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.
SWG News
We are currently accepting proposals to present your meta, research, and scholarship! Learn more about presenting your meta, research, and scholarship here.
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 Challenge: Potluck Bingo
Sit down to a delicious selection of prompts served on bingo boards, created by the SWG community.
New & Updated Fanworks
[Link Collection] The Fics that Hooked Me: a rec list by Anérea
These are the first fanfics I ever read, and they are all truly fabulous and absolutely timeless and 100% recommended!
[Artwork] Andreth and Aegnor Reunite Beyond the Circles of the World by Anérea
An abstract sketch: After the ending of Arda v1, Andreth and Aegnor feär reunite and they are free to experience the whole of Eä together.
[Audio] {podfic} Two Journeys by Lferion by Anérea
In the First Age, Fingon traveled to Rerir after discovering Turgon's disappearance. In the Fourth Age, he travels to Rerir again in Beleriand Risen.
A tale told in drabbles.
[Audio] {podfic} What Lies Beyond The End by Melesta by Anérea
"The Silmaril falls slowly, so slowly, as if taking its time to caress the weightlessness of Ulmo’s waters. Does it seek relief also, Maglor wonders, to be free at last of all the hands that lusted after its blessed shine?"
Maglor casts his Silmaril into the Sea.
[Audio] {podfic] Lake Helevorn: A Summer Romance by Himring by Anérea
Uncanonical take on Caranthir's canonical wife: in himring!verse she's not an elf.
[Audio] {podfic} Entwined 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 100-word drabbles
[Audio] {podfic} Beyond the Western Shore by StarSpray by Anérea
In her wanderings through Aman, Minyelmë comes to the farthest shore.
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
Bestiary of Arda
Choose a prompt from our "bestiary" of music and images of animals found in Arda. 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
My Slashy Valentine 2025
Sign-ups are open for My Slashy Valentine, a hand-matched slash fiction exchange focused on the people of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth.
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.
wisteria53's Favorites
Favorite Fanworks
The Son Still Shines by cuarthol
Fanwork Information
The War brings Finarfin close to the ruins of Nargothrond where Finrod once ruled.
| Major Characters: Finarfin, Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: Finarfin & Gil-galad |
| Genres: | Challenges: Kings & Queens |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 1 September 2024 | Updated on 1 September 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
And With Him Was Elrond by elfscribe
Fanwork Information
Elrond’s efforts to heal Gil-galad from a vicious attack bring feelings to the surface that can no longer be ignored.
A Gil-galad/Elrond first time fic.
Written for the 2024 My Slashy Valentine.
Prequel to Under the Ragged Thorn.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: Elrond/Gil-galad |
| Genres: Adventure, Drama, Humor, Hurt/Comfort, Romance, Slash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Expletive Language, Sexual Content (Moderate), Violence (Moderate) |
| Posted on 19 February 2024 | Updated on 16 September 2024 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
Laurelindórenan by Anérea
Fanwork Information
Two figures under autumn/winter mallorn trees in the golden wood of Lothlórien.
| Major Characters: Celeborn, Celebrían, Galadriel |
| Major Relationships: Celeborn/Galadriel |
| Artwork Type: Drawing/Painting, Landscape |
| Genres: Family | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 18 December 2022 | Updated on 19 December 2022 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
