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
empty halls by hanneswrites
Maedhros wakes to the warmth of Fingon wrapped around him.
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: Fingon/Maedhros |
| Genres: Ficlet, Hurt/Comfort, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 351 |
| Posted on 23 December 2022 | Updated on 23 December 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
On Such A Night As This by polutropos
Two friends discuss their fears and hopes on the shores of Cuiviénen.
| Major Characters: Elu Thingol, Finwë |
| Major Relationships: Finwë & Thingol |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Manwë's Mailbag |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 921 |
| Posted on 20 December 2022 | Updated on 23 December 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (17) |
Laurelindórenan by Anérea
Two figures under autumn/winter mallorn trees in the golden wood of Lothlórien.
| Major Characters: Celeborn, Celebrían, Galadriel |
| Major Relationships: Celeborn/Galadriel |
| Artwork Type: Drawing/Painting, Landscape |
| Genres: Family | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 18 December 2022 | Updated on 19 December 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (10) |
In the Elm-Woods of Ossiriand by StarSpray
Maglor and Maedhros lead the remnants of their people into Ossiriand to escape the worst of the War of Wrath.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: Elrond & Elros & Maglor |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 305 |
| Posted on 18 December 2022 | Updated on 18 December 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Into the West by elennalore
Celebrimbor travels to Númenor and finds a new direction to his life.
| Major Characters: Original Nonbinary Character(s), Celebrimbor, Erestor, Tar-Aldarion |
| Major Relationships: Celebrimbor & Erestor |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: Manwë's Mailbag |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 783 |
| Posted on 18 December 2022 | Updated on 18 December 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Túrin, Part 2 by firstamazon
Túrin's tale is the lengthiest and one of the most tangled of the tales that make up The Silmarillion. This section considers the center part of Túrin's life, after his exile from Doriath but before he fell into utter ruin, a time defined by friendship and honor rather than ruinous choices.
Radiance by StarSpray
Maitimo was crossing the courtyard, thinking of lunch, when his father burst out of his workshop, where he had been holed up for the last several days, neither eating nor, as far as anyone could tell, sleeping. “Maitimo!” he cried, eyes alight with the fire of success. “Come! Come and see!”
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: Fëanor & Maedhros |
| Genres: Ficlet, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 663 |
| Posted on 15 December 2022 | Updated on 16 December 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Far Over Land and Sea by polutropos
Maglor's use of Songs of Power. Currently includes Alqualondë and the Dagor-nuin-Giliath.
| Major Characters: Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: X Marks the Spot |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 628 |
| Posted on 15 November 2022 | Updated on 13 December 2022 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (11) |
Sisters Such As Us by Elleth
Anairë travels to Alqualondë for research. Little did she expect to be swept off her feet by its princess, nor what follows.
| Major Characters: Anairë, Eärwen |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Erotica, Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 603 |
| Posted on 20 March 2018 | Updated on 12 December 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Any Wise and Wintry Thing by Elleth
Evranin and Gereth meet in the woods of Doriath on a midwinter night, long before the birth of Elwing and the fall of Doriath. They share a night of passion, and when Doriath falls, they meet again.
| Major Characters: Evranin, Gereth |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 027 |
| Posted on 20 March 2018 | Updated on 12 December 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Dreams of Far Lands by Elleth
Lalwen receives a gift, and takes heart.
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Aredhel, Lalwen |
| Major Relationships: Aredhel & Lalwen |
| Genres: Femslash, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 242 |
| Posted on 23 June 2015 | Updated on 11 December 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Revels in Silence by Elleth
Níniel meets a wraith at night. Written for the Hearts in Council fic fest.
| Major Characters: Finduilas, Nienor |
| Major Relationships: Finduilas/Nienor |
| Genres: Femslash, Mystery, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 522 |
| Posted on 16 February 2014 | Updated on 11 December 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Counting Stars by chrissystriped
One-shots and shorter works set in my AU centered around my long fic 'Mighty Love', which is currently only posted on AO3: https://archiveofourown.org/works/11790954/chapters/26591097
Sorted chronologically.
| Major Characters: Original Male Character(s), Melkor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Warnings: No warnings apply | |
| Posted on 3 October 2022 | Updated on 11 December 2022 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
That Attraction Between Us by chrissystriped
Laiglas stared at him, his mouth hanging open. “I beg your pardon?”, he stammered and blushed when some things shot through his head, he sometimes dreamed of. Melkor and Mo in one bed with him... But: “Mablung... I’m sorry, but... you are my friend, I love you, but I don’t think of you like that.” Mablung laughed cheerfully. “You don’t have to be sorry for that, I feel the same about you. But I still think the four of us could have fun.”
