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.
SWG News
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.
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.
New & Updated Fanworks
[Writing] Collection of Potluck Drabbles by Artano
This is a collection of true drabbles completed for the 'Four Words' drabble bingo card.
[Writing] After the Festival by Himring
At Ivrin, during the aftermath of the Mereth Aderthad.
A brief vignette.
[Artwork] Long-tressed Wingildi by Anérea
"... the long-tressed Wingildi ... spirits of the foam and the surf of ocean."
~ a painted sketch for Scribbles and Drabbles 2024.
[Writing] Seeking Sunlight by StarSpray
It was winter, and the sunlight that came into the caves was cold and pale, but Rían still sought it out, bundled up in all of the furs and blankets that they could give her.
[Writing] Primordial Daydream by Anérea
The Queen of Faery takes a little light trip down memory lane.
[Writing] Silence Under Starlight by StarSpray
In Valmar, after the Darkening and the Flight of the Noldor, Indis receives a visitor.
[Writing] Where Memory Walks by StarSpray
Neldoreth was both like and unlike the forests of Dior’s childhood and youth.
Current Challenge
Tolkien Meta Week
Tolkien Meta Week is a week-long event to encourage fans to create nonfiction works related to Tolkien's world. Tolkien Meta Week will run from December 8-14, 2024 on Tumblr and here on the Silmarillion Writers' Guild archive. Read more ...
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
Experimental
Tolkien was an experimental writer, pushing the boundaries of literary and artistic convention. This month, we invite you to experiment with a new technique or approach to your fanworks. We’ve listed some prompts you can select from, but you’re also free to develop your own. Read more ...
New in References
Mapping Arda, Part III: The Second Age by Anérea, Varda delle Stelle
A series of articles featuring fan-made maps of all the lands of Arda. Part III explores the island of Númenor and mainland Middle-earth during the Second Age.
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
[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.
[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.
Around the World and Web
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.
Hidden Paths 2025
Hidden Paths, an event dedicated to the celebration of smaller Tolkien canons, has released their early prompts for the 2025 event.
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.
Lotrfan's Favorites
Favorite Fanworks
Another Man's Cage by Dawn Felagund
Fanwork Information
In the Time of the Trees, during the Bliss of Valinor, the young family of Fëanor experience the everyday triumphs and tragedies of life in paradise. But as Fëanor's genius blossoms and his sons grow into their roles in Tirion society, tensions build that will sunder the House of Finwë and drive the House of Fëanor to open rebellion.
Completed!
| Major Characters: Anairë, Caranthir, Celegorm, Eärwen, Fëanor, Finarfin, Fingolfin, Fingon, Finwë, Indis, Maedhros, Maglor, Nerdanel, Original Character(s), Valar |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: Drama, General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Torture, Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Moderate), Violence (Moderate) |
| Posted on 25 September 2011 | Updated on 10 March 2013 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
In The Interest of Historical Accuracy by Duilwen
Fanwork Information
In Eregion in the mid-Second Age, an ambitious young scholar sets out to understand the last remaining followers of the House of Fëanor.
| Major Characters: No major characters listed |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: Character Death |
| Posted on 14 March 2013 | Updated on 2 July 2013 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
Maitimo and Findekáno by oshun
Fanwork Information
Story of young Fingon’s love for Maedhros and its reciprocation. Set in Tirion before the creation of the Simarils. (Slash.)
MEFA 2007, Second Place: Romance: Second Age or Earlier
| Major Characters: Celegorm, Curufin, Fëanor, Fingolfin, Fingon, Maedhros, Maglor, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: Drama, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Posted on 23 May 2007 | Updated on 29 August 2012 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
Memories Of Findekáno by ford_of_bruinen
Fanwork Information
Nirnaeth Arnoediad is over and Maedhros is looking back and remembering his beloved cousin Fingon.
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros, Maglor, Turgon |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: Drama, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Incest, Character Death, Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Posted on 22 May 2007 | Updated on 22 May 2007 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
Summer's End by oshun
Fanwork Information
New Chapter: The Wild Hunt (Chapter 9)
For the Noldor, the personal is always political. This story has humor, conflict, scandal, and a crazy mixture of discord and affection, which characterize the Finweans as I write them. This story is set shortly before the founding of Nevrast, before the Mereth Aderthad.
| Major Characters: Aredhel, Fingolfin, Fingon, Idril, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: Drama, General, Het, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: Gift of a Story |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes |
| Posted on 4 September 2013 | Updated on 23 February 2021 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
The Cold Hill of Himring by Ithilwen
Fanwork Information
Maedhros is disturbed by a visit with his cousin Fingon. Warning: Adult themes.
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: Drama, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Mature Themes, Sexual Content (Moderate) |
| Posted on 18 May 2009 | Updated on 18 May 2009 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
The Heir of Fëanor by Ithilwen
Fanwork Information
Maedhros and Maglor at last regain the Silmarils. But have they redeemed their Oath? Violence, disturbing themes.
| Major Characters: Maedhros, Maglor, Mandos |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Adult | Warnings: Violence (Moderate) |
| Posted on 28 June 2009 | Updated on 28 June 2009 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
The Love of Small Things by janeways
Fanwork Information
The ordinary deeds of everyday life in Lindon and Tirion, through letters. A followup to Scion of Kings.
| Major Characters: Elrond, Erestor, Fingon, Gil-galad, Maedhros, Maglor, Nerdanel |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: General | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: General | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 8 July 2018 | Updated on 1 January 2019 |
| This fanwork is a work in progress. |
The Maedhros Saga by Ithilwen
Fanwork Information
A series of connected stories chronicling the life of Maedhros, eldest son of Feanor.
| Major Characters: Fëanor, Fingon, Maedhros, Maglor |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: Drama | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: | Warnings: No warnings apply |
| Posted on 7 March 2021 | Updated on 1 April 2021 |
| This fanwork is |
To Build a House from the Ground Up by Nibeneth
Fanwork Information
After six thousand years in Mandos, Fingon and Maedhros rejoin the world. Nothing will ever be the same as it was, but a remote plot of land, a cabin, a garden, and a few animals are all they need.
| Major Characters: Fingon, Maedhros |
| Major Relationships: No major characters listed |
| Genres: General, Romance, Slash/Femslash | Challenges: No challenge listed |
| Rating: Teens | Warnings: Creator Chooses Not to Warn |
| Posted on 13 August 2016 | Updated on 13 August 2016 |
| This fanwork is complete. |
