New Challenge: Potluck Bingo
Sit down to a delicious selection of prompts served on bingo boards, created by the SWG community.
SWG News
Bingo Cards Wanted for Potluck Bingo
Our November-December challenge will be Potluck Bingo, featuring cards created by you! If you'd like to create cards or prompts for cards, we are taking submissions.
Tolkien Meta Week, December 8-14
We will be hosting a Tolkien Meta Week in December, here on the archive and on our Tumblr, for nonfiction fanworks about Tolkien.
New Challenge: Orctober
Orcs on a quest for freedom seek a place sheltered and safe from the Dark Lord. Fulfill prompts to gather the clues needed to bring them to freedom.
New & Updated Fanworks
[Reference] Mapping Arda, Part III: The Second Age by Anérea, Varda delle Stelle
A series of articles featuring fan-made maps of all the lands of Arda. Part III explores the island of Númenor and mainland Middle-earth during the Second Age.
[Writing] Collection of Potluck Drabbles by Artano
This is a collection of true drabbles completed for the 'Four Words' drabble bingo card.
[Writing] Getting Dirty by Elleth
A collection of NSFW ficlets for the "Keep It Clean" bingo card of the 2024 Potluck Bingo.
[Reference] Doom and Ascent: The Argument of ‘Beowulf: the Monsters and the Critics’ by Simon J. Cook
Simon reads 'Beowulf: the Monsters and the Critics' to conclude his account of the Anglo-Saxon tower of its allegory.
[Artwork] 2024 Potluck Doodles by silmalope
Assorted prompt fills for the 2024 Potluck bingo boards, to varying degrees of completion! :)
[Artwork] A Collection of Maps Exhibiting the Changing Political Landscape in Beleriand by Artano
Created for the 'Geography/Maps/Places' prompt on the "Tolkien meta" bingo board, this is a collection of maps marked with the various people groups showing how they arrived and moved about Beleriand. This collection focuses specifically on the time from the arrival of the Teleri, Vanyar, and…
[Writing] On the Nature of the Sindar’s Hunting the Petty-dwarves by Artano
This is an analysis on whether the Sindar ate the Petty-dwarves during the years they hunted them, completed for the 'Literary Analysis' prompt on the "Tolkien Meta" bingo card.
Current Challenge
Potluck Bingo
Help yourself to a collection of prompts on bingo boards designed by members and friends of the SWG. Read more ...
Random Challenge
Plot Thickens
Create a fanwork that depicts characters in the act of plotting something. Read more ...
New in References
Mapping Arda, Part III: The Second Age by Anérea, Varda delle Stelle
A series of articles featuring fan-made maps of all the lands of Arda. Part III explores the island of Númenor and mainland Middle-earth during the Second Age.
Doom and Ascent: The Argument of ‘Beowulf: the Monsters and the Critics’ by Simon J. Cook
Simon reads 'Beowulf: the Monsters and the Critics' to conclude his account of the Anglo-Saxon tower of its allegory.
Why People Don't Comment: Data and History From the Tolkienfic Fandom by Dawn Walls-Thumma
A reworking of the 2018 article for Long Live Feedback that includes data from the 2020 Tolkien Fanfiction Survey, pointing to a lack of comments as related to skill, confidence, and community connection.
Featured Themed Collection
Part of our Themed Collection series for our newsletter, this collection features fiction, artwork, and essays that transcend the idea of Orcs as the enemy, instead considering their humanity.
Alliterative Verse for Arda by Rhunedhel
Part of our Themed Collection series for our newsletter, this collection features alliterative poems about Middle-earth.
Beyond the Silmarillion
[Artwork] Long-tressed Wingildi by Anérea
"... the long-tressed Wingildi ... spirits of the foam and the surf of ocean."
~ a painted sketch for Scribbles and Drabbles 2024.
[Writing] Partners in Craft by elennalore
Annatar realises that he might like Celebrimbor too much.
[Writing] Staging a Battle by StarSpray
He and Diamond were visiting, though Pippin had been disappearing every afternoon, and taking Frodo and Elanor and most other lads and lasses in the neighborhood with him—though why they couldn’t use Pippin’s own pony, Sam couldn’t imagine.
Around the World and Web
Teitho November/December Contest: Healing
The theme for Teitho's November/December contest is healing.
Lord of the Rings Secret Santa 2024
LotR SESA has been ongoing for twenty-one years and is running again this year as a prompt meme hosted on AO3 for all genres of Tolkien-based fanfiction.
Kiliel Week 2024
Kiliel Week is a Tumblr event for fanworks about the Kili/Tauriel pairing.
November challenge at tolkienshortfanworks
The challenge for November has been posted to the tolkienshortfanworks community on Dreamwidth. Thematic prompt: refuge. Formal challenge: include imitation of a sound. As always, these can be filled independently and also freely combined with SWG and other challenges. New participants welcome!
November 2024 Call for Papers and Proposals
Calls for papers and proposals for conferences and publications that are open during the month of November 2024.
