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!
Create a work of nonfiction. All nonfiction is welcome, from headcanons to essays to multimedia responses. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
Create a fanwork about competitions using a song from the Eurovision Song Contest as a prompt. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
Create a fanwork using a quote from a woman who made contributions in science. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
Stroll the halls of an imaginary Middle-earth Museum and choose one (or more!) objects from our prompt list to inspire the creation of a fanwork. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
Create a fanwork that shows a meeting between characters of two or more cultures. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
Challenge opened in . Read more ...
Choose a major event from The Silmarillion and create a fanwork that shows what a character who was not involved was doing at the time it was taking place. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
Create a fanwork in which a character's resemblance or connection to an ancestor plays a central role. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
Create a fanwork about exile or exiles. About being exiled. About the people who are exiled. About the decision to exile, the leavetaking, the consequences. About metaphorical or symbolic exile. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
Use a popular love song as a prompt to inspire a fanwork about romantic or sexual love. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
Create a fanwork about a character you've never explored before by using our Character Biography collection. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
Prompts for this Matryoshka challenge are based on the stages of the hero's journey archetype. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
Create a fanwork using a quote from a woman who has advanced the cause of women's rights or participation of women in the arts. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
Create a fanwork using the Melville quote about the relationship between strength and beauty. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
Create a fanwork using a quotation, artwork, speech, or song concerned with protest and revolution as your inspiration. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
What is taboo? Use a bingo card of taboo-related prompts to inspire your fanwork. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
Create a fanwork that explores a group of characters--formal or informal--that Tolkien didn't identify or describe in his own writings. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
A joint event with silmladylove for creating femslash fanworks using bingo cards as prompts. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
Challenge opened in . Read more ...
Consider what "that" is for your character: the one thing that she or he refuses to do, no matter what. And what happens when she or he ends up having to do it anyway? Challenge opened in . Read more ...