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!
In honor of our 10th birthday, we introduced our Silmfic prompt generator and solicited fanworks made using it. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
Create a fanwork that involves worldbuilding or themes related to crime and punishment. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
Choose a famous first line to start your own story or inspire a non-written fanwork. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
Create a fanwork about or showing the oral tradition. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
Pit two characters against each other to see who wins. Characters can fight physically or match their wits or even magic. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
Choose a place in Middle-earth that is particularly evocative and create a fanwork where that location itself acts as a character. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
Create a fanwork that places a Silmarillion character into a fictional setting from our real-world literature Challenge opened in . Read more ...
The Silmarillion has many moments when a character stands upon a crossroad: He or she will have to make a decision. At such a turning point in your story, create a fanwork about that moment that will define or alter the life of your character. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
Emancipation and equality can be found in the Professor's words, and we would like to challenge you to create a fanwork about this process. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
Take the dark back streets of one of Arda's cities, explore an unsigned tavern or hovel, and meet the people too insignificant or unsavory to make it into the history books. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
In this AU challenge, fix that moment that you always wanted to see handled differently by offering your beloved character that moment of forgiveness or redemption. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
Create a fanwork that addresses the question of life, (im)mortality and reincarnation, or re-embodiment. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
Create a fanwork that features a memory from a character's childhood. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
Create a fanwork about gift-giving (be it material or immaterial) or the traditions of gift-giving. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
Create a fanwork focused on numbers: how they were invented or used by a culture or character. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
Storytelling is an interactive art, using words and actions to bring a story to life while encouraging the listener’s imagination. This challenge is all about storytellers in the Silmarillion tapestry. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
Send a character as a student to an unfamiliar culture and create a fanwork about his, her, or their experience. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
Unleash your imagination by looking at fairy tales of old and mix them with Tolkien's own Mythopoeia or make up your own fairy tales featuring your own characters or such stories told by your characters. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
Back to Middle-earth Month 2011 featured a daily postcard from a different location in Middle-earth with a creative prompt inspired by that location. Challenge opened in . Read more ...
Create a fanwork about storms, whether literal or figurative. Challenge opened in . Read more ...