Tolkien Meta Week Starts December 8!
Join us December 8-14, here and on Tumblr, as we share our thoughts, musings, rants, and headcanons about all aspects of Tolkien's world.
SWG News
We are currently accepting proposals to present your meta, research, and scholarship! Learn more about presenting your meta, research, and scholarship here.
Artists Needed to Create 2025 Challenge Stamps
We are soliciting help from artists who want to help create the stamps we award to challenge participants.
Tolkien Fanartics: Mapping Arda - The Second Age
In the third part of the Mapping Arda series, Anérea and Varda delle Stelle present a selection of fan-created maps of the lands of the Second Age.
New Challenge: Potluck Bingo
Sit down to a delicious selection of prompts served on bingo boards, created by the SWG community.
New & Updated Fanworks
[Writing] Kiss the ground / then turn from it by Elleth
After the attack on the Havens of Sirion, a figure from Maedhros' past comes face-to-face with him one last time.
[Writing] Mercy, Love by Elleth
Maedhros' rescue from Thangorodrim left him deeply scarred. But how did it impact Fingon as his rescuer? A drabble sequence from Thangorodrim to the Nirnaeth Arnoediad.
[Artwork] Aredhel at Eithel Ivrin by Anérea
Painting of Aredhel at the Pools of Ivrin
[Writing] Many Journeys by Elleth
A gathering place for ficlets of varying length written in response to prompts, prods and as gift ficlets.
New (added December 2024):
Instadrabbling fics from the SWG server event on February 17, which I never uploaded here, as well as a couple of shorter ficlets…
[Writing] Silhouettes of Doom by Ecthelion
"At least we have learned that the sons of Fëanor can die too."
[Writing] Merry Midwinter by Aprilertuile
Snippets of life of a midwinter in Fëanáro and Nerdanel's household in Valinor, during the Age of the Trees.
Prompts will be as follow, taken from the Midwinter Bingo card (board by AdmirableMonster) :
Family ; Carols and Singing ; Death and rebirth ; Candles ; Sledding
…
[Writing] A Winters Tale by Glorified
Elrond on a winters night
Current Challenge
Festival of Lights Fest
This is a fun and low-key event meant to encourage works about or inspired by Hanukkah, running this year in conjunction with the Potluck Bingo challenge. Read more ...
Potluck Bingo
Help yourself to a collection of prompts on bingo boards designed by members and friends of the SWG. Read more ...
Random Challenge
Crossroads of the Fallen King
Create a fanwork that crosses with a second text or fandom. Read more ...
New in References
Libraries at the Edge of Middle-earth: Fanworks, Archives, and Communities as Heritage by Dawn Walls-Thumma
Tolkien fanfiction archives both preserve the "libraries of Middle-earth" in the form of keeping Tolkien's original words alive and promote conversations around heritage as community and fan identity that keeps those central texts relevant to diverse fans in a rapidly changing world.
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
[Multimedia] Entwined {text + podfic} by Anérea
First Age 116: in the foothills of the Orocani Mountains, west of Hildórien and far, far east of Beleriand.
Woman meets Maia in four perfect drabbles.
[Writing] Homage to the Song of Durin by Flora-lass
Legolas is inspired by Gimli's song - and by Gimli himself.
[Writing] Partners in Craft by elennalore
Annatar realises that he might like Celebrimbor too much.
Around the World and Web
My Slashy Valentine 2025
Sign-ups are open for My Slashy Valentine, a hand-matched slash fiction exchange focused on the people of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth.
Thorin's Spring Forge 2025
Sign-ups are open for Thorin's Spring Forge, a minibang-style event where writers and artists come together to create fanworks centred on Thorin Oakenshield.
Tolkien Pinup Calendar: Dead Dove December
Tolkien Pinup Calendar is hosting a December event for non-con smut fanworks.
Tolkien Pinup Calendar: 8 Nights of Smut
Tolkien Pinup Calendar and Hanukkah Bingo are teaming up for eight nights of naughty prompts.
