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
[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.
[Writing] Lament for the Singer by daughterofshadows
A short thing about Maglor, death and grieving.
Current Challenge
Bollywood
Prompts this month are films, songs, and tropes from India's dazzling film industry, Bollywood. Read more ...
Random Challenge
B2MeM 2011
Back to Middle-earth Month 2011 featured a daily postcard from a different location in Middle-earth with a creative prompt inspired by that location. 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
Book of Hours by heget
Various one-shots about the Valar and Maiar. Most are very short and come from requests on my tumblr.
| Major Characters: Aulë, Eönwë, Huan, Ilmarë, Lórien, Mandos, Manwë, Melian, Melkor, Nessa, Sauron, Tulkas, Vairë, Valar, Varda |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Experimental, Fixed-Length Ficlet, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 9 | Word Count: 3, 848 |
| Posted on 26 August 2015 | Updated on 21 October 2021 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
The Sea Comes for Helevorn by Himring
At the end of the War of Wrath, during the drowning of Beleriand, the Sea reaches ravaged Thargelion, where Caranthir once had his domain, and Lake Helevorn at the foot of Mount Rerir.
| Major Characters: Unnamed Female Canon Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 510 |
| Posted on 13 October 2021 | Updated on 13 October 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Mereth Aderthad by chrissystriped
The joy of that feast was long remembered in later days of sorrow; and it was called Mereth Aderthad, the Feast of Reuniting -- The Silmarillion
Fingolfin invites all the elves of Beleriand to a feast. It is a very good excuse to see Maedhros again.
| Major Characters: Fingolfin, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: Fingolfin/Maedhros |
| Genres: Erotica, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Incest, Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 11, 156 |
| Posted on 12 October 2021 | Updated on 12 October 2021 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
In Need of a Cold Shower by heget
At the dawn of the Second Age, Elrond volunteers himself to join an exciting quest to discover what nefarious mystery is threatening the distant north beyond the Icebay of Forochel. The two that join him are a Falmari maiden (and her giant swan companion) and a Sindarin veteran (with a direct connection to Elrond's childhood). If only they were not so interested in fighting each other. Or falling in love. Or driving Elrond crazy with their antics.
Hundred of miles to the south, safe and warm in his newly constructed palace in Númenor, his twin brother Elros laughs.
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Original Male Character(s), Elrond |
| Major Relationships: Original Character/Original Character |
| Genres: Adventure, Het, Humor, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 11 | Word Count: 35, 662 |
| Posted on 27 October 2020 | Updated on 12 October 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
He'll Knock Next Time by Grundy
Turgon interrupted something. Drabble written for the Dear Irmo challenge, inspired by the "Now You've Spoiled the Cheese ..." prompt.
| Major Characters: Idril, Tuor |
| Major Relationships: Idril/Tuor |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Dear Irmo |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 107 |
| Posted on 9 October 2021 | Updated on 9 October 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Finwean Ladies Week 2021 by Kaylee Arafinwiel
Loosely connected Finwean Ladies Week snippets written for the prompts.
Chapter One: Indis & Miriel (mostly Indis conflicting with Feanaro, mention of Findis, small Lalwen and Nolofinwe)
Chapter Two: Findis & Lalwen (Findis protesting Lalwen's desire to follow their brothers into Exile.)
Chapter Three: Artanis & Irisse (Galadriel and Aredhel on the Helcaraxe. Fingon being a teasing brother, mention of Finrod)
Chapter Four:
Chapter Five:
Chapter Six:
Chapter Seven:
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Elves, Fëanor, Findis, Fingolfin, Finrod Felagund, Galadriel, Indis, Lalwen |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Child Abuse, In-Universe Intolerance, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 914 |
| Posted on 7 October 2021 | Updated on 7 October 2021 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Out of Hopeful Green Stuff Woven by StarSpray
Findis waits for Lalwen outside of Mandos
| Major Characters: Findis, Lalwen |
| Major Relationships: Findis & Lalwen |
| Genres: Fluff, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 850 |
| Posted on 5 October 2021 | Updated on 5 October 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Thranduil's Shadow by Mimi Lind
Young Thranduil rushes into a relationship that divides his family, and a series of tragic events turns him cold and reserved. To find happiness and love he must deal with his shadows, but how can he ever become free of his father?
This is a story of how Thranduil met Legolas’ mother, and also a recount of parts of the Silmarillion from his perspective.
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Amroth, Beleg, Beren, Celeborn, Círdan, Galadriel, Legolas Greenleaf, Lúthien Tinúviel, Mablung, Oropher, Thranduil, Túrin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Character Death, Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Mild), Suicide, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 5, 682 |
| Posted on 14 February 2021 | Updated on 5 October 2021 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Meeting by Starlight by StarSpray
Miriel comes to see Indis one evening.
| Major Characters: Indis, Míriel Serindë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, Ficlet, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 521 |
| Posted on 4 October 2021 | Updated on 4 October 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
| Major Characters: Celegorm |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet, Fixed-Length Ficlet, General | Challenges: Dear Irmo |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 209 |
| Posted on 3 October 2021 | Updated on 3 October 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Quietus by UnnamedElement
Chroniclers will claim--above all else--that Maeglin left Nan Elmoth for desire of lordship alone. While we all know how the story ends, before that there was more: a mother and her son and a dark dark wood; three lives and three deaths, and the dazzling sunlight in between. This story is a portrait of the why behind the flight: family violence and a woman under siege, a child grown to adulthood in lonely darkness, learning to fight with only the tools provided him. It is a tale of childhood nightmares maturing into something more--manipulated by heart-darkened fathers and gently used by desperate mothers--until living becomes surviving and reality is a dream...