Melkor and Mablung have a proposal for their friends.
| Major Characters: Original Male Character(s), Melkor |
| Major Relationships: Melkor/Original Character |
| Genres: Poly, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings, Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 7, 995 |
| Posted on 5 June 2020 | Updated on 11 December 2022 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
First Times by chrissystriped
Sinthoras just said it in jest, but Galathil thinks it might be the thing to make him feel save enough to try sex again.
| Major Characters: Original Male Character(s), Gothmog |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings, Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 3, 513 |
| Posted on 4 June 2019 | Updated on 11 December 2022 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Taste of Strawberries by chrissystriped
After moving into their new house, Melkor goes to the market to buy food. He finds something he knows Mablung will like.
| Major Characters: Original Male Character(s), Melkor |
| Major Relationships: Melkor/Original Character |
| Genres: General, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 997 |
| Posted on 1 May 2019 | Updated on 11 December 2022 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
A Birthday Morning by chrissystriped
Mablung opened his eyes with a happy sigh as he was kissed awake.
“Good morning, love”, Melkor smiled down at him. “And happy birthday.”
Mablung wakes to a tasty birthday present by Melkor.
| Major Characters: Original Male Character(s), Melkor |
| Major Relationships: Melkor/Original Character |
| Genres: Fluff, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 773 |
| Posted on 1 August 2021 | Updated on 11 December 2022 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
We meet again by chrissystriped
After the War of Wrath, Sinthoras hears that his daughter came to Aman and visits her in Tirion. There's someone in her house, he didn't expect.
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Original Male Character(s), Gothmog |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 534 |
| Posted on 10 July 2019 | Updated on 11 December 2022 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Inaudible: Three Words by chrissystriped
This was what he enjoyed the most about being allowed to sleep in his Master’s bed most of the time now. Not the soft mattress and the warm blankets, though that was comfortable. No, it was the fact that this way he was sometimes woken by his Master’s gentle touches.
It's Mablung's birthday again, though he remembers it only after a while.
| Major Characters: Original Male Character(s), Melkor |
| Major Relationships: Melkor/Original Character |
| Genres: Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings, Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 367 |
| Posted on 5 November 2019 | Updated on 11 December 2022 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Galadriel: Parallels among Women in History and Literature by MirienSilowende
Tolkien may have taken inspiration for Galadriel's character—an outspoken queen figure—from literary and historical figures like Circe, Eleanor of Aquitaine, and Joan of Arc.
The Breathing Sea by StarSpray
‘Alas! there are some wounds that cannot be wholly cured,’ said Gandalf.
‘I fear it may be so with mine,’ said Frodo. ‘There is no real going back. Though I may come to the Shire, it will not seem the same; for I shall not be the same. I am wounded with knife, sting, and tooth, and a long burden. Where shall I find rest?’
Gandalf did not answer.
- The Return of the King, “Homeward Bound”
| Major Characters: Bilbo Baggins, Elves, Frodo, Gandalf |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 10 | Word Count: 18, 709 |
| Posted on 18 February 2019 | Updated on 8 December 2022 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (10) |
Friendship and Stern Demand by polutropos
The letters exchanged between Maedhros Fëanorion and Elwing Dioriel, c. FA 534-537.
| Major Characters: Elwing, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: Elwing & Maedhros |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 885 |
| Posted on 5 December 2022 | Updated on 7 December 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
You're going out like that? by Rocky41_7
Sometimes you try a new look and suddenly your whole family becomes a panel of fashion critics. Maglor hates it here.
| Major Characters: Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet, Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 617 |
| Posted on 5 December 2022 | Updated on 5 December 2022 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Galadriel by polutropos
Galadriel, based on a Greek vase painting of Circe.
| Major Characters: Galadriel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Drawing/Painting, Mixed Media |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 5 December 2022 | Updated on 5 December 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (5) |
To Justify Your Existence by JazTheBard
In which Maedhros dies and has some explaining to do to his family.
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Maedhros, Sons of Fëanor |
| Major Relationships: Fëanor & Maedhros, Amras & Amrod & Caranthir & Celegorm & Curufin & Fëanor & Maedhros & Maglor, Elrond & Elros & Maedhros |
| Genres: Drama, Family | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death, Suicide |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 257 |
| Posted on 3 December 2022 | Updated on 4 December 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
