fandom in this month's crossover challenge.
Challenges have been a part of the SWG since our group was formed in 2005. Before the archive, there were challenges. Before References or any special projects or B2MeM or any of the myriad things we've done over the last decade-plus, there were challenges. Challenges end and a new challenges is posted on the 15th of the month. (Yes, that means there is one thrilling day each month when there are two active challenges!) Participants—both authors and reviewers—will receive a stamp in their challenge stamp collection for their participation. Deadlines apply only if you want your fanwork to receive a stamp.
Every challenge that has ever been offered by the SWG is available for use by creators of fanworks who are looking for inspiration. Even if the deadline for stamps is passed, you are welcome to use the challenges listed on our site. And comments on past challenge fanworks are always welcome and always receive a reward for that month. Want to join us? Click to read the guidelines below!
The Nirnaeth is fought by superheroes. Elven history becomes a telenovela. Túrin rages through the five acts of a Shakespearean tragedy. Tolkien characters fall into favorite films and shows, and classic literature mixes with zombies … or Balrogs. Elves in space and Maglor in history—Tolkien crossovers that are nearly genres in their own right.
Crossover fanworks have a vibrant history in the Tolkien fandom, and the crossroads are fertile ground for new and unexpected creative endeavors. This month's challenge asks participants to create a crossover fanwork. The second text and how exactly you cross the two is entirely up to you!
Crossovers are fanworks that use elements from two or more fandoms or texts to create a fanwork. Crossovers can use characters, settings, and other elements from the second text. In the Tolkien fanfiction fandom, crossovers have also included fanworks that combine Tolkien's world with folklore, myth, and real-world history. As always, we encourage participants to get creative in how they interpret this month's challenge.
You can find a list of crossover texts already added to our site here. If you need a tag added to the Crossover Text list, you can let us know now or request it when you post your fanwork using the Moderator Request field on the fanwork submission form.
Note that, on the SWG, Silmarillion-based fanworks that use The Rings of Power show (and other media adaptations) are considered crossovers. Likewise, fanworks that cross The Silmarillion with any of Tolkien's non-Middle-earth works are counted as crossovers.
Many thanks to Independence1776 for this month's lovely banner and stamps!
Place the a law, custom, or tradition of Middle-earth as the focus of a fanwork. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
Prompts for this Matryoshka challenge are based on the archetypes that pepper myths, legends, and literature found around the world. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
During the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, we offered a menu of daily prompts designed to help people connect, show kindness to others, and refocus on their own creativity during this uncertain moment in history. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
While usually the scenes are filmed first and the soundtrack is composed later, this month we want to challenge you to create (or continue) a story after listening to one of our musical prompts. The prompts will be pieces of classical and instrumental music. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
"This idea is completely unworkable, but I bet I can make it work." With that philosophy in mind (if so dignified a word can be used here), create a fanwork using a bingo card with the most bizarre, silly, and crackiest prompts we could conjure. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
Create a fanwork in which one (or several) of the holidays of Middle-earth plays a role. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
Choose one of the famous first lines from the list below and use it to start your story. If you are creating a fanwork other than writing, you may use one of the first lines to inspire your fanwork. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
Try something "in rare form," using a format or genre that is rarely utilized in Tolkien fanfiction. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
Select any (or several) of the "mysterious documents" from our prompt set and let them feature in your fanwork. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
Create a fanwork that solves a canon problem using your own favorite (or most frustrating!) canon problem to solve or by choosing one of the member-submitted canon problems. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
Create a fanwork using a prompt from an LGBTQIA+ person, choosing from music, art, poetry, and quotations. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
Prompts for this Matryoshka challenge are loosely based on the plot arcs and tropes of romance novels. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
Use a prompt by a female musical artist or a band with a female lead to create your fanwork. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
Create a fanwork featuring a rare character or textual ghost in a leading role. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
Choose a quote from the canon about love and create a fanwork that responds to the quote. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
A multi-course "feast" of prompts for writing, artwork, reading, commenting, and meta. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
Prompts for this Matryoshka challenge are loosely inspired by the predictable plot arcs of hilariously abominable, eye-rollingly corny, so-bad-they're-actually-kinda-good horror films. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
Create a fanwork using prompts from a bingo card of sitcom tropes. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
In this challenge inspired by the Polynesian wayfinders, choose a video, song, or historical fact as inspiration to create a fanwork. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
In honor of the SWG becoming a teenager, create a fanwork about an adolescent character or adolescence using our prompt generator. Challenge opened in . Read more ...