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
Akallabêth in August
Every August, we focus on one of the most tumultuous times in Arda's history: the Second Age and the rise and fall of Númenor. Any story that is or might conceivably be part of the Akallabêth is acceptable for this challenge. 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
A Sudden Outcry: The Tolkien Estate and Fanworks by SWG Newsletter Staff
In March 2022, the Tolkien Estate opened a newly designed website, including an FAQ that left fans asking: Did the Tolkien Estate just ban fanworks? We use the Estate's history, along with copyright law, to make the case that fans have nothing to fear.
Death of an Orc by Himring
Sometime in the Fourth Age, Maglor, wandering along the shore, comes across a dying orc.
This leads him to question some of his beliefs and reconsider earlier experiences.
| Major Characters: Maglor, Orcs |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 237 |
| Posted on 13 March 2022 | Updated on 13 March 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
United We Stand by Rocky41_7
The Feanorians had not looked for their Exile kin, and had expected no reunion. When Nolofinwe arrives in Middle-earth, they must determine if he has come as friend or foe.
| Major Characters: Caranthir, Celegorm, Fingolfin, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Family | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 4, 862 |
| Posted on 11 March 2022 | Updated on 11 March 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Come Back to the Valley by StarSpray
Celebrían sees Elrond off when he departs for Mordor, and she is there to greet him when he returns.
| Major Characters: Celebrían, Elrond |
| Major Relationships: Celebrían/Elrond |
| Genres: Het | Challenges: Opposites Attract |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 1, 596 |
| Posted on 9 March 2022 | Updated on 10 March 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
A Difference of Interpretation, A Similarity of Intent by Rocky41_7
Nerdanel is certain she and Prince Fëanáro are not courting; Fëanáro has another perspective.
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: Fëanor/Nerdanel, Female/Male |
| Genres: Fluff, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 587 |
| Posted on 9 March 2022 | Updated on 9 March 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Sky was Cloudless Blue by Rocky41_7
The Feanorians leave blood and ash in their wake, and Thranduil searches for Elrond and Elros in the wreckage of the Havens.
| Major Characters: Unnamed Female Canon Character(s), Thranduil |
| Major Relationships: Thranduil/Unnamed Canon Character, Female/Male |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 281 |
| Posted on 3 March 2022 | Updated on 9 March 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Insomnia by Sublime Penguin
Anairës nightly vigil before Ñolofinwë leaves, illustration for Till Morning Breaks by Raiyana
| Major Characters: Anairë, Fingolfin |
| Major Relationships: Anairë/Fingolfin |
| Artwork Type: Drawing/Painting |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 5 March 2022 | Updated on 5 March 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (5) |
Transcript of Divorce Proceedings: Mairon v. Melkor by Rocky41_7
Official family court transcript of the divorce proceedings in the matter of Mairon v. Melkor.
Expletives have been redacted from the transcript.
| Major Characters: Melkor, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: Melkor/Sauron |
| Genres: Humor, Script/Play/Screenplay | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 6, 783 |
| Posted on 5 March 2022 | Updated on 5 March 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
The Forge by Sublime Penguin
Gereth at her forge.
As far as I know, there's no lore regarding elves and tattoos. I love the idea that they might have had them, but with special ink that made them appear differently, or not at all, depending on circumstances like day, mood, and words spoken.
Notes:
Done for the Worldbuilding Exchange 2018, for Lunarium and heavily inspired by their works featuring Gereth
| Major Characters: Gereth |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Drawing/Painting |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 5 March 2022 | Updated on 5 March 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (10) |
Under Cloud and Under Star by StarSpray
Peony Took intends to outdo her cousin Bilbo in her travels, and heads to Rhûn. There she finds the growing presence of servants of Mordor, but also Elves--and one in particular in dire need of rescue.
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Drama, General, Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Mature Themes, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 9 | Word Count: 20, 340 |
| Posted on 11 September 2021 | Updated on 5 March 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Air All Full of Singing by StarSpray
Roverandom is left behind and bored when his boy goes off on holiday, but then a strange magical musician comes through town...
| Major Characters: Daeron, Goldberry, Maglor, Thranduil, Tom Bombadil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Crossover, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 10, 941 |
| Posted on 3 September 2019 | Updated on 5 March 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Ossë by Dawn Walls-Thumma
One of the longest-enduring characters in the legendarium, Ossë evolved over the decades from a perilous character adjacent to Melkor himself to a figure both dangerous and benevolent.