Beyond the Silmarillion
Our Beyond the Silmarillion section exists for our creators to archive their non-Silmarillion fanworks. Works in this section are based on Tolkien's other texts or adaptations of Tolkien's writings. Find out more about eligibility to post in this section here.
Snowdrops by Himring
Valacar, prince of Gondor, is sent to Rhovanion to learn the ways of his father’s allies and falls in love with Vidumavi, the daughter of his host.
| Canon Source: Lord of the Rings |
| Major Characters: Men, Valacar, Vidumavi |
| Major Relationships: Valacar/Vidumavi |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 748 |
| Posted on 17 June 2023 | Updated on 17 June 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
I Who Am Water by Himring
Goldberry is the River-daughter.
| Canon Source: Adventures of Tom Bombadil, Lord of the Rings |
| Major Characters: Goldberry |
| Major Relationships: Goldberry/Tom Bombadil |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 111 |
| Posted on 17 June 2023 | Updated on 17 June 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Ever Northward Gaze by StarSpray
The lands of the north and the south are coming together again in friendship and alliance, and a celebration is planned, to take place on the lawn of Parth Galen. Gimli makes something particularly special for the occasion.
| Canon Source: Lord of the Rings |
| Major Characters: Boromir (Fellowship), Faramir, Fellowship, Gimli |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 864 |
| Posted on 17 June 2023 | Updated on 17 June 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Two Rohirrim by Himring
Riddles about two female characters from Rohan, and three drabbles each about these two female characters .
| Canon Source: Lord of the Rings |
| Major Characters: Unnamed Female Canon Character(s), Rohirrim |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 766 |
| Posted on 9 June 2023 | Updated on 9 June 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Beorn's Wife by Himring
Beorn and his son Grimbeorn the Old are canonical, so Grimbeorn's mother must be, too.
But what was she like?
| Canon Source: Hobbit, Lord of the Rings |
| Major Characters: Unnamed Female Canon Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 102 |
| Posted on 8 June 2023 | Updated on 8 June 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Boromir Drabbles by Himring
Two drabbles on the mourning in Gondor for Boromir's death.
| Canon Source: Lord of the Rings |
| Major Characters: Boromir (Fellowship) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 202 |
| Posted on 6 June 2023 | Updated on 6 June 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Gilraen leaves for Rivendell by Himring
What the title says.
Poem in response to Rhapsody's excellent stories about Gilraen.
| Canon Source: Lord of the Rings |
| Major Characters: Gilraen |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 122 |
| Posted on 4 June 2023 | Updated on 4 June 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
[podfic] A Vulpine Gentleman With Business of His Own by Chestnut_pod
A brief interlude in the life of a fox with a job to do.
| Canon Source: Lord of the Rings |
| Major Characters: Unnamed Canon Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Podfic | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 4 June 2023 | Updated on 4 June 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (2) |
in memories cast into melodies by kimaracretak
Time is old in the forest, and weary, but it is not yet winter when Goldberry sees her first. She has braved the Withywindle even this late in the year, barefoot in the water, and her feet are tinged with blue nearly to match the brooch that rests at her throat.
Or; Goldberry meets the woman who wore the blue-jewelled brooch from the Barrow-Downs. Four Second Age autumns lived, and one yet to come.
| Canon Source: Lord of the Rings |
| Major Characters: Unnamed Female Canon Character(s), Goldberry |
| Major Relationships: Goldberry/Unnamed Canon Character |
| Genres: Femslash, Horror | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 003 |
| Posted on 31 May 2023 | Updated on 3 June 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
An End, a New Beginning by chrissystriped
As the One is destroyed, Sauron defeated, an orc woman wonders what to do now.
| Canon Source: Lord of the Rings |
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 1, 409 |
| Posted on 28 July 2021 | Updated on 2 June 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Iron Lady by Chiara Cadrich
The story of a girl who wanted a ring on her finger.
| Canon Source: Unfinished Tales |
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 007 |
| Posted on 26 May 2023 | Updated on 26 May 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
[podfic] Of Perfect Make by Chestnut_pod, StarSpray
A letter comes to the Lonely Mountain from Bag End, requesting a large number of birthday gifts for Bilbo's upcoming eleventy-first birthday. The Mountain gets to work immediately.
| Canon Source: Hobbit, Lord of the Rings |
| Major Characters: Glóin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Podfic | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 25 May 2023 | Updated on 25 May 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
[podfic] Bookkeeper by Chestnut_pod, StarSpray
Elanor sits down to make a copy of the Red Book.
| Canon Source: Lord of the Rings |
| Major Characters: Elanor Gardner |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Podfic | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 21 May 2023 | Updated on 21 May 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
The Isle of the Golden King by Chiara Cadrich
The specter of Numenor reappears from under the waves, for the time of a tale...
| Canon Source: Unfinished Tales |
| Major Characters: Ar-Pharazôn, Tar-Míriel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Mystery | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 112 |
| Posted on 19 May 2023 | Updated on 19 May 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
[podfic] With What a Glory by Chestnut_pod, StarSpray
Goldberry has a song for each season.
