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
Kingly Advice? by Kaylee Arafinwiel
Elros seeks out his great-uncle after receiving surprising news, asking advice from the head of his family.
| Major Characters: Elros, Finarfin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, General | Challenges: Times of Bliss |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 244 |
| Posted on 27 February 2021 | Updated on 27 February 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Women Find a Room of Their Own in Tolkien Fanfiction by oshun
As a genre belonging almost exclusively to women, fanfiction creates a "room of their own," apart from mainstream publishing that is often hostile to women, for women authors to critically and creatively explore ideas in popular texts and, in the style of Tolkien, create new mythologies that appeal to them.
The Tolkienian War on Science by Dr. Joan Bushwell
Biochemist and long-time Tolkien fan, Doc Bushwell argues that the events and ideas expressed in Tolkien's works often demonstrate a strong disdain for science and technology.
The Textual Ghosts Project by Elleth
The Textual Ghosts Project is a list of the women who must have existed by inference, acting on the assumption that all characters (excepting the Ainur and the first-awakened Elves at Cuiviénen) must have had mothers and those with offspring also must have had wives.
Seafaring Heroes and Villains: The Role of the Sea in Tolkien's Legendarium by oshun
Tolkien's seafarers and shipbuilders explore, challenge, define, and reframe his world throughout its fictional history, and Tolkien's use of the sea and sea-longing in particular hearkens to Germanic themes of exile and longing.
Masculinity in Tolkien by Esteliel
Tolkien is often criticized for his simplistic, knight-in-shining-armor heroes. This essay argues that heroism and masculinity in Tolkien's works are not premised on this, but on love and loyalty.
The Stars That Varda Made by Kitt Otter
Varda kindled the stars and set them into patterns. Many of these stars the Professor named in Elvish, but which real-life stars was he referring to?
The Perfect Girl: An Exploration of the Hidden and Dynamic World of Fan Fiction by Nikara
An analysis of the fan fiction phenomenon of "Mary Sue" and readers' reactions to this controversial fanfic archetype.
Name Calling: Group Identity and the Other among First Age Elves by Angelica
As the names used by the early Elves to identify themselves and others evolved according the essay Quendi and Eldar (HoMe 11), relationships between the different cultures are revealed.
How to Review by JunoMagic
This comprehensive essay discusses how to write balanced and effective fiction critiques with a special emphasis on Tolkien fan fiction.
in your very own symphony by kimaracretak
"You should be flattered," Thuringwethil counters, "To know that for you alone I would change my skin."
Aredhel scoffs. "Steal another's skin, more like."
(Be careful what you hunt. Or don't.)
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Thuringwethil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Horror, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 466 |
| Posted on 23 February 2021 | Updated on 23 February 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Exile, Wyrd and the Anglo-Saxon Warrior Ideal in The Wanderer and Tolkien's Quenta Silmarillion by Esteliel
As a professor of Anglo-Saxon, Tolkien's stories are undeniably influenced by the literature of this early people. This essay considers how exile, fate, the warrior ideal, and masculinity in the Quenta Silmarillion were influenced by the Anglo-Saxon poem The Wanderer.
Chronology of the Silmarillion by clotho123
A compilation of Tolkien's various timelines from the First Age and earlier that presents dates for important events from The Silmarillion.
Tyrannosaurus by hennethgalad
Gandalf tells Bilbo Baggins of a time when he was still called Olórin.
Oromë struggles to court Vána.
""As yet no flower had bloomed nor any bird had sung, for these things waited still their time in the bosom of Yavanna; but wealth there was of her imagining, and nowhere more rich than in the midmost parts of the Earth, where the light of both the Lamps met and blended. And there upon the isle of Almaren in the Great Lake was the first dwelling of the Valar when all things were young, and new-made Green was yet a marvel in the eyes of the makers; and they were long content."
| Major Characters: Ainur, Aulë, Bilbo Baggins, Gandalf, Manwë, Oromë, Tilion, Vána, Yavanna |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Times of Bliss |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 777 |
| Posted on 23 February 2021 | Updated on 23 February 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (7) |
Summer's End by oshun
New Chapter: The Wild Hunt (Chapter 9)
For the Noldor, the personal is always political. This story has humor, conflict, scandal, and a crazy mixture of discord and affection, which characterize the Finweans as I write them. This story is set shortly before the founding of Nevrast, before the Mereth Aderthad.
