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
Strong Women
Choose a female character from The Silmarillion or related texts who contributes something of value and create a fanwork about her. 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
Rewilding by Himring
It sounds as if none of the people of Enedwaith who were defeated by the Numenoreans returned.
But maybe a few did, once the Numenorean port was falling into ruin?
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Restoration and Rebuilding |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 100 |
| Posted on 10 September 2022 | Updated on 10 September 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
The Call of the Loon by SonOfMandos
Captured by Lúthien and her Marchwardens, Celegorm is the prisoner of the princess in Menegroth. Against his will, he finds himself the personal retainer of the daughter of Melian. Desiring to repent and heal his soul from his sins, Celegorm accepts his fate as a servant. Warned of the situation by Galadriel, Finrod tries to resolve it with his great-uncle. Naturally, Lúthien has a strange sense of humour and refuses to give the Fëanorian back to his family.
| Major Characters: Beren, Celegorm, Lúthien Tinúviel |
| Major Relationships: Beren/Luthien |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Crackfic | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 12, 538 |
| Posted on 8 September 2022 | Updated on 8 September 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
L'imbécillité by SonOfMandos
S’il y avait une chose qu’Erestor méprisait, c’était l’imbécillité.
Alors Erestor, une personne « comme il faut », s'est donné le droit de rouspéter.
| Major Characters: Erestor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Crackfic | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 626 |
| Posted on 6 September 2022 | Updated on 7 September 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Worthy of the Valar by Ellynn
Modern-day Maglor discovers one new drink invented by humans. He is doubtful at first, but after he tries it, the result will shock him.
| Major Characters: Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 518 |
| Posted on 7 September 2022 | Updated on 7 September 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Two Birds in Love by chrissystriped
Eonwe and Reviahûn have been a couple for many centuries. When Reviahûn manages to flee from his captivity in Angband, their world changes completely not only because the trees are gone.
| Major Characters: Eönwë, Maiar, Manwë |
| Major Relationships: Eönwë/Original Character |
| Genres: Hurt/Comfort, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Warnings: No warnings apply | |
| Posted on 6 September 2022 | Updated on 7 September 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Going to War by chrissystriped
Eonwe leaves to fight in the War of Wrath, hoping he'll be able to take vengeance for what Sauron did to Reviahûn. Reviahûn just hopes he'll come back home safely.
| Major Characters: Original Male Character(s), Eönwë, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: Eönwë/Original Character |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 382 |
| Posted on 26 July 2021 | Updated on 7 September 2022 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Tamed Falcon by chrissystriped
When he can't bear wearing an elvish shape, Reviahûn turns into a falcon to find peace. But when he's starting to feel better, he realises he might enjoy it beyond that.
| Major Characters: Original Male Character(s), Eönwë, Maiar |
| Major Relationships: Eönwë/Original Character |
| Genres: Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings, Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 995 |
| Posted on 10 October 2019 | Updated on 7 September 2022 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Freedom is Mine by chrissystriped
Tarilanya, freed from Angband and back home in Valinor, enjoys her life.
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 148 |
| Posted on 7 September 2022 | Updated on 7 September 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
To Grow a Forest by chrissystriped
A fire has destroyed part of a forest, but the elves are there to help it regrow
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 178 |
| Posted on 7 September 2022 | Updated on 7 September 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Road to the Havens: The First Step by Himring
Andvir later supplies information about Turin to the poet who wrote a poem about him, but what does it mean for him, personally, to be the son of one of the most agressive of Turin's outlaws and nevertheless end up at the Havens?
| Major Characters: Andvír |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Restoration and Rebuilding |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 100 |
| Posted on 6 September 2022 | Updated on 6 September 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
A Soul like broken Wings by chrissystriped
Reviahûn managed to flee from Angband when his body died, but he lost all sense of who he is. Eonwe tries to make his beloved remember, but when he finally does, it raises even more problems.
| Major Characters: Original Male Character(s), Eönwë, Manwë |
| Major Relationships: Eönwë/Original Character |
| Genres: Hurt/Comfort, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings, Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 4 | Word Count: 9, 107 |
| Posted on 11 September 2019 | Updated on 6 September 2022 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Atanatari: Of the Three Houses of the Edain by Himring
A collection for stories about the Edain.
Recently added: The chair (Sador Labadal)
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Original Female Character(s), Aerin, Beldis, Beleg, Brandir, Dírhavel, Finduilas, Galdor (Edain), Glóredhel, Haleth, Handir, Hareth, Hathaldir, Hunleth, Hunthor, Huor, Húrin, Imrahil, Lalaith, Men, Morwen, Rían, Sador Labadal, Tuor, Túrin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, General, Poetry, Romance | Challenges: B2MeM 2015, Hidden Figures |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 16 | Word Count: 7, 348 |
| Posted on 21 June 2014 | Updated on 6 September 2022 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (12) |
Galadriel: There and Back Again by Himring
A series of three vignettes from the life of Galadriel.
Home is behind, the world ahead (First Age): Shortly after her arrival in Middle-earth, Galadriel visits the beach of Losgar.
Does not apply (First Age): Galadriel in conversation with her eldest brother Finrod Felagund.
The world behind and home ahead (Third Age): Galadriel leaves Middle-earth, boarding ship at the Grey Havens.
