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
Out Over Open Waters by Himring
The first of the great seafarers of Numenor is inspired by the tales of Elvish mariners of the First Age.
Update: another chapter / drabble added
| Major Characters: Erellont, Vëantur, Voronwë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Naturalist's Guide to Middle-earth |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 199 |
| Posted on 28 September 2020 | Updated on 28 November 2020 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Bëor and the Faërie King by Aerlinn
The humans have their own story of how they met the Faërie King, what they gained and one they lost.
The story of Finrod and Balan later named Bëor, as told by an old woman in a mountain cabin.
| Major Characters: Balan, Bëor, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Adventure, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 023 |
| Posted on 21 November 2020 | Updated on 21 November 2020 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
The Natatorium by Gabriel
All Tyelkormo wanted was time to himself, away from his parents, his brothers and his obligations. But circumstance deemed otherwise.
| Major Characters: Celegorm, Finrod Felagund, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Humor | Challenges: Soap Opera |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 890 |
| Posted on 10 November 2020 | Updated on 10 November 2020 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Trouble in Tirion by lightofthetrees
Maitimo’s heart thudded in his chest with the finality of a falling hammer. We. Had the Valar pronounced this sentence upon all of them, or did Fëanáro assume the unwavering loyalty of his family in accepting his Doom as their own?
The unrest of the Noldor, and the aftermath of the confrontation between Feanor and Fingolfin, told from Maedhros' perspective.
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: Soap Opera |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 559 |
| Posted on 8 November 2020 | Updated on 8 November 2020 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Photosynthesis by Himring
Elrond and Bilbo discuss the importance of light.
| Major Characters: Bilbo Baggins, Elrond |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Soap Opera |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 100 |
| Posted on 7 November 2020 | Updated on 7 November 2020 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
The King Thrall by Gabriel
The meeting of the hosts of the West and of the North is named the Great Battle, and the War of Wrath. There was marshalled the whole power of the Throne of Morgoth, and it had become great beyond count, so that Anfauglith could not contain it; and all the North was aflame with war.
The Silmarillion
J.R.R.Tolkien
| Major Characters: Anairë, Eärwen, Eönwë, Finarfin, Fingolfin, Gil-galad, Maiar |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 298 |
| Posted on 6 November 2020 | Updated on 6 November 2020 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Shining Black by SkyEventide
The forest of Nan Elmoth is warded by magic and, apparently, inhabited. Celegorm and Curufin head into the woods, discovering who exactly lives in it. A "dark elf", who is a blacksmith. And is friends of the dwarves, and speaks Khuzdul. Curufin camps outside of the forest, to check that trade with the dwarves isn't disrupted by the encounter -- and to see if perhaps he could learn more about the enchantments that protect this land, and about its dweller.
| Major Characters: Celegorm, Curufin, Eöl, Telchar |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 7, 851 |
| Posted on 4 November 2020 | Updated on 4 November 2020 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
In Arien's Light by Lferion
At the midsummer festival, is it necessary that one be shirtless?
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet, Romance | Challenges: Soap Opera |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 200 |
| Posted on 1 November 2020 | Updated on 1 November 2020 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Wisp'light Through the Trees by heget
A young boy is lost during the long hunt of the Eglath for their missing king.
| Major Characters: Dwarves, Eöl, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General, Horror, Suspense | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 1, 882 |
| Posted on 31 October 2020 | Updated on 31 October 2020 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Finding Irmo. by hennethgalad
Galadriel has a vision in the Gardens of Lórien.
for namotober2020
| Major Characters: Galadriel, Gandalf, Lórien |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 849 |
| Posted on 31 October 2020 | Updated on 31 October 2020 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Meditation on Leadership by heget
Two High Kings and the calm acceptance of guilt, grace, and pressures of decision-making, leadership, and family.
| Major Characters: Fingolfin, Ingwë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 557 |
| Posted on 25 October 2020 | Updated on 25 October 2020 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Regencies of Child Kings by heget
Gil-galad's earliest memories are shadowed by the dynastic intrigue of kings and princesses. He was supposed to be a child of the Long Peace.
| Major Characters: Círdan, Fingolfin, Fingon, Gil-galad, Lalwen, Meril |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 409 |
| Posted on 25 October 2020 | Updated on 25 October 2020 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Young Bucks of Cuiviénen by heget
Side Stories from Of Ingwë Ingwerion - anything that did not fit into the main tale but worked as supplemential material. More world-building and character studies or a switch in point of view or timeline. Most are set during the period between the Awakening of the Elves and the Great Journey.
| Major Characters: Elu Thingol, Finwë, Imin, Iminyë, Indis, Ingwë, Lalwen, Original Character(s), Rúmil (Valinor) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, General, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 8 | Word Count: 4, 977 |
| Posted on 4 November 2015 | Updated on 24 October 2020 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Shadows of Old Heroes by bunn
In dark Ossiriand, in one of the undocumented early minor confrontations during the War of Wrath, Maedhros, Maglor and Elrond confront an unexpected enemy. The story is seen from the point of view of Fëanor's unhoused spirit.
