Tolkien Reverse Summer Bang 2026

Welcome to Tolkien Reverse Summer Bang! A Reverse Bang is a type of Big Bang event in which artists submit art prompts. The art prompts are then claimed by writers who will write a piece of fiction (min 5000 words) based on the prompt chosen. FAQ | SCHEDULE | PROMOS

[tolkienrsb]

Hi! I missed the sign-up period for authors! Is there any way you could still smuggle me in? 😢

Hi Goschatewabn,

Sign up as a pitch hitter to get the Discord and gallery invites and jump in on 3rd claims at 17:00 UTC.

Mod Elentariel

[tolkienrsb]

If none of the art left inspired me to write something, do I still have to choose one, or can I leave the event?

Hi Nonnie,

You are not obligated to claim art and participate just because you signed up. If you do not think there is anything you can write at least 5k about, we would not fault you for stepping away.

Mod Elentariel

[tolkienrsb]

Just wanted to say to the dear admins that y'all are incredible! We'd benefit so much if there were more people like you in every area of life 💜

Hi Softie!

What a sweet thing to post! It’s nice to be appreciated.

The TRSB Mod Team

[tolkienrsb]

Attention!

Author Sign Ups close on May 20th!

If you want to join us this summer as an author, please click the link below to join the chaos fun!

Sign Up Here

[tolkienrsb]

What happens if all the art are claimed and the writers don't get any art? Can two fics be written for the same art?

Hi Nonnie,

Usually we go to second and third claims for artwork, so writers typically end up with their 1st or 2nd picks plus more. The only way an author might not up with a fic is if they only try and claim 1 or 2 art pieces and do not want to try for another art claim later. Note: We have more artwork than authors. We expect most authors to claim two or so arts.

Two authors cannot claim the same art, but authors may write treats for any artwork. No word limit or limit on how many treats can be written.

Mod Elentariel

[tolkienrsb]

Hi, sorry to be annoying lol. I got my invite to the Discord server a few days ago, and today I tried to join, but it said invite invalid. Did I need to log on to Discord the day I got it? Please help, not sure what I'm doing wrong lol.

Hi Kieran,

It may have expired if you waited a bit to join. Email us again (so we remember) and we will get you an updated link.

Thanks!

Mod Elentarial

[tolkienrsb]

The time has come.

TRSB26 Art Gallery is Live

Prospective authors, come browse this year’s art gallery, fall in love with something beautiful, devastating, or devastatingly beautiful and start plotting your claims strategies for next Saturday.

Huge thanks to all of our artists for such a gorgeous gallery this year. Claims are going to be brutal in the best possible way.

[tolkienrsb]

does the event always have this much participants or is it just a particularly full year ? i didnt expect nearly 200 people !

this is so exciting

good luck mods ! thank you so much for organising this evenet

H Nonnie,

TRSB is usually a pretty large event between artists, authors, and everyone in between. We’re glad you’re here.

Mod Elentariel

[tolkienrsb]

Hi! Apologies for the potentially impatient ask, but I was wondering when the link for the Discord would be sent out to those who signed up after or on May 10th? Thanks! You guys do great work!

Hi Nonny! Thank you very much for the reminder, we will jump to it!

[tolkienrsb]

when it comes to the art talks are we allowed to gush about all the cool little easter eggs and symbolisim we put in our art so long as we don't say it was us ?

Dear Nonny,

We’d prefer if you did not present the details and easter eggs etc of your own artwork during talks, since the level of knowledge could well inform your identity.

However, you are very welcome to send us these details per mail ([email protected]) so we can add it to the image description - that way they will be half hidden but still accessible, and also a lot more likely to be brought up during talks!"

[tolkienrsb]

Hi! I didn't see a sign-up deadline on the website for any roles other than artist and author. Do betas, cheerleaders, pinch-hitters, and treaters have the same deadline as authors? Thank you!

Hi,

Those roles are ongoing throughout the event and do not have defined sign up deadlines.

Mod Elentariel

[tolkienrsb]

Hello,

What time does the Discord server opens?

Thank you

Hi there,

15:00 CEST on May 10th.

Mod Elentariel

[tolkienrsb]

It is anticipated that the server will open 15:00 CEST

Tentative Openings Around the World

9:00AM EDT (New York)

8:00 AM CDT (Chicago)

7:00 AM MDT (Denver)

6:00AM PDT (Los Angeles)

14:00 GMT/BST (London)

18:30 PM (New Delhi)

21:00 CST (Beijing)

23:00 AEST (Sydney)

1:00 NZST (Auckland)

[tolkienrsb]

Today is the day! Please get those art drafts to the mods via email before 11:59pm your local time.

[tolkienrsb]

how long should I wait after submitting an art without a response before I send it again?

I’m probably just paranoid about it not sending because of the deadline but I really don’t want to miss out on submitting my art

Hi Anon,

We generally are able to process art within 24 hours, but times may be slightly longer if we inundated with artwork towards the deadline. If it’s been over 48 hours, please email us again, and check to make sure the reply did not go to your spam. Also keep in mind, the mods are in many different time zones and work on art when we are individually online.

Mod Elentariel

[tolkienrsb]

The deadline is close. Gets those drafts in. The mods are anxiously anticipating the final onslaught of artwork.

[tolkienrsb]

i have my drafts ready , but my exams are coming up , and i will only be done with them mid-june

can i still participate even tho there will not be great advancements on the art piece during that period or should i just wait to particpaate next year

Hi there,

Of course join if you’re interested and have a draft you like. Unless you choose total free rein as a collaborative level with your author, final art drafts are not due until August. Just explain to your author the situation.

Does this ease your mind a little?

Mod Elentariel