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Eöl, Maeglin |
| Major Relationships: Aredhel/Eöl, Aredhel & Eöl & Maeglin, Aredhel & Maeglin, Eöl & Maeglin |
| Genres: Drama, Family, General, Suspense | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Character Death, Check Notes for Warnings, Child Abuse, Domestic and Partner Violence, In-Universe Racism/Ethnocentrism, In-Universe Sexism/Misogyny, Rape/Nonconsensual Sex, Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 7 | Word Count: 15, 583 |
| Posted on 24 September 2021 | Updated on 1 October 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
No Fit Place by Independence1776
Instead of dying, Maedhros is captured by Sauron.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Eluréd, Elurín, Maedhros, Maglor, Sauron |
| Major Relationships: Elrond & Elros & Maedhros & Maglor |
| Genres: Alternate Universe | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 150 |
| Posted on 26 September 2021 | Updated on 26 September 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Full of Wisdom and Perfect in Beauty by Gadira
The History of the Downfall, from Ar Sakalthôr's accession to Ar Pharazôn's Armada. EPILOGUE: In Middle-earth, life begins anew, and hope lies hidden in the most unlikely places. Story now complete.
| Genres: Drama, General, Het, Horror, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Animal Abuse, Character Death, Expletive Language, In-Universe Racism/Ethnocentrism, Incest, Mature Themes, Rape/Nonconsensual Sex, Sexual Content (Mild), Suicide, Torture, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 159 | Word Count: 1, 003, 532 |
| Posted on 6 June 2007 | Updated on 26 September 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (21) |
This is just to say… by Himring
A letter to the author, by a writer of fan fiction.
That is, to Tolkien.
Written for a prompt of the "Dear Irmo" challenge.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Experimental, Nonfiction/Meta | Challenges: Dear Irmo |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 469 |
| Posted on 25 September 2021 | Updated on 26 September 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (12) |
The Swan-ship by heget
Their Falmari companion tells of the arrival of Eärendil's ship, Vingilot, to Alqualondë.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 451 |
| Posted on 26 September 2021 | Updated on 26 September 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Uinen by Dawn Walls-Thumma
Over the course of Tolkien's development of the legendarium, Uinen evolved from a morally murky nature deity to a protector of Arda's mariners.
Threads of Time by Kaylee Arafinwiel
Young Elwing seeks her Aunt Galadriel's reassurance after a disappointing judgement on her threadwork at the Arvernien Summer Faire.
| Major Characters: Elwing, Galadriel |
| Major Relationships: Elwing & Galadriel |
| Genres: Family | Challenges: Dear Irmo |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: In-Universe Racism/Ethnocentrism |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 590 |
| Posted on 21 September 2021 | Updated on 21 September 2021 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Winds of Wrath by StarSpray
But as Eluréd and Elurín made their way south along the sunny coast of Lindon the heat had settled in, like a heavy blanket over the land that even the sea breezes could not abate. It brought with it scattered rain showers, the occasional rumble of thunder, and an oppressive feeling.e
| Major Characters: Eluréd, Elurín |
| Major Relationships: Eluréd & Elurín |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 303 |
| Posted on 19 September 2021 | Updated on 19 September 2021 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
To Give and Receive by Narya
A prince, his butler, and a pair of unexpected gifts.
A fluffy ficlet written in response to the 'Dear Irmo' challenge at the Silmarillion Writer's Guild.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Caranthir |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Ficlet, General | Challenges: Dear Irmo |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 682 |
| Posted on 19 September 2021 | Updated on 19 September 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Why Steel Points North by Anne Wolfe
Long ago, before any of the elves awoke, there were two great lamps: one silver, named Illuin, and one gold, named Ormal.
The story of how magnets came to be.
| Major Characters: Aulë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 429 |
| Posted on 16 September 2021 | Updated on 16 September 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (14) |
Hidden, Healing, Shaped to Touch by Lferion
During the long, strange years After the Sun, Nerdanel made sculptures. Not statues, not the likenesses she was known for, but abstract pieces intended to be touched as much as seen.
A 5 drabble sequence
| Major Characters: Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: Fëanor/Nerdanel, Faniel & Nerdanel |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Akallabêth in August, Kings & Kink |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 506 |
| Posted on 10 September 2021 | Updated on 15 September 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
| Major Characters: Beren |
| Major Relationships: Beren & Dior |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 802 |
| Posted on 12 September 2021 | Updated on 15 September 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Women of Troy by heget
The story repeats and yet doesn't, over and over with the aftermath of each battle.
Fingon strips Dor-lomin of men for his grand assault on Angband - only the women and children and defenseless are left behind.
| Major Characters: Meril |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 274 |
| Posted on 11 September 2021 | Updated on 11 September 2021 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
| Major Characters: Celeborn, Galadriel |
| Major Relationships: Celeborn/Galadriel |
| Genres: | Challenges: Kings & Kink |
| Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 256 |
| Posted on 10 September 2021 | Updated on 10 September 2021 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Loyalty by Melesta
Írissë and Findekáno have always been close and understand each other well, and not only for the love they share for certain Fëanorian cousins.
How does this sibling love evolve between Aredhel and Fingon in Beleriand? What stands behind some crucial decisions for the White Lady of the Noldor?
A few heart-to-heart conversations between these two valiant Nolofinweans. And then some. Aredhel's POV.
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Fingon |
| Major Relationships: Aredhel & Fingon, Aredhel + Celegorm |
| Genres: Drama, Family | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Violence (Mild) |
| Chapters: 4 | Word Count: 2, 014 |
| Posted on 27 May 2021 | Updated on 9 September 2021 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