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Fingolfin, Fingon, Idril, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General, Het, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: Gift of a Story |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 9 | Word Count: 28, 084 |
| Posted on 4 September 2013 | Updated on 23 February 2021 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
As Stars From the Earth by StarSpray
"...and there in the forest of Neldoreth Lúthien was born, and the white flowers of niphredil came forth to greet her as stars from the earth.”
| Major Characters: Elu Thingol, Lúthien Tinúviel, Melian, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, Fixed-Length Ficlet, Fluff | Challenges: Times of Bliss |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 292 |
| Posted on 20 February 2021 | Updated on 20 February 2021 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
In the Forest: Night by Lferion
Celegorm, Returned, faces a challenge. A double-drabble.
| Major Characters: Celegorm, Oromë, Vána |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Fixed-Length Ficlet, General | Challenges: New Year's Resolution, Utopia/Dystopia |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 203 |
| Posted on 31 January 2021 | Updated on 6 February 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Eärendil on Taniquetil by Lferion
Eärendil, waiting for the answer of the Valar to his plea. A triple drabble.
| Major Characters: Eärendil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: New Year's Resolution, Postcards from Middle-earth, Soundtrack |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 301 |
| Posted on 31 January 2021 | Updated on 6 February 2021 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Winds of Change by Lferion
Anairë, Nerdanel, and Faniel are visited by Ëonwë's sisters, the Winds of Sunset, Midnight, and Dawn.
Four drabbles.
| Major Characters: Anairë, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Naturalist's Guide to Middle-earth, New Year's Resolution, Postcards from Middle-earth |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 406 |
| Posted on 1 February 2021 | Updated on 6 February 2021 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Mystery of the Vanishing Elf by AdmirableMonster
An essay on the subject of where the hell Beleg Cúthalion gets to in the second half of The Children of Húrin. He may be dead, but why is even his memory conspicuously absent?
| Major Characters: Beleg, Finduilas, Glaurung, Nienor, Túrin |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Nonfiction/Meta | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 575 |
| Posted on 25 January 2021 | Updated on 6 February 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Aurora: Seeking the Northern Sky by Lferion
Fingon, returned, has more questions than answers, and travels north to find what answers he can for himself.
A drabble sequence
| Major Characters: Fingon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Experimental, Fixed-Length Ficlet, General | Challenges: Naturalist's Guide to Middle-earth, New Year's Resolution, Postcards from Middle-earth |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 617 |
| Posted on 10 January 2021 | Updated on 6 February 2021 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
The Color of Hope by Grundy
Things are grim on the Helcaraxë. Fingon and Aredhel get an unexpected surprise.
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Fingon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Postcards from Middle-earth |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 637 |
| Posted on 10 January 2021 | Updated on 6 February 2021 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Midwinter 2020 Image Instadrabbling by Lindariel
From the SWG Discord server sessions on 9 January 2021.
| Major Characters: Beren, Círdan, Galadriel, Lúthien Tinúviel, Melian |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Naturalist's Guide to Middle-earth |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 500 |
| Posted on 11 January 2021 | Updated on 6 February 2021 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
When the sun rises (Naturalists Guide to Middle Earth Challenge) by Tethys Resort
After the Halls, Pilihel looks for home. A story from the rising of the Sun and Moon.
| Major Characters: Nienna, Original Character(s), Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, General | Challenges: Naturalist's Guide to Middle-earth |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 670 |
| Posted on 14 January 2021 | Updated on 6 February 2021 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Sorrow and Joy by Nienna
The tears poured out of Nienna. They rushed through the valley until they collected at the bottom in a now rushing river.
| Major Characters: Nienna, Yavanna |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: B2MeM 2019 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 104 |
| Posted on 6 January 2021 | Updated on 6 February 2021 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
