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
If Ever She Sang by sallysavestheday
Elwë was not the first Elf Melian drew into Nan Elmoth. He was the first of them to survive. A love story, of sorts.
| Major Characters: Elu Thingol, Melian |
| Major Relationships: Melian/Thingol |
| Genres: | Challenges: Rejects |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 417 |
| Posted on 26 April 2023 | Updated on 27 April 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (11) |
Maglor by polutropos
As one of the most beloved Silmarillion characters, Maglor is a bundle of contradictions undergirded by a complex textual history. Warrior, musician, wanderer, and survivor, Maglor brings to the fore key themes in Tolkien's early legendarium, such as the role of music, oaths, and exile.
Chasing Mirages by Russandol
The story of Eönwë, Maia of Manwë, and Mairon Aulendil after the War of Wrath. A tale of darkness, light, love and betrayal over the Ages of Eä.
Tolkien simply told us that [Sauron] fell back into evil, for the bonds that Morgoth had laid upon him were very strong. But this line is unsatisfactory on so many levels that it became a challenge to create a plausible background story for Sauron's fall, from the time Eönwë returns to Aman to face the Valar over his decision to free one of Morgoth's most dreaded minions to Sauron's final fate, long after the destruction of the Ring.
B2MeM 2011 and 2012 participant
MEFA 2011 1st Place - Incomplete: Drama & Smaug's Treasure (but complete since then!)
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Anárion, Celebrimbor, Elrond, Eönwë, Erestor, Finarfin, Gil-galad, Glorfindel, Maglor, Mandos, Manwë, Melian, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Drama, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: B2MeM 2011, B2MeM 2012, Fifth Birthday Celebration |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Character Death, Expletive Language, Mature Themes, Rape/Nonconsensual Sex, Sexual Content (Graphic), Torture, Violence (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 40 | Word Count: 174, 416 |
| Posted on 12 July 2010 | Updated on 23 April 2023 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (205) |
Ungoliant's Bane by polutropos
A spooky story has instilled a fear of spiders in young Elrond and Elros. Fortunately, Eärendil has returned from his latest sea voyage with a tale that will put their fears to rest.
Later, the boys tell Maglor of their father's exploits.
| Major Characters: Eärendil, Elrond, Elros, Elwing, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: Eärendil & Elrond & Elros, Elrond & Elros & Maglor |
| Genres: Family, Fluff, General | Challenges: Rejects |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings, Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 3, 227 |
| Posted on 16 April 2023 | Updated on 22 April 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (26) |
For the Love of Beleriand by Varda delle Stelle
The men were found by the avarin elf Nuin and after this the avari decided to adopt pretty much the atani and this change a lot of things in the history of Beleriand, all thanks to a curious elf
| Major Characters: Unnamed Canon Character(s), Avari, Men, Noldor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Ficlet | Challenges: Rejects |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 816 |
| Posted on 16 April 2023 | Updated on 22 April 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Atandil by Eilinel's Ghost
An ongoing series (estimated to ultimately include around 20-25 works) about Finrod & Bëor, their relationship, and how Finrod copes in the face of that loss. Basically, if you ever wanted a longer than necessary slow burn of these two trailblazing the elf-mortal love tragedy, I've got you covered.
I’m sorry for not having a more consistent schedule on getting these finished, edited, and posted. I’m juggling full-time work and in a busy season there, so I’ve been slipping this in wherever I can, but that does mean I’m a bit unpredictable when it comes to a posting schedule. Currently I'm managing approximately 1 piece every 2 weeks or thereabouts. Thanks for bearing with the slow burn!
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Original Male Character(s), Aegnor, Andreth, Balan, Baran, Belen, Bëor, Edain, Elves, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Warnings: No warnings apply | |
| Posted on 22 February 2023 | Updated on 21 April 2023 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (8) |
Part 07: A Heady Fragrance of Honey by Eilinel's Ghost
That it was returned, he did not question. He could look back now and see everything arranged in its full image, he could trace the careful dance they both wound through this past year; every word, every silence, every touch ringing through with that steady truth. How had he been so blind?