| Canon Source: Lord of the Rings |
| Major Characters: Goldberry |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Podfic | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 19 May 2023 | Updated on 19 May 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
[podfic] As Though At Sea by Chestnut_pod
Lothíriel finds many things in Rohan unsettling, but none so much as her future sister-in-law.
| Canon Source: Lord of the Rings |
| Major Characters: Éowyn, Lothíriel |
| Major Relationships: Éowyn/Lothíriel |
| Genres: Podfic | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 17 May 2023 | Updated on 17 May 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Wonder of the Neighborhood by StarSpray
"The little silver nut [Sam] planted in the Party Field where the tree had once been; and he wondered what would come of it...
"Spring surpassed his wildest hopes...In the Party Field a beautiful young sapling leaped up: it had silver bark and long leaves and burst into golden flowers in April. it was indeed a mallorn, and it was the wonder of the neighborhood. in after years, as it grew in grace and beauty, it was known far and wide and people would come long journeys to see it: the only mallorn west of the Mountains and east of the Sea, and one of the finest in the world."
- The Return of the King, "The Grey Havens"
| Canon Source: Lord of the Rings |
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Fiber/Textile Art |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 17 May 2023 | Updated on 17 May 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (2) |
[podfic] Standing Together by Chestnut_pod
Nori's not really a protest sort of person. Dwalin, apparently, is.
| Canon Source: Hobbit |
| Major Characters: Dwalin, Nori |
| Major Relationships: Dwalin/Nori |
| Genres: Podfic | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 15 May 2023 | Updated on 15 May 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
[podfic] Ink and Steel by Chestnut_pod
Dwalin has the mountains under her skin.
| Canon Source: Hobbit |
| Major Characters: Dwalin, Nori |
| Major Relationships: Dwalin & Nori |
| Genres: Podfic | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 14 May 2023 | Updated on 14 May 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
[podfic] waving flares in the air by Chestnut_pod
The light enters the room before Éowyn does, a rolling dry heat with it; just enough warning for Faramir to close one book and open another. She enters hard on its heels. 'Hail, Steward, from the south fair tidings,' she says, pulling off her helm halfway through, so the words are muffled. 'I can’t stay long. I came to give you word of Harad and your brother.' (A Galadriel-accepts-the-ring AU.)
| Canon Source: Lord of the Rings |
| Major Characters: Éowyn, Faramir |
| Major Relationships: Éowyn/Faramir |
| Genres: Podfic | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 14 May 2023 | Updated on 14 May 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
[podfic] Light Words About Nothing, And Other Rare Pleasures of Life by Chestnut_pod
“We can’t all be as pleasant as hobbits,” Dis said. The hobbit in question tossed her head back, black curls bouncing and glinting in the late afternoon light, and laughed.
“You’ve met few hobbits then,” she replied, still smiling. “I’ve often thought we’re the most contentious race in all the lands.”
“You’ve met few dwarves then." Dis was rewarded with more laughter, and then all of a sudden, the hobbit was plopping herself down on the bench beside Dis, fishing out her own pipe.
Dis meets an unexpected companion as she waits in Rivendell.
| Canon Source: Hobbit |
| Major Characters: Belladonna Took Baggins, Dís |
| Major Relationships: Belladonna Took Baggins/Dís |
| Genres: Podfic | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 11 May 2023 | Updated on 11 May 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Upon the Grass Untroubling by StarSpray
"It was often said (among other families) that long ago one of the Took ancestors must have taken a fairy wife. That was, of course, absurd, but..."
Faramund Took goes wandering through the South Downs, and comes back home with a rather unexpected bride.
| Canon Source: Hobbit, Lord of the Rings |
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Original Female Character(s), Original Male Character(s), Hobbits |
| Major Relationships: Original Character/Original Character |
| Genres: Family, Fluff, Het | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 206 |
| Posted on 22 April 2023 | Updated on 22 April 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Divine Things Well Envelop'd by StarSpray
Legolas and Gimli pass through Fangorn Forest, and it isn't as bad as Gimli had expected.
| Canon Source: Lord of the Rings |
| Major Characters: Gimli, Legolas Greenleaf |
| Major Relationships: Gimli & Legolas |
| Genres: Ficlet, Fluff, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 923 |
| Posted on 3 April 2023 | Updated on 3 April 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Many Paths to Tread by Arveldis
Frodo had always been meant to leave the Shire.
| Canon Source: Lord of the Rings |
| Major Characters: Frodo, Merry |
| Major Relationships: Frodo Baggins & Merry |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 210 |
| Posted on 31 March 2023 | Updated on 31 March 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Éowyn - warrior & healer by daughterofshadows
Éowyn refuses to be a foot note in the history of men.
| Canon Source: Jackson Lord of the Rings (films), Lord of the Rings |
| Major Characters: Éowyn |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 408 |
| Posted on 31 March 2023 | Updated on 31 March 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
