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] Unforgotten by daughterofshadows
Carrying the Silmaril for millennia has consequences.
[Series] The Light and the Sea (Steampunk Númenor) by AdmirableMonster
Largely focused on Númenor, its fall, and the aftermath, as seen from the perspective of two Mannish scientists, bit players in some ways, but who nonetheless cast their shadows across the history of Middle Earth.
[Writing] Reflections by AdmirableMonster
A story of three friends in Númenor, one of whom attracts the attention of the High Priest. What does friendship mean in the shadow of the Black Temple?
[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.
Current Challenge
Bollywood
Prompts this month are films, songs, and tropes from India's dazzling film industry, Bollywood. Read more ...
Random Challenge
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
Maedhros - Fëanor | Silmarillion | animated illustration by Sirielle
My Maedhros & Fëanor portraits morphing with "Let the Havens Burn" illustration in motion.
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 17 May 2023 | Updated on 17 May 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Nerdanel by Sirielle
Illustration to The House of Fëanor by Deborah Judge, inspired by The Silmarillion.
| Major Characters: Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Drawing/Painting, Illustration |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 17 May 2023 | Updated on 17 May 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (8) |
Finarfin, Idril Celebrindal and Anairë by Sirielle
Illustration to The House of Fëanor by Deborah Judge, inspired by The Silmarillion.
| Major Characters: Anairë, Finarfin, Idril |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Character/Portrait, Drawing/Painting, Illustration |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 17 May 2023 | Updated on 17 May 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (4) |
Pearl Diving by StarSpray
Daeron, Beleg, and Mablung go to the Falas for pearls to take back to Thingol.
| Major Characters: Beleg, Daeron, Mablung |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet, Fluff, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 403 |
| Posted on 17 May 2023 | Updated on 17 May 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
What Might Gnaw by Lferion
A riddle-sonnet contemplating the nature of that which, desperate, devours.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Poetry | Challenges: Bestiary of Arda |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 145 |
| Posted on 15 May 2023 | Updated on 15 May 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (16) |
[podfic] Haven by Chestnut_pod
The ship diminishes against the horizon, the sun rising to brighten the waves, the curve of Eärendil’s arm falling as his figure becomes smaller, turning away.
Uinen’s mercy, Elwing thinks, and bites her tongue rather than pray.
A podfic of a story by Simaetha.
| Major Characters: Elwing |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Podfic | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 15 August 2022 | Updated on 15 May 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Clouds by Grundy
Young Elladan and Elrohir are at odds over something they read in a book. Glorfindel is called on to settle the matter.
| Major Characters: Elladan, Elrohir, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet | Challenges: Rejects |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 477 |
| Posted on 14 May 2023 | Updated on 14 May 2023 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Song of the Numenoreans by Himring
It is the middle of the Second Age.
The Numenoreans, who always tended to think a little more highly of themselves than perhaps they deserved, have turned oppressive and grasping.
Inhabitants of coastal towns are always happy to see Numenorean ships approaching (not).
| Major Characters: Men, Númenóreans |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 121 |
| Posted on 14 May 2023 | Updated on 14 May 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Eyes In The Dark by LadySternchen
-Arda is filled with "brownies, fays, pixies, leprawns, and what else are they not called, for their number is very great"-
Little Denethor is playing by the river, when he happens to look up into the trees. And the trees look back.
| Major Characters: Denethor (Nandor), Lenwë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet | Challenges: Rejects |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 517 |
| Posted on 12 May 2023 | Updated on 12 May 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
what was lost on the ice by skywardstruck
If I sing now, will you answer me?
Once childhood friends, now king and captain, Finrod and Edrahil mourn for what they lost in each other on the Helcaraxë.
| Major Characters: Edrahil, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: Finrod/Edrahil |
| Genres: Romance, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 437 |
| Posted on 10 May 2023 | Updated on 12 May 2023 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
[podfic] Luminous by Chestnut_pod, StarSpray
Nerdanel crafts her first sculpture of strange but beautiful shape.
| Major Characters: Mahtan, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: Mahtan & Nerdanel |
| Genres: Podfic | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 11 May 2023 | Updated on 11 May 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (2) |
Laurelin & Telperion by StarSpray
“Under her song the saplings grew and became fair and tall, and came to flower; and thus there awoke in the world the Two Trees of Valinor. Of all things which Yavanna made they have the most renown, and about their fate all the tales of the Elder Days are woven.”
