A character appearing only in The Book of Lost Tales, Gilfanon nonetheless survives later in the legendarium in the character of Pengolodh.

An investigation of the meaning of some of Tolkien's more elusive Elvish names.

Why the "sound taste" of a name is often more important than the meaning when naming original characters.

What do all those accents and symbols in Tolkien's languages mean? This column explains what they mean and how to pronounce them.

Deciding what constitutes canon for the purpose of making fanworks relies partly on the words of the texts but also on the geographical and temporal vastness and diversity of Tolkien's world.

So you need an Elvish name for your OC? This article gives tips and strategies for coming up with believable names that sound good.

A rundown of the holidays we know existed in the First Age, as well as tips on how to design your own holiday.

Not every Elf was a prince or a smith. The word lists give insight into some of the more unglamorous professions available to everyday Elves.

The clans of the Elves are almost always named in Quenya, and this month's column demystifies how various Elven people would have referred to themselves in their own languages.

So you're working on a fanfiction ... what Elvish language should you use for names and snippets of dialogue? Here is a handy guide to choosing between Quenya and Sindarin.

The early word lists provide many refutes to the most common claims of "Elves would never ..." Here are four of the most salient.

This column uses old word lists to tackle two questions: Did the Elvish languages provide specific terms for relatives, or is everyone just kinsman? And what are the words for various items of clothing?

Some of Tolkien's earliest word lists include terms for words that provide sometimes surprising insights into the habits and cultures of the Elves.

Tolkien's early Elvish word lists reveal details about what Elves ate.

The armies of the Last Alliance gather in Rivendell to prepare for their assault on Mordor. Elrond worries, Oropher weasels, and nothing goes according to plan.

Chapter 1: Gil-galad and Elrond enlist the help of Erestor to out-weasel Oropher, who, despite having only arrived in Rivendell a few hours earlier, has already overstayed his welcome.

At the end of the First Age, religious feuds and civil unrest threaten Valmar and Tirion.  A 'What-If' AU.

New in Chapter 20: Sidaizon sets out to begin his new duties as Oraistar of Oichimyaiva, and learns some disturbing news from Vedezir.

The Lost Tales of Gondolin, which by all rights should have remained Lost.

"Now they begin their new lives."

A rigid society on a distant planet imprisons free thinkers.  A vast ship transports prisoners across the galaxy to their new home colony.

In Valinor near the turn of the First Age, a young boy is tormented by a Maia of Makar.

Written for ALEC October 2010.

A collection of stupid stories, most of which make little sense, bunged up here together because they're too small to be out on their own.  Set in my dubious fiction-verse.  Sexual content implied in some.