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
Pride
Create a fanwork using a prompt from an LGBTQIA+ person, choosing from music, art, poetry, and quotations. 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
One woman's journey by Lyra
From the bliss of Valinor to the turbulent shores of Middle-earth, the life of Galadriel never gets boring.
A series of vignettes following my set of prompts for the Matryoshka challenge.
| Major Characters: Galadriel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Experimental | Challenges: Hero's Journey |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 4, 138 |
| Posted on 8 June 2017 | Updated on 8 June 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
The Hero's Journey 5. by hennethgalad
Glorfindel confronts Celegorm.
| Major Characters: Celegorm, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Hero's Journey |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 100 |
| Posted on 30 May 2017 | Updated on 30 May 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Hero's Journey 4 by hennethgalad
Glorfindel admits his fear.
| Major Characters: Celegorm, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Hero's Journey |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 101 |
| Posted on 27 May 2017 | Updated on 27 May 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Fugue by Himring
Maedhros faces Elwing at the Havens of Sirion.
Chiefly from Maedhros's point of view.
With a cameo of little Elrond taking charge.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elwing, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 345 |
| Posted on 26 May 2017 | Updated on 26 May 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
The Hero's Journey 3 by hennethgalad
The true nature of Celegorm becomes apparent to Glorfindel.
| Major Characters: Celegorm, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Hero's Journey |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 38 |
| Posted on 25 May 2017 | Updated on 25 May 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
A Day In The Life by hennethgalad
The youth of Glorfindel in Valinor
| Major Characters: Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Hero's Journey |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 100 |
| Posted on 22 May 2017 | Updated on 22 May 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
The Hero's Journey 2 by hennethgalad
Celegorm and Glorfindel meet.
| Major Characters: Celegorm, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Hero's Journey |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 101 |
| Posted on 22 May 2017 | Updated on 22 May 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The trails of Nan Elmoth by Chiara Cadrich
The tale of Aredhel and Eöl.
Part 5 - Dark deeds
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Eöl |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Drama, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 11, 395 |
| Posted on 4 March 2017 | Updated on 20 May 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
With Doom We Come by Lingwiloke
Gwindor and Finduilas meet for the last time before he leaves for what would afterwards be called the Battle of Unnumbered Tears.
| Major Characters: Finduilas, Gwindor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Romance | Challenges: B2MeM 2017 |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 616 |
| Posted on 17 May 2017 | Updated on 17 May 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Just Deserts by Lingwiloke
Elros has found a starving Maglor on the beach. What now?
| Major Characters: Elros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: B2MeM 2017 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 891 |
| Posted on 17 May 2017 | Updated on 17 May 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
A Queen For The Fourth Age by Kaylee Arafinwiel
Elessar’s great-great-granddaughter is set to become the Two Kingdoms’ first queen. After all, she was firstborn, before her twin brother – the Princess’ Champion. But there may be trouble ahead...
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Original Female Character(s), Original Male Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Woman's Sceptre |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 160 |
| Posted on 11 May 2017 | Updated on 11 May 2017 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
I Will Wait by Lotrfan
Turgon, after the Fall of Gondolin
For the SWG April/May A Woman's Sceptre Challenge.
Prompt:
“Some say cavalry and other claim infantry or a fleet of long oars is the supreme sight on the black earth. I say it is the one you love.” Sappho.
| Major Characters: Mandos, Turgon, Vairë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Woman's Sceptre |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 988 |
| Posted on 11 May 2017 | Updated on 11 May 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
First Time Ever I Saw Your Face by oshun
For the April-May A Woman's Sceptre Challenge. Prompt:
“I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” ~ Maya Angelou
Fëanáro remembers Nerdanel. A story of redemption. If you do not like Fëanor, you will probably not want to read it.
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Lórien, Mandos, Nerdanel, Valar |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Woman's Sceptre |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 575 |
| Posted on 10 May 2017 | Updated on 10 May 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (14) |
The Decadent Queen by Scribe of Mirrormere
Tar-Anducal and Alcarin remember Tar-Vanimeldë differently.
| Major Characters: Herucalmo, Tar-Alcarin, Tar-Vanimeldë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Woman's Sceptre |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 855 |
| Posted on 10 May 2017 | Updated on 10 May 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
An Education in Stone by Erulisse
Nerdanel is given a commission - present a sculptural work to the people of Valinor that will feature images of the Valar. But as an artist, she must remain true to her personal vision. What does that vision convey to the people and to the Valar who are depicted through her carved stone?
| Major Characters: Finarfin, Ingwë, Nerdanel, Olwë, Valar |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Woman's Sceptre |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 361 |
| Posted on 9 May 2017 | Updated on 9 May 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
Words by Himring
A short extra scene in the Athrabeth Finrod ah Andreth:
Finrod and Andreth discuss matters of language.
| Major Characters: Andreth, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Woman's Sceptre |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 831 |
| Posted on 9 May 2017 | Updated on 9 May 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
Like a Shooting Star by StarSpray
For into darkness fell his star
In Mordor, where the shadows are
| Major Characters: Elrond, Finduilas, Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe | Challenges: Woman's Sceptre |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 364 |
| Posted on 9 May 2017 | Updated on 9 May 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Flight Through The Dark by Tyelca
In the form of a swan Elwing flies over the Sea, carrying a Silmaril and looking for her husband.
| Major Characters: Elwing |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: Woman's Sceptre |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 391 |
| Posted on 8 May 2017 | Updated on 8 May 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
"both the Seen and the Unseen" by hennethgalad
Melian takes Galadriel on a farewell trip
| Major Characters: Galadriel, Melian |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Woman's Sceptre |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 507 |
| Posted on 7 May 2017 | Updated on 7 May 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
We Cry The Same Tears by just_jenni
The three most important people in Aredhel's life try to come to terms with her death.
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Curufin, Maeglin, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: Woman's Sceptre |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 011 |
| Posted on 7 May 2017 | Updated on 7 May 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
The Council of Finrod by hennethgalad
More of Laurëlot.
Glorfindel attends his first council meeting.
| Major Characters: Finrod Felagund, Gildor, Glorfindel, Orodreth |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 961 |
| Posted on 1 May 2017 | Updated on 1 May 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
In Praise of the Feast at Ivrin by Himring
Of the Feast of Reuniting at the pools of Ivrin it is said that the joy of that feast was long remembered in later days of sorrow.
| Major Characters: Fingolfin, Noldor, Sindar |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 169 |
| Posted on 1 May 2017 | Updated on 1 May 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Her Father's Daughter by Grundy
Findis was the only one who stayed.
| Major Characters: Anairë, Eärwen, Findis, Lalwen, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Woman's Sceptre |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 230 |
| Posted on 1 May 2017 | Updated on 1 May 2017 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (13) |
Never Shall I See The Place by LadyBrooke
Never shall I see the place,
Where Enel woke and Enelyë roamed.
A poem of a Sindar/Silvan elf in Valinor.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: Woman's Sceptre |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 127 |
| Posted on 30 April 2017 | Updated on 30 April 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
Excession by hennethgalad
Celeborn falls under the shadow, and is drawn back to the light by Galadriel.
| Major Characters: Beleg, Celeborn, Finrod Felagund, Galadriel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Horror | Challenges: Woman's Sceptre |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 367 |
| Posted on 28 April 2017 | Updated on 28 April 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