~ The Silmarillion, “Of The Beginning of Days”
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Fiber/Textile Art |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 9 May 2023 | Updated on 9 May 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (6) |
You Are My Sunshine by Rocky41_7
Amarie and Finrod, from paradise through tragedy to rebirth
| Major Characters: Amarië, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: Amarië/Finrod |
| Genres: Music (Pop) | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 6 May 2023 | Updated on 8 May 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Nan Elmoth by cuarthol
A sonnet for Thingol and Melian
| Major Characters: Elu Thingol, Melian |
| Major Relationships: Melian/Thingol |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 88 |
| Posted on 8 May 2023 | Updated on 8 May 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
Wandering in the Gloaming by Rocky41_7
Playlist for the king and queen of Mirkwood.
| Major Characters: Unnamed Canon Character(s), Unnamed Female Canon Character(s), Thranduil |
| Major Relationships: Thranduil/Unnamed Canon Character |
| Genres: Music (Folk, Instrumental, Soundtrack, Vocal) | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 11 June 2022 | Updated on 8 May 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Star Trails and Bird's Wings by Rocky41_7
Songs for Elwing, Earendil, and the family they lost.
| Major Characters: Eärendil, Elwing |
| Major Relationships: Eärendil/Elwing, Elrond & Elwing, Elros & Elwing |
| Genres: Music (Folk, Instrumental, Opera, Soundtrack) | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 26 July 2022 | Updated on 8 May 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
What the Water Gave Me by Rocky41_7
Playlist to go with my fic of the same name
| Major Characters: Finduilas, Nienor |
| Major Relationships: Finduilas/Nienor |
| Genres: Music (Alternative/Punk, Instrumental, Pop, Soundtrack) | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 8 May 2023 | Updated on 8 May 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
In Sweet Music is Such Art by reindeer_pizza
Little Luthien has a strange encounter one night.
| Major Characters: Lúthien Tinúviel, Tinfang |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet | Challenges: Rejects |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 529 |
| Posted on 7 May 2023 | Updated on 7 May 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (7) |
This Shadow will not Endure by Rocky41_7
For the first time since Finrod’s rebirth in Aman, he and Amarie are intimate.
| Major Characters: Amarië, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: Amarië/Finrod |
| Genres: Het, Hurt/Comfort, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 596 |
| Posted on 6 May 2023 | Updated on 6 May 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
A Place for Such Joy as Theirs by Himring
Embittered by Aldarion's departure on a long overseas journey against her will, Erendis dismisses the pair of wonderful Elven-birds that were given to her by visitors from Tol Eressea during her honeymoon. The birds briefly visit Erendis's parents on their flight back to Tol Eressea, but will not let themselves be touched and afterwards, it seems, they are not seen or heard again in Numenor.
"Sweet fools, fly away!" Erendis said. "This is no place for such joy as yours."
I have written a fix-it for the loss of the Elven-birds, sort of.
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Númenóreans |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Rejects |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 265 |
| Posted on 1 May 2023 | Updated on 1 May 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (12) |
Send in the Clowns: A story of Numenorean theatre by Himring
Tar-Vanimelde's last performance turns out more dramatic than her son expects.
| Major Characters: Númenóreans, Tar-Alcarin, Tar-Vanimeldë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, General | Challenges: Block Party |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 1, 925 |
| Posted on 2 May 2020 | Updated on 1 May 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (12) |
Dancer of Numenor by Himring
The career of Lominzil, an up-and coming star of the stage in Armenelos, was originally inspired by the example of Tar-Vanimelde.
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Gnome Tome |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 101 |
| Posted on 31 October 2021 | Updated on 1 May 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Maker of Songs by Himring
Three drabbles about Rian and music (fixed-length):
I. Like to the lark at break of day arising
II. Calling, Calling
III. The many bells of the goats upon the fells
| Major Characters: Rían |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 306 |
| Posted on 30 April 2023 | Updated on 1 May 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Back to the Surface by chrissystriped
Two dwarves have a special catch in their nets. Old oaths and curses need a solution before the last witnesses of the First Age sail to the West.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Dís, Dwarves, Elrond, Gandalf |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe | Challenges: Rejects |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 192 |
| Posted on 30 April 2023 | Updated on 30 April 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Interview with Artist Busymagpie by Anérea
Interview with fanartist Busymagpie where she shares a bit of her background in art, her motivations and methods, and how she came to create her alter-ego Nastymagpie's spicier images.
