New Challenge: Bollywood
This month's challenge offers songs, films, and tropes from Bollywood, the world's largest film industry based out of India, as prompts for fanworks.
SWG News
Cultus Dispatches: Fandom Chocolate … or Authors Love Comments
Tolkien Fanfiction Survey data provides insight into how comments benefit authors and which authors are most impacted by a lack of comments, with a digression on authors' perspectives one-click feedback like kudos.
A Sense of History: Passing Ships
As Tolkien's characters in various texts gaze out to the sea, what do they see? What is brought by the ships coming out of the West?
Beta-Reader List Now Available
The beta-reader list and profiles have been moved into our new system and are available again.
New & Updated Fanworks
[Writing] No Time Have I by Flora-lass
A Silmarillion acrostic.
[Writing] An exercise in music... And patience by Aprilertuile
Makalaurë was sitting at the harp in his music room. He was holding a dark blindfold in his hands and was looking at it with much scepticism.
[Writing] I called it Fate that I should fail by AdmirableMonster
Nimruzimir, a natural philosopher recently out of his apprenticeship, hardly considers himself very important to anyone, least of all his colleagues. When his strange, prophetic fits bring him to the attention of the High Priest, however, he may find that his existence is less superfluous than…
[Writing] All of you by chrissystriped
Elrond and Celebrían celebrate their anniversary with their family.
[Writing] Lament for the Singer by daughterofshadows
A short thing about Maglor, death and grieving.
[Writing] Cosmological Poems of Arda by AaronAzrael
I would like to share my revelations of Tolkien's Universe in the form of narrative and emotional poems.
[Writing] Eä's Redemption by AaronAzrael
This is my new poetical attempt to add my own interpretation to Tolkien's Cosmology as to Eru's Creation and the Valar's minds and behind-the-scene providence reasons and mechanisms.. I often review Eä as part of our own world, just in another dimension, this is why I have always seriously…
Current Challenge
Bollywood
Prompts this month are films, songs, and tropes from India's dazzling film industry, Bollywood. Read more ...
Random Challenge
Restoration and Rebuilding
Create a fanwork around a prompt focused on the theme of rebuilding and restoration. Read more ...
New in References
Fandom Chocolate … or Authors Love Comments by Dawn Walls-Thumma
[]Tolkien Fanfiction Survey data shows that authors view comments as driving their motivation to create fanfiction. However, perception of comments by authors is part of a larger shift in fandom around how and how often fans interact with each other.
Passing Ships by Simon J. Cook
[]The arrival and departure of ships across the Great Sea carries mythic significance for the peoples of Middle-earth. The image of ships crossing out of and back into a mysterious West appears as well in Beowulf and is alluded to in Tolkien's tower analogy in his lecture "Beowulf: The Monsters and the Critics," where the tower allows those who climb it to observe the passage of the ships.
Fanfiction and the Serious Business of Writer's Craft by Dawn Walls-Thumma
[]Tolkien Fanfiction Survey data shows that while most authors self-identify as taking their craft seriously, a growing subset of authors may be pushing that norm.
Beyond the Silmarillion
[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.
[Writing] From whose bourn no traveller returns by losselen
[]So gathered they were to Bree, what lieutenants who could be spared, from their scattered watches west and east, for their chieftain had returned from his long sojourn in lands godless and mountains strange.
Aragorn returns from the South to tells his tales. Halbarad listens.
[Writing] Sand Sorcery by StarSpray
[]It is well known that Psamathos does not leave his cove. He does not like to get his feet wet, and prefers to spend his days dozing under the sun.
Around the World and Web
Fellowship of the Fics: Summer Stories 2024
Fellowship of the Fics offers four weeks of summer-themed prompts during the month of July.
July challenge at tolkienshortfanworks posted
The tolkienshortfanworks challenge for July has been posted to the Dreamwidth community. The thematic challenge is: original character or unnamed canon character; the formal challenge: fixed length of multiple of 50 words. New participants welcome.
July 2024 Call for Papers and Proposals
Conferences and publications that have open calls for papers and proposals in July 2024.
Teitho June/July Challenge: Mentor
The June/July prompt for the Teitho challenge is "mentor" and invites fanworks about this relationship in Tolkien's works.