This is an excerpt from my longer story Quenta Narquelion that I have put here so I can use it for a SWG discord fanfic book club event.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Fëanor, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Horror | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 5, 168 |
| Posted on 24 October 2020 | Updated on 24 October 2020 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Meet the Eye of the Morai by heget
A scene before the start of Service to the Dead. Aegnor shares works with another ghost in Mandos.
| Major Characters: Aegnor, Míriel Serindë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 558 |
| Posted on 23 October 2020 | Updated on 23 October 2020 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Xenia and Philia by heget
The Teleri and the Vanyar during the Darkening of Valinor.
How healing begins.
| Major Characters: Teleri, Vanyar |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 329 |
| Posted on 23 October 2020 | Updated on 23 October 2020 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
"She walks in beauty, like the night" by heget
Melian's first steps in her new life.
| Major Characters: Elu Thingol, Melian |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 322 |
| Posted on 23 October 2020 | Updated on 23 October 2020 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Of procedure and penetration by Fadesintothewest
Noldorin finishing school is boring, but at least Findekáno has Nelyafinwë as his instructor. Inspired by the soap opera prompts: Stock Characters: The Virgin; Plot Tropes: Amnesia; Typical Setting: School/University; Special Episode: Hallowe'en
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros, Maglor, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fluff, General, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: Soap Opera |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Expletive Language, Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 571 |
| Posted on 22 October 2020 | Updated on 22 October 2020 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Nothing but time by Aerlinn
Eternity takes a long time.
('However long the History of the Elves might become before it ended, it would be an object of too limited range. To be perpetually 'imprisoned in a tale' (as they said), even if it was a very great tale ending triumphantly, would become a torment.')
| Major Characters: Aegnor, Andreth |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, General, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 2, 635 |
| Posted on 27 September 2020 | Updated on 21 October 2020 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
The gifted one by Harnatano - Lithenna
I received a prompt on Tumblr : How would Curufin show his love to someone... in this case, to his father.
| Major Characters: Curufin, Fëanor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 748 |
| Posted on 20 October 2020 | Updated on 20 October 2020 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Broken promises by firstamazon
In Nargothrond, Celegorm thinks about Finrod.
| Major Characters: Celegorm, Curufin, Finrod Felagund |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Family, General | Challenges: Soap Opera |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 332 |
| Posted on 19 October 2020 | Updated on 19 October 2020 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Forbidden by Narya
A musty old text in their grandfather's library sparks a moment of rebellion for Turukáno and Curufinwë.
| Major Characters: Curufin, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Slash/Femslash | Challenges: Soap Opera |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 413 |
| Posted on 17 October 2020 | Updated on 17 October 2020 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
To Build The Bonds That Tie by ThatFeanorian
A modern AU centering around the house of finwë: who they are how they grow, and in the end, how they love. Mostly Russingon centric, but definitely involving other characters pretty liberally, especially the other feanorians.
| Major Characters: Aegnor, Amarië, Amras, Amrod, Angrod, Aredhel, Argon, Caranthir, Celeborn, Celebrimbor, Celegorm, Curufin, Daeron, Dior, Eluréd, Elurín, Elves, Eärwen, Fëanor, Finarfin, Findis, Fingolfin, Fingon, Finrod Felagund, Finwë, Galadriel, Gil-galad, Glorfindel, Huan, Idril, Indis, Maedhros, Maeglin, Maglor, Mahtan, Nerdanel, Noldor, Orodreth, Sons of Fëanor, Teleri, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Family, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Suicide, Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 10 | Word Count: 23, 049 |
| Posted on 12 October 2020 | Updated on 12 October 2020 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
The Watchers. by hennethgalad
Nerdanel shares a vision with the wife of Curufin and they travel to the Halls of Nienna with questions.
for finweanladiesweek and Namotober(lite)
| Major Characters: Curufin, Nerdanel, Nienna |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 930 |
| Posted on 11 October 2020 | Updated on 11 October 2020 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Chewing The Fat by Grundy
During a lesson, Elrond is puzzled by the name of an animal.
| Major Characters: Dwarves, Elrond, Elros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Naturalist's Guide to Middle-earth |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 805 |
| Posted on 10 October 2020 | Updated on 10 October 2020 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (5) |