Of Nerdanel by Rocky41_7
The House of Finwe grieves its losses, and Nerdanel struggles to find purchase in a stormy sea.
| Major Characters: Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Family | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 595 |
| Posted on 4 March 2022 | Updated on 4 March 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
the marks that bind us by polutropos
In Ossiriand after Nirnaeth Arnoediad, Celegorm meets the Green-elf he deserves.
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Celegorm |
| Major Relationships: Celegorm/Original Character |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Opposites Attract |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: In-Universe Racism/Ethnocentrism, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 993 |
| Posted on 4 March 2022 | Updated on 4 March 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Nienna's House by Independence1776
Floorplan of Nienna's house.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Drawing/Painting |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 3 March 2022 | Updated on 4 March 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (2) |
Calm and Storm by Independence1776
The Third Kinslaying: the calm before the storm and the aftereffects.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Moodboard/Collage |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Opposites Attract |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Posted on 3 March 2022 | Updated on 3 March 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (8) |
Silmarillion as Space Opera by Independence1776
Evil Empire! Scrappy Rebel groups that have a similar overall goal and different ideas of the best way to achieve it! Different Elven cultures having unique styles of spaceships! Laser swords! Elven magic!
Maglor and his wife Calien (pictured) are on a scouting mission when they learn information that will lead them deep into the heart of Morgoth’s Empire: to the capital planet of Angband itself. They team up with Beren and Lúthien for the mission despite their groups’ differences.
| Major Characters: Unnamed Female Canon Character(s), Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Moodboard/Collage |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Science Fiction | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 3 March 2022 | Updated on 3 March 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (2) |
Off on an Adventure by Independence1776
A Hobbit lass off on an adventure in the East stumbles across a captive Maglor. Further adventures ensue.
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Moodboard/Collage |
| Genres: Adventure | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Posted on 3 March 2022 | Updated on 3 March 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (2) |
This is how we defend ourselves by Independence1776
A graphic of ways Tolkien characters defend themselves, both literally and metaphorically: sword and shield, song and story, family and friends.
| 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 March 2022 | Updated on 3 March 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (2) |
Maglor Meets Roverandom by Independence1776
Maglor meets Roverandom and goes on an adventure.
| Major Characters: Other Fictional Character(s), Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Artwork Type: Moodboard/Collage |
| Genres: Adventure | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 3 March 2022 | Updated on 3 March 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (2) |
I Didn't Realize You Were Coming by Rocky41_7
Maedhros never stopped thinking of little cousin Finrod as the Elfling who followed him around pulling at his robes and playing games. Finrod was happy to keep it that way, but Maedhros was bound to find out about the parties someday.
| Major Characters: Finrod Felagund, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: Finrod & Maedhros |
| Genres: Family, Ficlet, Humor | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 605 |
| Posted on 2 March 2022 | Updated on 3 March 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
In the Rose-Gold Light of Valinor by Rocky41_7
Finrod was like another little brother to him.
| Major Characters: Finrod Felagund, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: Finrod & Maedhros |
| Genres: Drama, Family | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 6, 836 |
| Posted on 1 March 2022 | Updated on 2 March 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
After the Dragon by Lferion
After his first encounter with Glaurung, Fingon reflects on what it means to be brave.
| Major Characters: Celegorm, Fingon |
| Major Relationships: Celegorm & Fingon |
| Genres: Adventure, Crossover, Drama, Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Opposites Attract |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 402 |
| Posted on 2 March 2022 | Updated on 2 March 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
First Ruins of the Noldor by Rocky41_7
The sundering of the Noldor was bound to leave scars.
| Major Characters: Anairë |
| Major Relationships: Anairë/Fingolfin |
| Genres: Drama, Family | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 9, 418 |
| Posted on 1 March 2022 | Updated on 1 March 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Death to the Young by Kaylee Arafinwiel
As Dior lays dying, yearning to reach twin boys taken from his care, something deep within him cracks and slams into place. There's more of his grandmother Melian in him that he ever thought he would inherit.
| Major Characters: Dior |
| Major Relationships: Dior/Nimloth |
| Genres: Horror | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 455 |
| Posted on 1 March 2022 | Updated on 1 March 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