Scribbles & Drabbles 2024
A chill Tolkien event, where artists make art, and authors write little stories in response. Begins in June and ends in November.
New and Updated Fanworks
Include Beyond the Silmarillion Fanworks
Quenta Narquelion by bunn
What if Fëanor's spirit never left the halls of Mandos because it never went there in the first place?
Fëanor, dead, watches the First Age unfold and from time to time, joins in. Canon-compliant character death and a detailed account of the Eastern Front of the War of Wrath. [Thanks to pp for beta reading]
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Fëanor, Maedhros, Maglor, Sauron, Sons of Fëanor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 23 | Word Count: 119, 810 |
| Posted on 8 May 2018 | Updated on 27 June 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (19) |
I Will Share Your Road by Lotrfan
The road from Tirion is harsh and difficult but Nolofinwë finds his arrival in Beleriand far different than he expected.
Written for the Teitho contest prompt "Expectation."
| Major Characters: Fingolfin, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 804 |
| Posted on 23 June 2018 | Updated on 23 June 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
West Over Sirion by swampdiamonds
Gwindor considers the best route home.
| Major Characters: Gwindor, Túrin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 137 |
| Posted on 18 June 2018 | Updated on 18 June 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Scion of Kings by janeways
Gil-Galad reflects on his heritage and pens a letter to the man he thinks (hopes?) might be his father.
| Major Characters: Eluréd, Elurín, Fingon, Gil-galad, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 4 | Word Count: 4, 765 |
| Posted on 7 May 2018 | Updated on 15 June 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (14) |
Sing me a Song of the Queen who is Gone by Raiyana
He thought it was over, the darkest days of grief had passed, giving way to slivers of sunlight and new hope growing.
For a while, he was right.
And then he wasn't, then he was sucked right back into those grim days, trying to keep his heart from breaking but knowing it would inevitably shatter in his breast.
There was only one choice left, and it was no choice at all; it was despair and a guilt he would carry until the end of days, guilt under which he would become a version of himself he hardly recognised...
Or, the story of the Queen of Greenwood and the King who banished her for love and a desperate hope... and the shattered family she left behind.
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Thranduil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Het, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 4 | Word Count: 7, 110 |
| Posted on 26 May 2018 | Updated on 14 June 2018 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Nightingale before the power of Night by Laura Elizabeth
Luthien casts her songspell over Morgoth.
| Major Characters: Lúthien Tinúviel, Melkor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 89 |
| Posted on 13 June 2018 | Updated on 13 June 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
No Sign of Weakness by oshun
Sparring Finwean cousins.
May-June Challenge Entry - Competition/Prompt: Lucie Jones: Never Give Up On You lyrics – 2017 Eurovision Song Contest
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Celegorm, Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Competition |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 565 |
| Posted on 11 June 2018 | Updated on 11 June 2018 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (14) |
A Farcical Attempt by LadyBrooke
Having recently arrived in Valinor, the three greatest minstrels of Middle-earth are told they will participate in a contest against singers from Valinor.
Daeron thinks Maglor is taking this competition far too seriously.
| Major Characters: Daeron, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Humor | Challenges: Competition |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 078 |
| Posted on 11 June 2018 | Updated on 11 June 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (18) |
Both Alike In Dignity by Grundy
Great minds think alike in Second Age Eregion.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Narvi |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Competition |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 701 |
| Posted on 10 June 2018 | Updated on 10 June 2018 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
Trouble in the library by Jane Speedwell
A young Fëanáro has become interested in linguistics, and Tirion's top etymologist is not happy.
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Original Male Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 731 |
| Posted on 9 June 2018 | Updated on 9 June 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (7) |
His Own Words by Tyelca
The private thoughts of Gríma, counselor to King Théoden of Rohan. The story of how a young man of great potential turned into a traitor to his country, told in his own words.
| Major Characters: Gríma Wormtongue, Men |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: Competition |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 371 |
| Posted on 9 June 2018 | Updated on 9 June 2018 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Falling Stars by Tyelca
For we have to remember that a falling star is nothing but a meteor, a burning mass of rock and ice that rapidly descends through the atmosphere before crashing on the surface, leaving nothing but destruction in its wake.
