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
Another Place in Time
Move beyond the places and times of familiar events to consider what was going on elsewhere in Arda at the same time as a major event covered in The Silmarillion. How--if at all--did the event impact what was transpiring elsewhere at the same time? 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
Who was the High King? by AndyC
Maglor has an unwelcome visitor who insists on asking questions about the High-Kingship of the Noldor.
| Major Characters: Herucalmo, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 5 | Word Count: 4, 227 |
| Posted on 20 April 2020 | Updated on 20 April 2020 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (11) |
Homecoming by Grundy
The ships bearing the Army of the West are returning to Alqualondë. Eärwen's mother is waiting.
| Major Characters: Eärwen, Finarfin, Olwë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Block Party |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 160 |
| Posted on 20 April 2020 | Updated on 20 April 2020 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Under the Birch Leaves by My blue rose
Caranthir is terrible with people in general and women in particular. That does not stop him from trying. A monment in Caranthir and Haleth's courtship. Gift Fic for Grundy for the Block Party challenge.
| Major Characters: Caranthir, Haleth |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Romance | Challenges: Block Party |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 830 |
| Posted on 19 April 2020 | Updated on 19 April 2020 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
And Murder Whiles I Smile by Narya
A moodboard inspired by Starspray's OFC, Lady Tanith, who is Khamûl's mother, and a gardener and poisoner. A gift for the SWG Block Party.
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Block Party |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1 |
| Posted on 19 April 2020 | Updated on 19 April 2020 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
In Bloom by Lilith
Not exactly a remix or even a gap-filler, but, perhaps a prequel of sorts, of Himring's "Lilac," in which Maedhros, still fairly newly returned and living in Fingon's house in Tirion is visited by his nephew. That nephew has a few thoughts on grief, guilt and time wasted.
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Block Party |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 600 |
| Posted on 19 April 2020 | Updated on 19 April 2020 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (8) |
Fëanor's Perfect Milk Rolls by Elwin Fortuna
Fëanor talks through how to make glorious enriched bread. Better than lembas!
| Major Characters: Fëanor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Experimental, Family, General | Challenges: Block Party |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 424 |
| Posted on 19 April 2020 | Updated on 19 April 2020 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (3) |
Moonrise by StarSpray
A group of Vanyar gather on a hilltop outside of Valmar to witness the moon's first rising.
| Major Characters: Elemmírë, Elves, Original Female Character(s), Vanyar |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Block Party |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 652 |
| Posted on 18 April 2020 | Updated on 18 April 2020 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Falling Fire by LadyBrooke
She fell in the darkness of the forest, a poisoned arrow in her shoulder, her youngest daughter clasped in her arms, and Celeborn likely the one to find them.
But she escaped the Dark Rider, and that was close enough to victory.
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Family | Challenges: Block Party |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death, Violence (Moderate) |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 309 |
| Posted on 18 April 2020 | Updated on 18 April 2020 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
The Power of an Oath by AndyC
Maglor reflects on the Oath of Feanor. Elros learns of the power of Fate over the Eldar and the freedom of Men.
| Major Characters: Elros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 159 |
| Posted on 18 April 2020 | Updated on 18 April 2020 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Notation and Improvisation by ArizonaPoppy
Dorthaniel's college professor gives her class a seemingly impossible homework assignment: turn a fragment of strange music from the Second Age into a modern score, and then explain its origins. Well, her guess is as good as anyone's!
| Major Characters: Original Female Character(s), Tar-Ancalimë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe, Fluff, General | Challenges: Notion Club Revival |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 2 | Word Count: 3, 177 |
| Posted on 14 September 2019 | Updated on 17 April 2020 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
An Expected Party: A Tea for 22 September by Lindariel
Appropriate food choices for an ongoing observance of Bilbo's and Frodo's birthday.
| Major Characters: Bilbo Baggins, Frodo |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Nonfiction/Meta | Challenges: Block Party |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 505 |
| Posted on 17 April 2020 | Updated on 17 April 2020 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Silent words by Rhapsody
During the retreat from the Nirnaeth Arnoediad, the two famous elves from Doriath come to a decision.
A tripple drabble for Robinka, my dear and loyal friend for so many years. And just because I can, with love.
| Major Characters: Beleg, Mablung |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: Gift of a Story |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 300 |
| Posted on 17 April 2020 | Updated on 17 April 2020 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Promise you will come back by Calendille
At the Feast of Reuniting, Maedhros tells Fingolfin of Fëanor's end.
| Major Characters: Celegorm, Curufin, Fëanor, Maedhros, Maglor, Sons of Fëanor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 3, 541 |
| Posted on 17 April 2020 | Updated on 17 April 2020 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Comfort Food by StarSpray
March 25th is a difficult day for Frodo, but Bilbo knows how to cheer him up. Glorfindel helps.
| Major Characters: Bilbo Baggins, Frodo, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fluff, General | Challenges: Block Party |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 395 |
| Posted on 17 April 2020 | Updated on 17 April 2020 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
Overture by Lyra
After his exam to become a master smith, young Fëanor has an important announcement to make.
