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
The Wise and the Lovely by StarSpray
Melian knew even before she went to see her daughter that Lúthien was planning an escape from Hírilorn.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 507 |
| Posted on 4 April 2017 | Updated on 4 April 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Stone and Light by Fernstrike
The Silmaril is set in the Nauglamir, and nothing good comes of it on either side of the ensuing conflict.
| Major Characters: Dwarves, Elu Thingol, Elves, Mablung, Original Character(s), Oropher, Thranduil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: B2MeM 2017 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 926 |
| Posted on 4 April 2017 | Updated on 4 April 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
A Bat's Tale by Lingwiloke
Even the mighty ones sometimes need help.
| Major Characters: Ilmarë, Original Character(s), Thuringwethil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Romance | Challenges: B2MeM 2017 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 897 |
| Posted on 3 April 2017 | Updated on 3 April 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Weaver and the Broideress by Lingwiloke
Vairë's thoughts on a certain resident of the Halls of Mandos. (Written for the Tolkien Secret Santa 2016 on tumblr)
| Major Characters: Míriel Serindë, Vairë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 7, 143 |
| Posted on 3 April 2017 | Updated on 3 April 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
A Garden of Plots by LadyBrooke
Nimloth is reborn, builds her own house, and starts a garden.
| Major Characters: Anairë, Nimloth |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Strength and Beauty |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 410 |
| Posted on 2 April 2017 | Updated on 2 April 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Don't Explain by Gwidhiel
Galadriel's return to Aman prompts Indis to reflect on the state of her fragmented family and defunct marriage.
| Major Characters: Estë, Eärwen, Finarfin, Findis, Finrod Felagund, Galadriel, Indis, Lórien, Melian, Míriel Serindë, Nienna, Vairë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: Strong Women |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 15 | Word Count: 37, 024 |
| Posted on 13 April 2008 | Updated on 1 April 2017 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (29) |
A Song of Ice and Fire by My blue rose
“All happy families are alike; each unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.” ~ Leo Tolstoy. A non-chronological look at the early life of House Fëanor in Aman, from its various members.
| Major Characters: Celegorm, Fëanor, Maedhros, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 31, 816 |
| Posted on 23 July 2016 | Updated on 1 April 2017 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
The Golden Dancer by Lyra
Fëanor first sees Indis as she practices a traditional Vanyarin spear-dance. Fascination turns into life-long antipathy.
Inspired by the B2MeM prompt, "when he first stood near her and recognized her dimly through the shadows, like one who, at the beginning of the month, either sees or thinks he has seen the moon rise through clouds." ~Vergil, The Aenid
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Finwë, Indis |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: B2MeM 2017, Strength and Beauty |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 084 |
| Posted on 30 March 2017 | Updated on 30 March 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (9) |
Reunion : Maedhros and Fingon in the Halls of Mandos. by bunn
“Your safety is assured,” the Maia said. “They will not be allowed to do you any harm.”
Of course, that made it impossible to refuse. Fingon gave the Maia his best incredulous expression. “I have fought dragons and Balrogs. I think I can handle a cousin and an uncle. Lead the way.”
| Major Characters: Amras, Amrod, Caranthir, Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 211 |
| Posted on 30 March 2017 | Updated on 30 March 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Nerdanel and Fëanor : Messages by bunn
A series of extracts from the Mandos Messaging Service.
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 161 |
| Posted on 30 March 2017 | Updated on 30 March 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Black and White by Lingwiloke
Maeglin realizes that during his visits to the dwarves he felt less of a stranger than during his time in Gondolin.
| Major Characters: Maeglin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Poetry | Challenges: B2MeM 2017 |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 836 |
| Posted on 28 March 2017 | Updated on 28 March 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Sons of Fire and Blood by Ar-Feiniel
A tragic poem for each tragic son of Fëanor - their glorious rise and disasterous fall. Fëanorian week 2017.
| Major Characters: Amras, Amrod, Caranthir, Celegorm, Curufin, Fëanor, Maedhros, Maglor, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Torture, Character Death, Mature Themes, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 7 | Word Count: 21, 565 |
| Posted on 22 March 2017 | Updated on 28 March 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Things of Beauty by LadyBrooke
Thingol bargains for a necklace, the dwarves make a crown to scare dragons, and Narvi decides to make up for Celebrimbor's failings.
