Instadrabbling Sessions for April, May, and June
The first Saturday of each month, we will be hosting instadrabbling on our Discord server.
SWG News
Fanwork sign-ups are open!
Register for Mereth Aderthad!
Mereth Aderthad Interview: Interview with polutropos by Dawn
"And love grew after between them"—those words have fascinated a fandom intent on revealing the how and why of the "kidnap fam" plot point in "The Silmarillion." In this interview, polutropos discusses her upcoming Mereth Aderthad paper on the topic, “'Kidnap Fam' and the Living Legendarium."
Mereth Aderthad Interview: Interview with Maglor by Shadow
Who is Gil-galad? That might seem a silly question, but we know very little of his character beyond his kingship. In this interview, Shadow talks with Maglor about his upcoming Mereth Aderthad presentation "Gil-galad was an Elven King: Kingship and Personhood in the Last High King of the Noldor" that explores who Gil-galad might have been, beyond the last king of the Noldor.
Mereth Aderthad Registration Is Open!
Registration for attending Mereth Aderthad is open for both in-person and virtual attendees and will remain open through the day of the event.
New & Updated Fanworks
[Writing] High in the Clean Blue Air by StarSpray
They passed out of Lhûn and the wider coastline of Middle-earth opened up before his eyes. He had wandered those shores for centuries, and even now he felt the pull of that same wanderlust, and knew he would miss them for the rest of his life. Their wildness, the untamed waves, the rocky…
[Writing] That strength which in old days moved earth and heaven by Himring
Long after the Fall of Eregion, a survivor returns to face her memories.
[Reference] Interview with cloudyhymns by Shadow by cloudyhymns, daughterofshadows
Shadow spoke with cloudyhymns about his upcoming presentation for Mereth Aderthad 2025, "The Design of Dragons and the Doom of the Dwarves," where he shares his theory about how Dwarves and dragons are connected in the legendarium, a topic full of implications for fanworks.
[Audio] Twinkle, Twinkle, Silmaril - Podfic by daughterofshadows
A reworking of Twinkle, twinkle, little star, featuring Eärendil. Originally written by Anérea.
[Writing] The Longed For That Cometh Beyond Hope by Grundy
Eärendil has to find his way in this unfamiliar land. Luckily (or unluckily, depending on your point of view) for him, it's a time of festival in Valimar...
[Reference] Interview with polutropos by Dawn by polutropos, Dawn Felagund
Dawn spoke with polutropos about her upcoming presentation for Mereth Aderthad, “'Kidnap Fam' and the Living Legendarium," including the appeal of kidnap fam, the appeal of Maglor's character, and how The Silmarillion as an incomplete, complex word makes it ripe for both fanworks and…
Current Challenge
Birthday Bash
Daily word, image, and poetry prompts are loosely structured around events and milestones leading up to our 20th birthday. Read more ...
Random Challenge
New in References
Interview with cloudyhymns by Shadow by cloudyhymns, daughterofshadows
Shadow spoke with cloudyhymns about his upcoming presentation for Mereth Aderthad 2025, "The Design of Dragons and the Doom of the Dwarves," where he shares his theory about how Dwarves and dragons are connected in the legendarium, a topic full of implications for fanworks.
Interview with polutropos by Dawn by polutropos, Dawn Felagund
Dawn spoke with polutropos about her upcoming presentation for Mereth Aderthad, “'Kidnap Fam' and the Living Legendarium," including the appeal of kidnap fam, the appeal of Maglor's character, and how The Silmarillion as an incomplete, complex word makes it ripe for both fanworks and scholarship.
Maglor by polutropos
As one of the most beloved Silmarillion characters, Maglor is a bundle of contradictions undergirded by a complex textual history. Warrior, musician, wanderer, and survivor, Maglor brings to the fore key themes in Tolkien's early legendarium, such as the role of music, oaths, and exile.
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
[Writing] Paradox of the Fourth Age by Alassante
One wrong decision can make a world of difference. When one of the Fellowship makes the mistake, the consequences are so severe that only the Valar can repair it. But will they?
Glorfindel daughter's life is in Elrohir's hands and only she remembers th eir love for each other. The fate of…
[Writing] By Mirrormere by bunn
A new Age dawns, and Moria is retaken at last.
[Writing] Beneath the Bitter Rain by bunn
The Gardens of the Entwives are fallen, but two Entwives remain.
Around the World and Web
April Challenge at tolkienshortfanworks
The tolkienshortfanworks challenge for April has been posted to the Dreamwidth community. The thematic prompt is: wood. The formal challenge is: linnod (Gilraen's canonical verse form). These can be filled separately and freely combined with other challenges and prompts that allow this.
Celedriel Week 2025
Celedriel Week is a Tumblr events for fanworks about Galadriel and Celeborn.
