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
Arda Underground
Take the dark back streets of one of Arda's cities, explore an unsigned tavern or hovel, and meet the people too insignificant or unsavory to make it into the history books. 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
The Doom of Men by Erurainon
A song about a man passing through to the other side.
| Major Characters: Men |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Podfic | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings |
| Posted on 1 July 2013 | Updated on 7 March 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
| Major Characters: Glirhuin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Podfic | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 1 July 2013 | Updated on 7 March 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Death Is Mine by Erurainon
A noldo laments loss facing the grinding ice
| Major Characters: Noldor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Podfic | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 1 July 2013 | Updated on 7 March 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
By the Shores of Nevrast by Erurainon
A brief lay of the grief of Arda and the shadow of Morgoth upon a traveler on a lonesome quest which ends in darkness
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Podfic | Challenges: Season of Change |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Posted on 7 March 2021 | Updated on 7 March 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
A Binding Shadow by Erurainon, Dawn Felagund
Of the shadow of Maeglin
| Major Characters: Maeglin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Podfic | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 7 March 2021 | Updated on 7 March 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Glimpses of a Life in Ennore by Lferion
Maentâl Sílorion appeared in chapter 7 of Pages from the Archives of Cîr Imladris. He insisted on having more of his story told. Each chapter is intended to be able to stand alone.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Experimental, Fixed-Length Ficlet, General | Challenges: Naturalist's Guide to Middle-earth, New Year's Resolution, Times of Bliss, Utopia/Dystopia |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 726 |
| Posted on 9 February 2021 | Updated on 7 March 2021 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Scout of the Third House by Himring
In the days of Fingolfin and Malach Aradan, an unnamed scout of the Third House of the Edain (later called the House of Hador) returns from a long journey in the North to Hithlum.
| Major Characters: Edain, Men |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Poetry | Challenges: Times of Bliss |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 109 |
| Posted on 6 March 2021 | Updated on 6 March 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
At the Root of the Tree of Tales: Using Comparative Myth and "On Fairy-Stories" to Analyze Tolkien's Cosmogony by Dawn Felagund
This paper, presented at the Mythmoot II conference in Baltimore on 15 December 2013, looks at J.R.R. Tolkien's creation story, the "Ainulindale," in comparison to other world creation myths. The paper touches on similarities between Tolkien's story and other myths and the reasons for those connections but emphasizes how the differences--particularly the use of subcreation and creation through music--emphasize themes of integral importance to Tolkien's fictional world and life as an author.
| Major Characters: Eru Ilúvatar |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Presentation | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 28 November 2020 | Updated on 6 March 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
Paper by Dawn Felagund
Curufin escapes to the realms of fantasy to escape the pressures of his family and discovers the thrill of first love.
| Major Characters: Unnamed Canon Character(s), Curufin |
| Major Relationships: Curufin/Unnamed Canon Character |
| Genres: Podfic | Challenges: Family Matters, Gift of a Story |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild) |
| Posted on 6 March 2021 | Updated on 6 March 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| View Fanwork | Comments (0) |
A Septad of Silvestris Variables by Lferion
Fingon and inexplicable kittens
| Major Characters: Fingon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Humor | Challenges: B2MeM 2020 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 691 |
| Posted on 21 March 2020 | Updated on 4 March 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
The Eagle. by hennethgalad
Olwë witnesses Estë soothing an injured eagle.
back to middle earth month 2021
day 2: Valar.
| Major Characters: Estë, Gandalf, Manwë, Olwë, Radagast |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 195 |
| Posted on 2 March 2021 | Updated on 2 March 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Aurora: What Cold, Clear Air May Show by Lferion
Having traveled North and up a mountain in Aman, Fingon builds himself a house, and works on putting himself back together. A drabble sequence. Follows Aurora: Seeking the Northern Sky.
