So You Want to Present at a Tolkien Conference? Writing the Proposal
With Mereth Aderthad coming next year, we offer this session to support fans who want to present their meta/scholarship at Mereth Aderthad or any one of the many other Tolkien conferences.
SWG News
We are currently accepting proposals to present your meta, research, and scholarship! Learn more about presenting your meta, research, and scholarship here.
Tolkien Meta Week Starts December 8!
Join us December 8-14, here and on Tumblr, as we share our thoughts, musings, rants, and headcanons about all aspects of Tolkien's world.
Artists Needed to Create 2025 Challenge Stamps
We are soliciting help from artists who want to help create the stamps we award to challenge participants.
Tolkien Fanartics: Mapping Arda - The Second Age
In the third part of the Mapping Arda series, Anérea and Varda delle Stelle present a selection of fan-created maps of the lands of the Second Age.
New & Updated Fanworks
[Writing] Resilience by Independence1776
A Jewish Maglor escapes with twins.
Two double drabbles, set several decades apart.
[Writing] Silhouettes of Doom by Ecthelion
"At least we have learned that the sons of Fëanor can die too." Nine POVs, one matter - a story about the kinslaying in Doriath.
[Writing] Through Shadow, to Morning by Idrils Scribe
What went on in Rivendell after Elrond rushed off on his mission to save Elrohir?
Celebrían and Elladan each have their own way of dealing with the fearful wait. Erestor does what he can to help.
This story takes place during the events of 'Northern Stars'.
A Christmas gift for my…
[Artwork] The Door of Night by wroniec
Art for Potluck Bingo. B1 -' gloomy hush of night' from the board by Himring
[Writing] One Flesh, One Soul. Part II by FellFireFan
The fates of the lovers have been sealed. After Aegnor makes a promise to Andreth he seeks council one last time from Finrod to reveal the identity of the maiden who had stolen his heart and hopes Finrod will share in his newfound happiness. However, it does not go well between the brothers, and…
[Writing] Stream of Clashing Ice by Himring
Maglor and his companion almost drown in the River Lune.
[Writing] Kiss the ground / then turn from it by Elleth
After the attack on the Havens of Sirion, a figure from Maedhros' past comes face-to-face with him one last time.
Current Challenge
Festival of Lights Fest
This is a fun and low-key event meant to encourage works about or inspired by Hanukkah, running this year in conjunction with the Potluck Bingo challenge. Read more ...
Potluck Bingo
Help yourself to a collection of prompts on bingo boards designed by members and friends of the SWG. Read more ...
Random Challenge
Breaking Boundaries
Create a fanwork that shows a meeting between characters of two or more cultures. Read more ...
New in References
Libraries at the Edge of Middle-earth: Fanworks, Archives, and Communities as Heritage by Dawn Walls-Thumma
Tolkien fanfiction archives both preserve the "libraries of Middle-earth" in the form of keeping Tolkien's original words alive and promote conversations around heritage as community and fan identity that keeps those central texts relevant to diverse fans in a rapidly changing world.
Doom and Ascent: The Argument of ‘Beowulf: the Monsters and the Critics’ by Simon J. Cook
Simon reads 'Beowulf: the Monsters and the Critics' to conclude his account of the Anglo-Saxon tower of its allegory.
Why People Don't Comment: Data and History From the Tolkienfic Fandom by Dawn Walls-Thumma
A reworking of the 2018 article for Long Live Feedback that includes data from the 2020 Tolkien Fanfiction Survey, pointing to a lack of comments as related to skill, confidence, and community connection.
Featured Themed Collection
Part of our Themed Collection series for our newsletter, this collection features fiction, artwork, and essays that transcend the idea of Orcs as the enemy, instead considering their humanity.
Alliterative Verse for Arda by Rhunedhel
Part of our Themed Collection series for our newsletter, this collection features alliterative poems about Middle-earth.
Beyond the Silmarillion
[Multimedia] Entwined {text + podfic} by Anérea
First Age 116: in the foothills of the Orocani Mountains, west of Hildórien and far, far east of Beleriand.
Woman meets Maia in four perfect drabbles.
[Writing] Homage to the Song of Durin by Flora-lass
Legolas is inspired by Gimli's song - and by Gimli himself.
[Writing] Partners in Craft by elennalore
Annatar realises that he might like Celebrimbor too much.
Around the World and Web
Thorin's Spring Forge 2025
Sign-ups are open for Thorin's Spring Forge, a minibang-style event where writers and artists come together to create fanworks centred on Thorin Oakenshield.
Tolkien Pinup Calendar: Dead Dove December
Tolkien Pinup Calendar is hosting a December event for non-con smut fanworks.
Tolkien Pinup Calendar: 8 Nights of Smut
Tolkien Pinup Calendar and Hanukkah Bingo are teaming up for eight nights of naughty prompts.
Festival of Lights Fest 2024
This is a fun and low-key event meant to encourage works about or inspired by Hanukkah, running this year in conjunction with the Potluck Bingo challenge.
Fluffcember 2024
Fluffcember is a Tumblr event with daily fluffy prompts during the month of December.
Festival of Lights Fest
Happy Hanukkah! The Festival of Lights Fest mods are pleased to announce the fest's return this year as an SWG event.
This is a fun and low-key event meant to encourage works about or inspired by Hanukkah. Fanworks might directly depict Hanukkah (e.g., a modern AU with Jewish characters), might relate to Hanukkah (such as an in-universe celebration similar to Hanukkah), or might just be inspired by our Hanukkah prompts.
In conjunction with the Potluck Bingo Challenge, we offer participants two Hanukkah-themed Bingo boards. (The boards have similar, but somewhat different, content, and the content is in different orders on the two boards.) Play one, play both; go for a bingo, or just go with what inspires you! Notes that both Potluck Bingo and the Festival of Lights Fest are listed as SWG challenges this year on the archive.
This challenge opened in .
Prompts
Choose your prompt from the collection below.
- View Prompts
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Hanukkah (1)
Board by Independence1776 and janeways
Hanukkah (1) prompts:B1 - Unexpected Victory
B2 - Miracles
B3 - From Generation to Generation
B4 - Days of Old
B5 - Legendary HeroesI1 - Fried Foods
I2 - Oil
I3 - Candles or Lamps
I4 - Jelly Donuts
I5 - FlameN1 - Resilience
N2 - Strength
N3 - Freedom
N4 - Light
N5 - HolinessG1 - Gambling Games
G2 - Gold Coins
G3 - The Number 8
G4 - Spinning Tops
G5 - Hidden MessagesO1 - Minority Cultures
O2 - Different Peoples, One Nation
O3 - Faith
O4 - Cultural Pride
O5 - RebuildingHanukkah (2)
Board by Independence1776 and janeways
Hanukkah (2) prompts:B1 - Miracles
B2 - Unexpected Victory
B3 - Flame
B4 - Days of Old
B5 - Learning in SecretI1 - Fried Foods
I2 - Strength
I3 - Gold Coins
I4 - Legendary Heroes
I5 - Candles or LampsN1 - Gambling Games
N2 - Resilience
N3 - Freedom
N4 - Cultural Pride
N5 - PraiseG1 - Oil
G2 - Different Peoples, One Nation
G3 - The Number 8
G4 - Rededication
G5 - Spinning TopsO1 - Jelly Donuts
O2 - Minority Cultures
O3 - From Generation to Generation
O4 - Light
O5 - In those days & at this time
Fanworks Tagged with Festival of Lights Fest
Resilience by Independence1776
A Jewish Maglor escapes with twins.
Two double drabbles, set several decades apart.