Neurodivergent Arda Week 2025
Neurodivergent Arda Week is a Tumblr event to celebrate neurodiversity in Tolkien's works.
Tolkien Ekphrasis Week 2025
This is a Tolkien-fandom-wide event dedicated to the art of ekphrasis in Tolkien's worlds. Its goal is to illuminate the artistic surroundings of the places, people, and stories we love, in as many media as possible.
Teitho March/April Challenge: Mothers
The Teitho Contest theme for the months of March and April is mothers.
New and Updated Artwork
Sketches inspired by the 2025 Birthday Bash challenge prompts!
Major Characters: No major characters listedMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: Birthday Bash
Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate
Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings, Creator Chooses Not to Warn | | |
Young Andreth in a moth cloak
Major Characters: AndrethMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: Dark Matter
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
Adaptation of a concrete poem by Christian Morgenstern for the Dark Matter Challenge.
Major Characters: No major characters listedMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: Dark Matter
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
In a mostly-starless void, the Star of Earendil is shown glowing within reach of a silver full Moon with the last flower of Telperion upon it. Drawn using MS Paint. A poem called "Connection" is also shown:
As Earendil
rises for the first
time
He sees Tilion
And knows that
he is not the
Only watcher
over Arda.
There is a
connection
forged.
Major Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: No challenge listed
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
Melian and Thingol awake from their enchantment in Nan Elmoth.
Major Characters: Elu Thingol, MelianMajor Relationships: Melian/Thingol
Challenge: Arda on Ice
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
Artwork created for Mairon 30-Day Character Study
Major Characters: SauronMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: 30-Day Character Study, Jubilee
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
An illustrated infographic timeline of the various sources of illumination of Arda from its creation to the sun.
Major Characters: No major characters listedMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: Jubilee, Secret Gate, Tolkien Meta Week
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
![Meme format depicting two people talking to each other. Person A: "Tolkien Linguistics is second nature to us NoMe fans, so it's easy to forget that the average Tolkien fan probably only knows about Feanor's invention of the Tengwar and one or two hand languages. " Person B: "And 'It is false to make Dwarves [?uncreative] or poor linguists.' of course." Person A: "Of course."](/sites/default/files/styles/thumbnail/public/2025-02/1linguistics_0.jpg?itok=a0qtkIeT)
A meme created for the prompt: ''It is false to make Dwarves [?uncreative] or poor linguists.'' for the Gnome Tome and Jubilee challenges
Major Characters: Fëanor, DwarvesMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: Gnome Tome, Jubilee
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
A drawing of a pink flamingo surrounded by yellow flowers.
Major Characters: No major characters listedMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: No challenge listed
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
Two moodboards depicting Tarn Aeluin
Major Characters: No major characters listedMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: Dip the Ladle, Jubilee
Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate
Warnings: Character Death | | |
An instadrawble painting
Major Characters: No major characters listedMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: Holiday Party, Jubilee
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
A portrait of Indis in her wedding dress
Major Characters: IndisMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: Jubilee, Kings & Queens
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
Semi-abstract arts representing the queens of the Valar.
Major Characters: No major characters listedMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: Bollywood, Jubilee, Potluck Bingo, Restoration and Rebuilding
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
An illustration for a very loose crossover concept with Nienor and the magic golden fish from the Chinese fairytale of Ye Xian, a Cindarella tale predating the European version by over 1000 years.
Major Characters: NienorMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: Crossroads of the Fallen King, Jubilee
Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate
Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings | | |
Artwork created for prompts for the 30-Day Character Study Challenge.
Major Characters: MîmMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: 30-Day Character Study, Jubilee
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
Created for the Storied Places bingo board
Major Characters: No major characters listed
Major Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: Potluck Bingo
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
Art for Potluck Bingo. B1 -' gloomy hush of night' from the board by Himring
Major Characters: Manwë, MelkorMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: Potluck Bingo
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
An abstract sketch: After the ending of Arda v1, Andreth and Aegnor feär reunite and they are free to experience the whole of Eä together.
Major Characters: Andreth, AegnorMajor Relationships: Aegnor/Andreth
Challenge: No challenge listed
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
A drawble collection of Ardan objects
Major Characters: No major characters listedMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: Potluck Bingo
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
Assorted prompt fills for the 2024 Potluck bingo boards, to varying degrees of completion! :)
Major Characters: No major characters listedMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: Potluck Bingo
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
Artwork for Elleth’s Potluck Bingo board: starting off appropriately with Piecemeal Palace in Himring — Maedhros’ potlucky manor house, aka where Elrond & Elros grew up ✨
Major Characters: Maedhros, Maglor, Elrond, ElrosMajor Relationships: No major relationships listed
Challenge: Potluck Bingo
Rating: General
Warnings: No warnings listed | | |