Festival of Lights Fest 2024
This is a fun and low-key event meant to encourage works about or inspired by Hanukkah, running this year in conjunction with the Potluck Bingo challenge.
New and Updated Multimedia Fanworks
Atmospherics by Anérea, sallysavestheday
The three atmospheres of Arda celebrated in three drabbles and three photos...
| Major Characters: Círdan, Eärendil, Elrond, Elros, Uinen |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: No artwork type listed |
| Genres: Ficlet, General | Challenges: It Comes in Threes |
| Rating: General | Warnings: |
| Posted on 14 April 2024 | Updated on 15 April 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| | |
Blood Ties by AdmirableMonster
A close friend of Lómion's has gone missing, and a dark creature stalks the forests of his home. When he is summoned by Nan Elmoth itself, Lómion will have to draw upon all the powers he possesses to get himself and his friend home again.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Anguirel, Maeglin |
| Major Relationships: Anguirel & Maeglin, Maeglin & Original Character |
| Artwork Type: No artwork type listed |
| Genres: Horror | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings, Violence (Graphic) |
| Posted on 27 December 2023 | Updated on 27 December 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| | |
the wise and the lovely by elwinged
Silmariën and Isilmë, from the beginning to the end.
| Major Characters: Elatan of Andúnië, Isilmë, Silmarien |
| Major Relationships: Isilmë & Silmariën, Elatan of Andúnië/Silmariën |
| Artwork Type: No artwork type listed |
| Genres: Family, Ficlet | Challenges: Hidden Figures, Jubilee |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death |
| Posted on 15 February 2023 | Updated on 17 February 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| | |
Lúcë (Enchantment) by Anérea
When Melian and Thingol met they silently stared at each other for two hundred years. What actually happened between them during that time? And why could no one find them?
| Major Characters: Elu Thingol, Elves, Melian |
| Major Relationships: Melian/Thingol |
| Artwork Type: No artwork type listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, General, Romance | Challenges: Arda on Ice |
| Rating: General | Warnings: |
| Posted on 16 August 2022 | Updated on 25 September 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| | |
Willow by Anérea, Narya
A willow-spirit: some places she went and the people she met.
Story by Narya, painting by Anérea.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Original Female Character(s), Elrond, Farmer Maggot, Finrod Felagund, Goldberry, Maedhros, Maglor, Maiar, Tuor, Voronwë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: No artwork type listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: |
| Posted on 1 September 2022 | Updated on 25 September 2022 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| | |
Incubation by elennalore
Melkor in the Void. A poem in free verse and accompanying art.
| Major Characters: Melkor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: No artwork type listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Posted on 12 September 2022 | Updated on 12 September 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| | |
Surfacing Light by Anérea, Maggie Honeybite
A "missing scene", and a painting, inspired by Answers in the Dark by Keiliss.
On the night before he sails to Númenor on his mission, Erestor has a dream that sends him to Gil-galad's room in search of some sexual healing. Fits in right after chapter 7: Tea and History of Answers in the Dark. Alternatively, could be read as just a hot PWP. A gift for Keiliss.
| Major Characters: Erestor, Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: Erestor/Gil-galad |
| Artwork Type: No artwork type listed |
| Genres: Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: |
| Posted on 23 August 2022 | Updated on 29 August 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| | |
Scrapbook by Independence1776
Maglor brings Nerdanel a scrapbook of his time in Middle-earth.
| Major Characters: Maglor, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: Maglor & Nerdanel |
| Artwork Type: No artwork type listed |
| Genres: Family | Challenges: Restoration and Rebuilding |
| Rating: General | Warnings: |
| Posted on 16 August 2022 | Updated on 19 August 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| | |
Sauron vs Finrod in Eregion by elennalore
The Gwaith-i-Mírdain turn a famous duel into a stage play.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: Celebrimbor/Sauron |
| Artwork Type: No artwork type listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Zingers |
| Rating: General | Warnings: |
| Posted on 10 August 2022 | Updated on 10 August 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| | |