Written from Nerdanel's POV. Will probably be incorporated into "Golden Days" at some point.
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: Soundtrack |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 764 |
| Posted on 14 April 2020 | Updated on 14 April 2020 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Guest Drabble by Lindariel
Posted for a friend, J. Mortimer Tarantula, who wanted to try drabbling, but with dark prompts: charnel, dire, spectre, vain.
| Major Characters: Fingolfin, Melkor |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 100 |
| Posted on 14 April 2020 | Updated on 14 April 2020 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
Starting Over by Himring
We know Celebrimbor canonically worked together with Narvi; whether he ever watched his grandmother's father Mahtan at work, Tolkien does not tell us.
It was my idea that Mahtan and Narvi might have something in common, in his eyes...
| Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Mahtan, Narvi |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fixed-Length Ficlet | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 97 |
| Posted on 13 April 2020 | Updated on 13 April 2020 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Fair Elwing by Lindariel
A singable verse for Elwing.
| Major Characters: Elwing, Eärendil |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 91 |
| Posted on 12 April 2020 | Updated on 12 April 2020 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Lockdown Instadrabbling by Lindariel
From the Discord server sessions on 25 March, 29 March, and 12 April 2020.
| Major Characters: Ancalagon, Caranthir, Celeborn, Elu Thingol, Elwing, Eärendil, Eöl, Fingon, Finrod Felagund, Galadriel, Gamil Zirak, Glorfindel, Idril, Maedhros, Melian, Mîm, Original Character(s), Rog, Thorondor, Tuor, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 21 | Word Count: 2, 097 |
| Posted on 25 March 2020 | Updated on 12 April 2020 |
This fanwork belongs to the series
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (12) |
The Unfinished Mission by Lindariel
Wherein another of Glorfindel's special talents is revealed.
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Elemmakil, Glorfindel, Maeglin, Original Female Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: Soundtrack |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 713 |
| Posted on 10 April 2020 | Updated on 10 April 2020 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
Through a Mirror Darkly by HannaGoldworthy
Year 2510 of the Third Age: Celebrian arrives in Valinor during Sovalle, a new (for her) feast of repentance and reconciliation. And, much to her suprise and discomfort, she's not the only new face hanging around...
| Major Characters: Amrod, Celebrían, Lindo, Mandos, Original Female Character(s), Vairë |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Drama, Fluff, General, Hurt/Comfort | Challenges: Caprice and Chance, Hidden Figures, New Year's Resolution, Season's Greetings, Sirens and Songstresses, Solve a Problem, Start to Finish |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 6 | Word Count: 14, 246 |
| Posted on 1 January 2020 | Updated on 10 April 2020 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (4) |
Light in the Depths by Ellynn
The two Silmarils end up in the sea and land, and change the underworld in ways that astound humanity through the ages – and even today.
| Major Characters: Aulë, Original Character(s), Ulmo |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 892 |
| Posted on 7 April 2020 | Updated on 7 April 2020 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (6) |
The King's Scribe by Narya
Three Hobbits come to Gondor bearing a precious artefact. Their guide is a dark-haired Elf who is more than he seems.
| Major Characters: Findegil, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 2, 099 |
| Posted on 6 April 2020 | Updated on 6 April 2020 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (2) |
Into Darkness Fell His Star by Narya
A bard of Annúminas cannot find the right melody for his song - but help is waiting in the shadows.
Written for Back to Middle-earth Month 2020, Endings and Beginnings.
| Major Characters: Maglor, Original Character(s) |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: B2MeM 2019, B2MeM 2020 |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 333 |
| Posted on 6 April 2020 | Updated on 6 April 2020 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (0) |
The Sun in Spring by Idrils Scribe
"And it was then that Elrond first saw Celebrían, and loved her, though he said nothing of it."
- Unfinished Tales; "The History of Galadriel and Celeborn"
One sunny afternoon in the garden, Elrond finally says something.
| Major Characters: Celebrían, Elrond |
| Major Relationships: No major relationships listed |
| Genres: Fluff, Hurt/Comfort, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Chapters: 1 | Word Count: 1, 496 |
| Posted on 4 April 2020 | Updated on 4 April 2020 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
| Table of Contents and Single Chapters | Show All Chapters | Comments (1) |