Springtime has come to Estolad. Finrod is struck with a realization he has been avoiding and faces the decisions that lie in its wake.
| Major Characters: Balan, Bëor, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: Bëor/Finrod |
| Genres: Drama, General, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 6, 745 |
| Posted on 21 April 2023 | Updated on 21 April 2023 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Vicious Inhumanity by Independence1776
Maglor and the other Elves underestimated the Human Preservation Organization.
Written for Narya in the 2023 GoreSwap exchange.
| Major Characters: Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Horror | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Torture, Violence (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 062 |
| Posted on 20 April 2023 | Updated on 20 April 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Horns of Ylmir by cuarthol
The sea-longing returns to Tuor, and he hopes he might be allowed to sail West, for the miseries of Middle-earth only grow and no place feels safe enough.
| Major Characters: Círdan, Eärendil, Idril, Tuor, Voronwë |
| Major Relationships: Idril/Tuor, Tuor & Voronwë, Tuor/Voronwë |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Rejects |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 536 |
| Posted on 20 April 2023 | Updated on 20 April 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
Telling Tales by StarSpray
Earendil's stories of his voyages are passed down through the years.
| Major Characters: Bilbo Baggins, Eärendil, Elrond, Elros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, Ficlet, Fixed-Length Ficlet, Fluff, General | Challenges: Rejects |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 462 |
| Posted on 19 April 2023 | Updated on 19 April 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (7) |
Remember no grievance by firstamazon
And when the tidings came to Balar of the fall of Gondolin and the death of Turgon, Ereinion Gil-galad son of Fingon was named High King of the Noldor in Middle-earth.
~Of Tuor and the Fall of Gondolin
When the War of Wrath breaks, Gil-galad must deal with a heavy contingent of refugees from all the fallen realms of Beleriand.
| Major Characters: Original Male Character(s), Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: Gil-galad & Original Character |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Jubilee, Manwë's Mailbag |
| Rating: General | Warnings: In-Universe Intolerance, In-Universe Classism, In-Universe Racism/Ethnocentrism |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 412 |
| Posted on 19 January 2023 | Updated on 19 April 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Of Ingwë Ingweron by heget
Of the history of the Elves at Cuiviénen and the development of the the three tribes, of the family of Elwë and the discovery of Oromë, of how Indis received her name and Ingwë earned his, and of the honor duel between Imin and Ingwë to decide the leadership of the Minyar and the future of the Eldar.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Elu Thingol, Elves, Finwë, Imin, Indis, Ingwë, Oromë, Valar, Vanyar |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Drama, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Mature Themes, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 9 | Word Count: 33, 575 |
| Posted on 3 October 2015 | Updated on 18 April 2023 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Celebrían by Grundy
Celebrían is one of the legion of women in the legendarium whose status suggests she should play a more prominent role in the narrative than she does. This month's biography sifts through the many mentions of Celebrían in various sources to provide a picture of this important—if canonically neglected—woman.
Salmar-Noldorin by Dawn Walls-Thumma
Salmar appeared early in the legendarium in a muddled variety of roles only to disappear swiftly, known in the published text as the artificer of the horns of Ulmo, the Ulumúri.
Guileless Son by Kaylee Arafinwiel
Carphadril, Queen of the Evair, moves against the King and Queen of Doriath, a threat to her rule. She raises a son who - she hopes - will wed Luthien and claim the throne of the other great forest realm for her.
| Major Characters: Daeron |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe | Challenges: Rejects |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 493 |
| Posted on 16 April 2023 | Updated on 16 April 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Maedhros's portrait by Varda delle Stelle
Here is a portrait of the Eldest son of Feanor, with his swords ready to try to protect his people and fufill his Oath
| Major Characters: Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Character/Portrait |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 16 April 2023 | Updated on 16 April 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (4) |
The Fates of Man by AdmirableMonster
Two natural philosophers struggle to warn the Faithful that the end of Númenor is approaching. But can sworn enemies find a way forward in the midst of the final tumult?
| Major Characters: Original Male Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: Original Character/Original Character, Original Character & Original Character |
| Genres: Adventure, Horror, Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: Rejects |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn, In-Universe Intolerance, In-Universe Racism/Ethnocentrism |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 6, 451 |
| Posted on 16 April 2023 | Updated on 16 April 2023 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
Written and Unwritten by Grundy
Young Feanor learns a lesson.