Seven stories for Fëanorian Week.
| Major Characters: Celegorm, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Horror | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Suicide, Character Death |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 5, 437 |
| Posted on 31 May 2018 | Updated on 9 June 2018 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
Hour of the Wolf by ElberethTheStarkindler
Finrod musters up the courage to die.
| Major Characters: Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Competition |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 328 |
| Posted on 9 June 2018 | Updated on 9 June 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Heroes iii) Play. by hennethgalad
(3 of 3). (part of Laurelöt).
Glorfindel is invited to the House of Curumo (Saruman) where he meets Ingwë.
| Major Characters: Glorfindel, Ingwë, Saruman |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Competition |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 194 |
| Posted on 6 June 2018 | Updated on 6 June 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Heroes ii) Tailors of Tirion. by hennethgalad
2 of 3 (part of Laurelöt)
On his first day in Tirion, Glorfindel chooses at the tailors.
| Major Characters: Erestor, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Competition |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 147 |
| Posted on 6 June 2018 | Updated on 6 June 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Heroes i). Inside. by hennethgalad
1of 3. (and part of Laurelöt)
The first day in Tirion for Glorfindel. He learns a great deal.
| Major Characters: Erestor, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Competition |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 729 |
| Posted on 6 June 2018 | Updated on 6 June 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Of Eol & Aredhel by gamil-zirak
This is the tale of Eol and Aredhel as told from a different perspective. Some may like it and others not so much. As the author I can only hope that many will read it. I hope you all enjoy the story.
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Ecthelion of the Fountain, Eöl, Idril, Maeglin, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 4 | Word Count: 41, 212 |
| Posted on 13 March 2017 | Updated on 6 June 2018 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Only Teardrops by Raiyana
The Host of the Valar is almost ready to leave Aman... including someone unexpected.
| Major Characters: Nerdanel, Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Competition |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 825 |
| Posted on 5 June 2018 | Updated on 5 June 2018 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Silver Fragments Falling by StarSpray
When Finrod had previously considered his death, he had thought it would come in battle, at the end of a sword or a mace or an arrow.
| Major Characters: Amarië, Beren, Finrod Felagund, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Het | Challenges: Competition |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 099 |
| Posted on 31 May 2018 | Updated on 31 May 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (13) |
(Vote) Up Not Down by Himring
Life is too short for some kind of contests.
Maybe it's possible to love one thing without knocking the alternative.
(Especially if both of them happen to be fictional, in any case.)
Free verse (pretty much extra free)
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: Competition |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 169 |
| Posted on 28 May 2018 | Updated on 28 May 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (12) |
In the Light of the Sun and the Moon by Raiyana
The year is 130 of the Third Age of the Sun, and peace has been restored to the Eldar after the great and Terrible War that ended the previous Age... or has it?
Glorfindel has doubts, and when Elrond is kidnapped, he smells a nefarious plot afoot...
Can he save his friend from a no-doubt terrible fate at the hands of his abductor?
| Major Characters: Celebrían, Elrond, Erestor, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 104 |
| Posted on 26 May 2018 | Updated on 26 May 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Enemies to Sons by eris_of_imladris
Gil-galad’s relationship with Elrond and Elros from beginning to end. A prequel, midquel and sequel to Fourth Father from Gil-galad's POV, as requested by Tamuril2 on ao3. Written in the spirit of the Differing Perspectives challenge.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Gil-galad, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Differing Perspectives |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 5, 782 |
| Posted on 24 May 2018 | Updated on 24 May 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (14) |
The Words You Left Me by eris_of_imladris
Ten words that influenced Fëanor and Fingolfin’s relationship and drove them down their paths to doom. Inspired by the concept and lyrics of Milim from Eurovision 2010 as part of SWG’s “Competition” prompt.
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Fingolfin, Finwë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Competition |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 10 | Word Count: 4, 879 |
| Posted on 20 May 2018 | Updated on 20 May 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (14) |
Dramatic Arts by Raiyana
Erestor learns a new thing about his lover... and likes it ;)
Glorfindel rather enjoys it, too, in the end...
| Major Characters: Erestor, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Erotica, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 617 |
| Posted on 14 May 2018 | Updated on 14 May 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Stargazing by Grundy
Celebrimbor needs to get away from it all from time to time. He stumbles across someone he did not expect in his favorite spot.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Elrond |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 035 |
| Posted on 11 May 2018 | Updated on 11 May 2018 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