Three linked drabbles.
| Major Characters: Azaghâl, Celebrimbor, Narvi, Nimloth |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, General | Challenges: B2MeM 2017, Strength and Beauty |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 306 |
| Posted on 27 March 2017 | Updated on 27 March 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Do Not Go Gentle by StarSpray
Lúthien dies, but on her own terms.
| Major Characters: Beren, Lúthien Tinúviel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, Het | Challenges: B2MeM 2017 |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 18, 734 |
| Posted on 27 March 2017 | Updated on 27 March 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
One day in Doriath: Strength and Beauty. by hennethgalad
The relationship between Celeborn and Thranduil, the engagement of Celeborn and Galadriel.
| Major Characters: Celeborn, Elu Thingol, Galadriel, Melian, Oropher, Thranduil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Erotica | Challenges: Strength and Beauty |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Rape/Nonconsensual Sex, Torture, Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 134 |
| Posted on 27 March 2017 | Updated on 27 March 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
A Story of Seven by NelyafinweFeanorion
A story for Feanorian week. One chapter for each brother. Based on the seven deadly sins and the seven virtues.
I am an unapologetic fan of the sons of Fëanor. I find them (and their parents and extended family) to be the most fascinating, complex and morally ambiguous characters in Tolkien's writings.
I usually tend to view and write them in a positive, redemptive light. This was an attempt for me to write a darker or less appealing side of them. Of course, being me, I had to counter each negative I wrote with its opposing positive.
| Major Characters: Amras, Amrod, Caranthir, Celegorm, Curufin, Elrond, Elros, Erestor, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 7 | Word Count: 9, 714 |
| Posted on 21 March 2017 | Updated on 26 March 2017 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
See How They Burn by Grundy
Vignettes from the relationship of Fëanor and Nerdanel, from beginning to parting.
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Findis, Fingolfin, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 470 |
| Posted on 26 March 2017 | Updated on 26 March 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Artanis to Alatiriel: Earweniel's Homecoming by Kaylee Arafinwiel
Written for B2MEM 2017 and the March Strength and Beauty challenge: loosely linked tales of Galadriel's welcome in Alqualonde at the end of the Third Age.
Idril remembers, as she walks on the shore of Alqualonde.
Some time after Idril greeted Galadriel at the quay (see "Itarilde and Tani"), they, Elwing, and Nimloth get together for a good catch-up. They don't intend to run into Galadriel's uncles (and aunt) at the tavern...Lindar s the term the Teleri use for themselves.
| Major Characters: Elwing, Eärendil, Galadriel, Gimli, Idril, Nimloth, Tuor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: B2MeM 2017, Strength and Beauty |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 1, 814 |
| Posted on 25 March 2017 | Updated on 25 March 2017 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Widow's Walk by heget
What Elwing seeks at the end of their long ocean voyage.
| Major Characters: Elwing, Eärendil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 176 |
| Posted on 25 March 2017 | Updated on 25 March 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
A Taste of Home by heget
A family meal in the last days of the First Age.
| Major Characters: Elwing, Olwë, Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 926 |
| Posted on 25 March 2017 | Updated on 25 March 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Regret by Lingwiloke
After being re-embodied in Aman, a Noldorin exile is faced with a difficult question.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: B2MeM 2017 |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 801 |
| Posted on 25 March 2017 | Updated on 25 March 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
The Elf at the Bottom of the Garden by Himring
Could Amras, son of Feanor, and Haldar, Haleth's brother, have met?
I think they could--well, in my 'verse, at any rate.
Another glimpse of the early history of the Haladin, also featuring a very young Haleth.
Written both for the "Strength and Beauty" challenge at SWG and for the Ambarussa day of Feanorian Week (Tumblr), although it features only Amras.
| Major Characters: Amras, Haldad, Haldar, Haleth |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Strength and Beauty |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 585 |
| Posted on 24 March 2017 | Updated on 24 March 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (13) |
A Light Exists in Spring by Independence1776
While living in Dorwinion, Maglor receives help in making a life-changing decision.
| Major Characters: Maglor, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: B2MeM 2017 |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 269 |
| Posted on 24 March 2017 | Updated on 24 March 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Faithful by Fernstrike
The tenuous relationship between the King and the Elendili is coming to its breaking point. When Isildur steals the fruit of Nimloth, what follows brings the already-heavy boot of tyranny down harder upon the Faithful - especially the gifted healer, Nilûphel.
| Major Characters: Amandil, Elendil, Isildur, Original Character(s), Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: B2MeM 2017 |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 731 |
| Posted on 24 March 2017 | Updated on 24 March 2017 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
This Is My Family by Grundy
They say Tyelkormo's first love was the forests and wild places. As ever, 'they' are wrong.
| Major Characters: Celegorm, Elves, Fëanor, Finarfin, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 729 |
| Posted on 23 March 2017 | Updated on 23 March 2017 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