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Rúmil (Valinor) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Middle-earth Is Multitudes |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 482 |
| Posted on 15 April 2023 | Updated on 15 April 2023 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (7) |
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall by reindeer_pizza
Tyelkormo is the beloved daughter of Nerdanel and Fëanor. But what if she doesn't want to be a daughter?
| Major Characters: Celegorm, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: Celegorm & Nerdanel |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Middle-earth Is Multitudes |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: In-Universe Queerphobia/LGBTQIA+ Intolerance |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 601 |
| Posted on 14 April 2023 | Updated on 14 April 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Before the Storm by polutropos
As Elwing navigates uncertainties about identity, rulership, and her impending motherhood, a chance meeting with a reclusive woman of the Haladin leads to a relationship that will give her strength facing the challenges to come. [WiP. Rating based on chapter 1 but will change to Adult.]
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Elwing, Evranin |
| Major Relationships: Eärendil/Elwing, Elwing/Original Character |
| Genres: Femslash, General, Het | Challenges: Middle-earth Is Multitudes |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 926 |
| Posted on 9 April 2023 | Updated on 9 April 2023 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Of The Fate of Eluréd and Elurín by cuarthol
The cruel servants of Celegorm seized [Dior's] young sons and left them to starve in the forest... and of the fate of Eluréd and Elurín no tale tells.
| Major Characters: Original Agender Character(s), Eluréd, Elurín, Ents |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet, General | Challenges: Middle-earth Is Multitudes |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 963 |
| Posted on 9 April 2023 | Updated on 9 April 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Ulmo, Lord of Waters, Part 1 by Anérea
From the earliest version of the legendarium, Ulmo existed as the Lord of the Waters, although over the decades his character would evolve to fit the changing tone of the "Silmarillion." Part One of his biography considers his domain, his relationships with the other Ainur, and the symbolic significance of the watery element in Tolkien's work.
Rise before sunset by firstamazon
A disabled young man is approached by a mysterious stranger. A triple drabble.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Sauron |
| Major Relationships: Sauron & Original Character, Sauron & Witch-king of Angmar |
| Genres: Drama, Suspense | Challenges: Middle-earth Is Multitudes |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: In-Universe Intolerance |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 602 |
| Posted on 31 March 2023 | Updated on 3 April 2023 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (9) |
Part 06: Here in Our Frailty by Eilinel's Ghost
“Let us not perish here in the long darkness,” Balan said softly, crossing back to take one of the waiting wreaths and set it upon his own brow, “these creatures you chose to form. Remember us, here in our frailty.”
It is Yuletide. The Atani and Finrod celebrate throughout the night as they stay awake to greet the dawn after the Longest Night. Balan's people settle into Estolad, Atani traditions abound, and Finrod faces some memories.
| Major Characters: Balan, Bëor, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: Bëor/Finrod |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 9, 672 |
| Posted on 31 March 2023 | Updated on 31 March 2023 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Drabbles and one-shots by firstamazon
Drabbles and one-shots written for instadrabbling sessions on the SWG Discord server.
| Major Characters: Elladan, Elrohir, Elrond, Elros, Erestor, Fëanor, Glorfindel, Maedhros, Maglor, Míriel Serindë, Morwen, Orcs, Rúmil (Lothlórien), Sauron, Túrin, Witch-king of Angmar |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Drama, Family, Ficlet, General, Hurt/Comfort, Romance, Suspense | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Warnings: No warnings apply | |
| Posted on 21 May 2021 | Updated on 31 March 2023 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