Now added: an extra double drabble: "Star-glass", on the making of the phial of Galadriel
| Major Characters: Bilbo Baggins, Fingon, Finrod Felagund, Galadriel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 4 | Word Count: 1, 811 |
| Posted on 14 September 2012 | Updated on 6 September 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (18) |
Caged Bird by chrissystriped
Reviahûn is guarding the Trees when Melkor comes to kill them but what can a Maia do against the mightiest of the Valar?
| Major Characters: Original Male Character(s), Eönwë, Melkor, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: Eönwë/Original Character, Original Character/Sauron |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Rape/Nonconsensual Sex, Torture, Violence (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 215 |
| Posted on 19 November 2019 | Updated on 6 September 2022 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
What Brings Us Together by Aipilosse
crossposted on AO3
Life in Fourth Age Valinor is good for Celebrimbor. He has his students, he has his projects, and if life is a little less exciting than it was in Middle-earth, that’s probably for the best, right? So when a series of events conspires to bring Sauron the Dark Lord back into all of their lives, he must decide if he will help him regain his memories or if some things are better left in the past.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Galadriel, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: Celebrimbor/Sauron |
| Genres: Adventure, Drama, Humor, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Moderate), Torture, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 25 | Word Count: 133, 541 |
| Posted on 24 April 2021 | Updated on 5 September 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
With Daisies in Her Hair by StarSpray
Sam has just settled himself on Tol Eressea when Galadriel comes to call.
| Major Characters: Galadriel, Samwise Gamgee |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet, Fluff, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 897 |
| Posted on 5 September 2022 | Updated on 5 September 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
"The House of a Friend" & other drabbles by Himring
The friendship of Narvi and Celebrimbor: Narvi and Celebrimbor work on the Doors of Moria and other scenes.
Now added: Exploring Upwards (extra double drabble)
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Dwarves |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Akallabêth in August |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 8 | Word Count: 953 |
| Posted on 10 August 2013 | Updated on 4 September 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (22) |
Answering Light by Anérea
Inspired by Surfacing, Into Light by Maggie Honeybite featuring Keiliss' Erestor and Gil-galad from Answers in the Dark, the sequel to Burning Bright: The Road.
- - -
Music: Come Back to Us · Thomas Newman
| Major Characters: Erestor, Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: Erestor/Gil-galad |
| Artwork Type: Character/Portrait, Drawing/Painting, Illustration |
| Genres: Romance, Slash | Challenges: Restoration and Rebuilding |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 23 August 2022 | Updated on 4 September 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (20) |
“The Burnt Hand Teaches Most About Fire”: Applying Trauma Exposure and Ecological Frameworks to Narratives of Displacement and Resettlement Across Elven Cultures in Tolkien’s Middle-earth by UnnamedElement
This two-part paper discusses different elven responses to trauma exposure and forced displacement in Beleriand and Middle-earth (absolutely not exhaustive!). The first half of the paper focuses on Elrond's response to traumatic stress, while the second half compares the impact of Galadriel and Oropher's migration into formerly Silvan realms. First given at the Tolkien Society's Diversity & Tolkien seminar in 2021.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Galadriel, J.R.R. Tolkien, Nandor, Oropher, Sindar |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Nonfiction/Meta | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 5, 961 |
| Posted on 3 September 2022 | Updated on 3 September 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
After The Fall by Grundy
A moodboard showing the path of the survivors of Gondolin.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Moodboard/Collage |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 3 September 2022 | Updated on 3 September 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (1) |
The Wealth of Yavanna's Imagining by Grundy
A Yavanna moodboard featuring her creation of birds and other flying creatures.
| Major Characters: Yavanna |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Moodboard/Collage |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 3 September 2022 | Updated on 3 September 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (2) |
Helcaraxë by Anérea
The followers of Fingolfin Nolofinwë spent years (or decades, depending on which version of Tolkien's maths you subscribe to) on the treacherous crossing of the grinding ice between Aman and Middle-Earth.
| Major Characters: Elenwë, Elves, Fingolfin, Fingon, Finrod Felagund, Idril, Noldor, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Drawing/Painting, Illustration, Landscape |
| Genres: Adventure | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 2 September 2022 | Updated on 2 September 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (1) |
For Godhood is Wrought of Blood by vaecordia
The swelling influence of the Elven kindgoms caught thus the notice of one who named himself Annatar, and to Eregion he arrived with little flourish yet with much to give. He came before Celebrimbor, and bowed deep in respect, which impressed the Lord for the humility of one so great as him, as a Maia, as one of the Ainur.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: Celebrimbor/Sauron |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Character Death, Torture, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 10, 584 |
| Posted on 1 September 2022 | Updated on 1 September 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Angrod - Lord of Dorthonion by Gabriel
This artwork is a depiction of Angrod, son of Finarfin, and all that represents his life in Dorthonion. It is also a companion piece to a story I recently uploaded, 'Star In The Darkness.'
| Major Characters: Historical Character(s), Angrod |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Moodboard/Collage |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 30 August 2022 | Updated on 30 August 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (2) |
Storm Season by Independence1776
My first artwork for TRSB 2022. Huan washes ashore in Fourth Age Harad, where Maglor has been living for decades.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Huan, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Moodboard/Collage |
| Genres: Adventure, Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 30 August 2022 | Updated on 30 August 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (6) |
