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
Four Elements
Create four fanworks, each of centered around a different one of the four elements. 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
Finrod: 30-Day Character Study by cuarthol
Following the 30-day Character Study Challenge for Finrod Felagund. To include notes/thoughts, fic, art, and more.
All 30 days are finished!
| Major Characters: Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Mixed Media, General, Nonfiction/Meta | Challenges: 30-Day Character Study, Jubilee |
| Warnings: No warnings apply | |
| Posted on 16 January 2023 | Updated on 9 February 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (1) |
Finrod: 30-Day Character Study - Writings by cuarthol
Story/fiction writing prompts for the 30-Day Character Challenge.
| Major Characters: Aegnor, Amarië, Finarfin, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: Finarfin & Finrod, Amarië/Finrod |
| Genres: General | Challenges: 30-Day Character Study, Jubilee |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 7 | Word Count: 2, 622 |
| Posted on 16 January 2023 | Updated on 9 February 2023 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
Finrod: 30-Day Character Study - Artwork by cuarthol
Art created for the related prompts for the 30-Day Character Study Challenge.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: Andreth & Finrod, Aegnor/Andreth |
| Artwork Type: Drawing/Painting |
| Genres: General, Het | Challenges: 30-Day Character Study, Jubilee |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 20 January 2023 | Updated on 9 February 2023 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (12) |
The Last Scion of Tevildo by Lindariel
What happens to the offspring of a cat possessed by a Maia of sharpness?
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Original Male Character(s), Eagles, Glorfindel, Melkor, Tevildo |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Crackfic, Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 9, 111 |
| Posted on 21 January 2021 | Updated on 8 February 2023 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
The Dawn of a New Era by Varda delle Stelle
At the beginning of the Fourth Era in Aman Maedhros and Fingon are reunited.
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: Fingon/Maedhros |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, Fluff | Challenges: Gnome Tome, Jubilee |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 664 |
| Posted on 8 February 2023 | Updated on 8 February 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Possession by elennalore
In captivity, Celebrimbor draws the diagram of the tower where he’s held.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor |
| Major Relationships: Celebrimbor/Sauron |
| Genres: Alternate Universe | Challenges: Jubilee, Notion Club Revival |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 122 |
| Posted on 4 February 2023 | Updated on 4 February 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Smudged by cuarthol
“My lord! Excellent news!”
Gil-galad looked up, expectation mixed with mild humor on his face at the eager young scribe who had come to stand before him.
The scribe held up an old, water-damaged tome and declared with absolute assurance, “We finally know who your father is!”
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Jubilee, Solve a Problem |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 830 |
| Posted on 1 February 2023 | Updated on 1 February 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (9) |
We'll dance among the stars by daughterofshadows
We spend some time with our friends from Gondolin, learn about Nellas and Galdor's relationship in this universe and do a lot of worldbuilding.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Galdor of the Tree, Legolas of Gondolin, Nellas |
| Major Relationships: Galdor of the Tree/Nellas |
| Genres: Adventure, Alternate Universe, Family, Science Fiction | Challenges: Jubilee, X Marks the Spot |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 5, 992 |
| Posted on 27 January 2023 | Updated on 1 February 2023 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
For love to bloom by daughterofshadows
Dís, Belladonna and a quiet day together.
| Major Characters: Belladonna Took Baggins, Dís |
| Major Relationships: Belladonna Took Baggins/Dís |
| Genres: Femslash, Ficlet, Fluff, Romance | Challenges: Block Party, Jubilee |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 228 |
| Posted on 1 February 2023 | Updated on 1 February 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Dance At Your Wedding by Tarion Anarore
A gift, a farewell, and a blessing that she wasn't seeking. Galadriel and Orodreth upon Tol Sirion.
| Major Characters: Galadriel, Orodreth |
| Major Relationships: Celeborn/Galadriel |
| Genres: Ficlet, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 722 |
| Posted on 31 January 2023 | Updated on 31 January 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
With sword in hand by Morcondil
Many in Valinor sought the hand of the lady Galadriel; to none did she give her heart, for none were worthy.
| Major Characters: Celeborn, Galadriel |
| Major Relationships: Celeborn/Galadriel |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 981 |
| Posted on 3 May 2018 | Updated on 29 January 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
No enemy but self by Morcondil
Lost on the Helcaraxë, Aredhel begins to doubt herself. An unwelcome conversation with her least-favorite cousin brings fear and feeling into perspective.
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Galadriel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 749 |
| Posted on 12 October 2016 | Updated on 29 January 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Winter Light by Zdenka
A music playlist to go with Dawn Felagund's fic Yule Lights. Featuring Celebrimbor, his memories of his family, and Annatar (who is not up to anything suspicious, of course not).
