Bingo Cards Wanted for Potluck Bingo
Our November-December challenge will be Potluck Bingo, featuring cards created by you! If you'd like to create cards or prompts for cards, we are taking submissions.
SWG News
Tolkien Meta Week, December 8-14
We will be hosting a Tolkien Meta Week in December, here on the archive and on our Tumblr, for nonfiction fanworks about Tolkien.
New Challenge: Orctober
Orcs on a quest for freedom seek a place sheltered and safe from the Dark Lord. Fulfill prompts to gather the clues needed to bring them to freedom.
Mereth Aderthad 2025: Call for Presenters for Meta, Research, and Scholarship Open
We welcome proposals from creators of meta, research, and scholarship about Tolkien for our July 2025 hybrid Mereth Aderthad event!
New & Updated Fanworks
[Writing] know that all my love will be your breath by Zdenka
Rían falls unconscious at the Mound of the Slain and hears Huor's voice telling her to live.
[Writing] Shadow's Instadrabbles by daughterofshadows
The home of my insta-drabbling pieces!
(and the odd drabble of undetermined origin)
[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…
[Artwork] Annatar in Mandos by AdmirableMonster
Annatar in Mandos, as described by Fingon in Chthonion's masterful Harrowing series
[Writing] Freed by daughterofshadows
Fingon rescued Maedhros from Thangorodrim. In the dungeons of Angband, a flicker of hope is lit. If they can escape, perhaps so can others. If nothing else, they must try.
[Writing] All Hues and Honeys by Dawn Felagund
This is my latest collection of pieces too small to stand alone, often written for events on the SWG Discord.
The Latest:
"The First Orc." An Elven scout dreams of captivity.
[Artwork] Laughter and Mourning by silmalope
Laughter and Mourning, the daughters of Húrin. An illustration for the 2024 Orctober challenge prompt “eyes”.
Current Challenge
Potluck Bingo
As the year draws to a close, we gather with friends and share memories and gifts and, of course, a good meal. And there’s nothing like a potluck to make sure there’s something for everyone! For our last challenge of 2024, we’re offering Potluck Bingo. We hope to have a smorgasbord of bingo cards made by you prompting a delectable spread of fanworks, with something to suit all tastes. (The mods will contribute a few boards to get things started. But as with any potluck, the more, the merrier!) Read more ...
Random Challenge
Solve a Problem
Create a fanwork that solves a canon problem using your own favorite (or most frustrating!) canon problem to solve or by choosing one of the member-submitted canon problems. Read more ...
New in References
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.
Death, Grief, and the Other in the "Quenta Silmarillion" by Dawn Walls-Thumma
The narrator of the Quenta Silmarillion uses death, grief, and mourning rituals to generate sympathy for or dehumanize groups of characters considered the Other.
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
[Writing] Partners in Craft by elennalore
Annatar realises that he might like Celebrimbor too much.
[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.
Around the World and Web
Teitho November/December Contest: Healing
The theme for Teitho's November/December contest is healing.
Lord of the Rings Secret Santa 2024
LotR SESA has been ongoing for twenty-one years and is running again this year as a prompt meme hosted on AO3 for all genres of Tolkien-based fanfiction.
Barduil Holiday Exchange 2024
This gift exchange is open to all sorts of fanworks in the Barduil pairing.
Kiliel Week 2024
Kiliel Week is a Tumblr event for fanworks about the Kili/Tauriel pairing.
November challenge at tolkienshortfanworks
The challenge for November has been posted to the tolkienshortfanworks community on Dreamwidth. Thematic prompt: refuge. Formal challenge: include imitation of a sound. As always, these can be filled independently and also freely combined with SWG and other challenges. New participants welcome!
Platinum Firebird's Favorites
Favorite Fanworks
A Day in the Life of a Retired Kinslayer by Lipstick
Fanwork Information
This happened shortly after the move to the coast...
| Major Characters: Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: Alternate Universe | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Graphic) |
| Posted on 5 August 2011 | Updated on 5 August 2011 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
A Little More Conversation by Keiliss
Fanwork Information
A story told through letters of the friendship that grows between Glorfindel, sent to take charge of the newly-discovered valley of Imladris, and Erestor, an assistant to one of Gil-galad’s military advisors.
MEFA 2009 Races: Elves: Featuring Glorfindel or Erestor: First Place
| Major Characters: Erestor, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: Adventure, Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 5 May 2009 | Updated on 23 June 2009 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
Another Future by Keiliss
Fanwork Information
A chance encounter at a ball leaves Glorfindel with a deeper understanding of himself and the world he lives in.
| Major Characters: Ecthelion of the Fountain, Erestor, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: Drama, Romance | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 4 June 2013 | Updated on 4 June 2013 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
Brothers by Keiliss
Fanwork Information
Near the end of the First Age, Maglor faces a decision that will change the future of the world.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 18 March 2014 | Updated on 18 March 2014 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
Hidden Within by Keiliss
Fanwork Information
Past meets present; two elves and a sword, words of power sung under starlight.
MEFA 2009: Genres: Character Study: Friendship, First Place
| Major Characters: Erestor, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 23 January 2010 | Updated on 23 January 2010 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
Life After by Keiliss
Fanwork Information
Life after rebirth: Once around the sun, Glorfindel's first year in Imladris.
MEFA 2011: First Place: Character study, General
my thanks to Elfscribe
| Major Characters: Elrond, Erestor, Gildor, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Posted on 29 May 2011 | Updated on 29 May 2011 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
Love Over Gold by Keiliss
Fanwork Information
Glorfindel meets a strange being beside the sea at Mithlond and is amazed months later when Erestor makes his way to Imladris to find him. But for everything, there is a price.
| Major Characters: Celebrían, Elrond, Erestor, Glorfindel, Ossë, Uinen, Ulmo |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: Drama, Mystery, Romance | Challenges: With a Bit of Fairy Dust |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Posted on 8 September 2016 | Updated on 12 October 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
Season of Hope by Keiliss
Fanwork Information
Midwinter in Sirion, a young king and a traumatized child: Gil-galad offers Elwing a new way of looking at Yule.
MEFA 2011: Second Place: Character study, House of Finwe
| Major Characters: Elwing, Gil-galad |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 10 January 2012 | Updated on 10 January 2012 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
Something Back by Keiliss
Fanwork Information
Because life is full of unlikely surprises, Market day on the island of Balar brings a few unexpected guests.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Elros, Erestor, Gil-galad, Gildor |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 9 July 2015 | Updated on 9 July 2015 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
The Talisman by Keiliss
Fanwork Information
Gil-galad rides to Forlond on an important errand which may not turn out quite as he, Elrond or Erestor expect.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Erestor, Gil-galad, Glorfindel |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: Humor, Mystery | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 18 March 2014 | Updated on 18 March 2014 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
The Tapestry by Keiliss
Fanwork Information
Yule on Balar in F.A. 515, or how a little Noldor pragmatism changed the fate of the world.
| Major Characters: Elwing, Galadriel, Gil-galad, Idril |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 12 March 2013 | Updated on 12 March 2013 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