| Major Characters: Anairë, Fingon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Crackfic, Drama, Experimental, Fixed-Length Ficlet, Poetry | Challenges: Archetypes, Block Party, Crackuary, Naturalist's Guide to Middle-earth, New Year's Resolution, Postcards from Middle-earth, Soundtrack, True Leader |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 473 |
| Posted on 13 February 2021 | Updated on 2 March 2021 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
A Return is Heralded by Lferion
Eönwë makes an announcement. Four drabbles.
| Major Characters: Anairë, Eönwë, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: New Year's Resolution, Soap Opera |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 404 |
| Posted on 14 February 2021 | Updated on 2 March 2021 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Intimate Adventures in Arda and Aman by Lferion
Ficlets of an intimate nature set in various places and times, generally with minimal angst.
| Major Characters: Original Character(s), Original Male Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, Fluff | Challenges: Crackuary, New Year's Resolution |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 200 |
| Posted on 6 February 2021 | Updated on 2 March 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Reflection, Refraction, Release by Lferion
A view from two sides of a mirror, and what happens when those trapped are freed.
A Drabble sequence: 1,2,2,1.
| Major Characters: Galadriel, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Experimental, Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Crackuary, New Year's Resolution, True Leader, Utopia/Dystopia |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 603 |
| Posted on 6 February 2021 | Updated on 2 March 2021 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Adventures in Arda and Aman by Lferion
Ficlets of Valinor, Beleriand, Ennor, and Middle Earth through the Ages.
| Major Characters: Lindir, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Crackfic, Experimental, Fixed-Length Ficlet, General | Challenges: Crackuary, Laws and Customs, Naturalist's Guide to Middle-earth, New Year's Resolution, Postcards from Middle-earth, Soundtrack |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 3 | Word Count: 400 |
| Posted on 7 February 2021 | Updated on 2 March 2021 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Drabble Poems by Lferion
Poems that are drabbles, drabbles that are poems.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Elwing, Eärendil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, Poetry | Challenges: Naturalist's Guide to Middle-earth, New Year's Resolution, Postcards from Middle-earth, Soundtrack, True Leader |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 502 |
| Posted on 5 February 2021 | Updated on 2 March 2021 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Superheroes by Lferion
Fulfilling a promise, Fingon and Celegorm discover they are remembered as Superheroes by the circus children.
A King Fingon's Menagerie quintuple drabble/ficlet.
| Major Characters: Celegorm, Fingon, Huan |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Crackfic, Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Crackuary, Laws and Customs, New Year's Resolution |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 504 |
| Posted on 6 February 2021 | Updated on 2 March 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Plato in Númenor by Angelica
History of the Atlantis myth that inspired Tolkien's Númenor.
"I Desired Dragons" by Angelica
History of dragons in world myth.
Beowulf in Beleriand by Angelica
Basic historical background on the Anglo-Saxon people that Tolkien studied.
Graven on Stone. by hennethgalad
Daeron devises the Cirth.
for back to middle earth month 2021
day 1: Music.
| Major Characters: Daeron, Elu Thingol, Melian |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 164 |
| Posted on 1 March 2021 | Updated on 1 March 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Samwise Gardner's Birthday by Lindariel
A two-part series about holidays celebrated on April 6, these articles discuss canonical foods that might have been used to celebrate Sam's birthday, investigates their history, and offers recipes to try at home.
Nost-na-Lothion by Lindariel
The first edition of our new column explores the Gondolindrim Festival of Flowers, its connections to the Beltane festival, and the foodways of Gondolin and possible recipes for this celebration.
B2MEM 2021 Daily Prompt Fills by Kaylee Arafinwiel
Written for the B2MEM 2021 Daily Prompts. I have no idea where this is going, if it will be a cohesive story once it kicks off or it will be a random thing a day...will adjust as necessary, when necessary.
| Major Characters: Belegund, Galadriel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 635 |
| Posted on 1 March 2021 | Updated on 1 March 2021 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