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Music (Classical, Folk, Instrumental, K-pop/J-pop/C-pop, New Age, Pop, Soundtrack, Vocal) | Challenges: Holiday Party, Jubilee |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Posted on 28 January 2023 | Updated on 28 January 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (2) |
Into the Unknown - Welcome to the Beleriand System by daughterofshadows
- Welcome to the Beleriand System!
- Join me as we traverse space stations and ships great and small, meet characters from all across the legendarium and explore new and exciting parts of the Arda Galaxy!
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Family, General, Science Fiction | Challenges: Also Appearing |
| Warnings: No warnings apply | |
| Posted on 6 July 2022 | Updated on 27 January 2023 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Seven Mighty Stars by StarSpray
"Then [Varda] began a great labor, greatest of all the works of the Valar since their coming into Arda. She took the silver dews from the vats of Telperion, and therewith she made new stars and brighter against the coming of the Firstborn ... And high in the north as a challenge to Melkor she set the crown of seven mighty stars to swing, Valacirca, the Sickle of the Valar and sign of doom." - The Silmarillion, "Of the Coming of the Elves"
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Fiber/Textile Art, Landscape |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 25 January 2023 | Updated on 25 January 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (6) |
Power and Desire: The Silmarils vs The One Ring by StarSpray
What do the Silmarils and the Ring have in common? They are both the titular objects of their respective books around which the major plot turns, it is true. They are both made by powerful individuals, and are desired by many different people, and when they are lost and/or stolen their makers are desperate to retrieve them. Characters die for them, and kill for them. At this extremely surface level reading they do, indeed, seem very similar. But the deeper you look at each object the more glaring differences show themselves, until you realize that they do not parallel, but rather oppose each other.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Nonfiction/Meta | Challenges: Analysing Arda, Jubilee |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 391 |
| Posted on 22 January 2023 | Updated on 24 January 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
melodies by hanneswrites
Maedhros watches on as Maglor & Fingon try to settle a debate over whose harp is better. | Years of the Trees, Quenya Names Used
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: Fingon/Maedhros/Maglor |
| Genres: Ficlet, Fluff, Humor, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Incest |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 224 |
| Posted on 23 January 2023 | Updated on 23 January 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
rockrose & thistle by hanneswrites
Nerdanel & Eärwen have tea, talk, and find peace in each other's company.
| Major Characters: Eärwen, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: Eärwen/Nerdanel |
| Genres: Femslash, Ficlet, Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 980 |
| Posted on 7 January 2023 | Updated on 23 January 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
A Briefer Light by Himring
Elros considers the lamps of the Edain.
| Major Characters: Elros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Jubilee |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 103 |
| Posted on 23 January 2023 | Updated on 23 January 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
A Demand of the Princess by Rocky41_7
Nerdanel did Feanor a favor; now she has a demand.
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: Fëanor/Nerdanel |
| Genres: Erotica, Het | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 512 |
| Posted on 23 January 2023 | Updated on 23 January 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Cousin by Ellynn
One Sindarin elf was born with a much greater Ósanwë gift than the others, which he discovered while still a child. Much later, as an adult, when he encounters an enemy after the battle, he will realize – thanks to his gift – that the encounter is very unusual.
| Major Characters: Original Male Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 319 |
| Posted on 21 January 2023 | Updated on 21 January 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
A Cup Always Half Empty by Rocky41_7
Maglor wishes he could want less.
| Major Characters: Maglor, Thranduil |
| Major Relationships: Maglor/Thranduil |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Drama, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 116 |
| Posted on 19 January 2023 | Updated on 21 January 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Maeglin's Choice by chrissystriped
After his release from Angband, Maeglin confides in Rog and events take a better turn.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Eärendil, Maeglin, Rog |
| Major Relationships: Celebrimbor/Maeglin, Maeglin & Rog, Eärendil/Elwing |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn, Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 18 | Word Count: 30, 094 |
| Posted on 7 December 2021 | Updated on 21 January 2023 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Daughter of the House of Beor by StarSpray
Whenever he came to visit, or when they were in company together, Elwing was aware of Finrod watching her, searching her face as though he was looking for something. (A double-drabble)
| Major Characters: Elwing, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: Elwing & Finrod |
| Genres: Family, Fixed-Length Ficlet, General | Challenges: Ancestors, Jubilee |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 202 |
| Posted on 21 January 2023 | Updated on 21 January 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Into the Depths by Zdenka
A dark Tar-Míriel/Uinen fanmix.
| Major Characters: Tar-Míriel, Uinen |
| Major Relationships: Tar-Míriel/Uinen |
| Genres: Music (Classical, Folk, Metal, Opera, Rock, Vocal) | Challenges: Jubilee |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn, Mature Themes |
| Posted on 21 January 2023 | Updated on 21 January 2023 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (3) |
