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, my author and i were looking at the event timeline and are a bit confused. what is the difference between the date the fic and art can be posted, reveals, and promo posting? they all seem really similar, so when do we actually post our stuff and what exactly do we need to do for the other deadlines?

Hi dreamw0rms,

Art can be posted outside of the discord server on August 26th. Typically artists build some suspense and hype by posting it to tumblr or another platform along with “look for accompanying fic”, which they link back once that’s revealed.

The fic (and art: either embedded with in the fic or posted separately and linked to the fic) needs to be posted to the TRSB26 AO3 collection by August 30. The fic will remain unrevealed until September 5.

Other deadlines to keep in mind are:

Final artwork is due to authors on August 9. Just share it with your author.

Final check in is on August 16. Both the artist and author must check in separately at this one.

A lot of things are happening within the next month. Hope this helps!

[tolkienrsb]

when will the fics be allowed to release ?

Hi anonymous,

Art can be shared on August 26 but fics are not to be revealed outside of AO3 until September 5 (when the collection is opened).

[tolkienrsb]

can I ask my writer for a snippet ? If they want to share ? Is it allowed ?

Hi!

Yes, this is absolutely allowed and encouraged. Just keep it between the two of you until reveals.

[tolkienrsb]

Does this event allow Generative AI?

Hi Anonymous,

No, TRSB does not allow the use of Generative AI for artwork or written pieces.

TRSB Mod Team

[tolkienrsb]

do i submit the finished art piece to the moderators if i finished now or like just hold unto it until the reveal

Hi Nonny!

Finished art pieces do not need to be posted to the mods, you may safely hold onto it until closer to reveals! Some dates to keep in mind (for you and for other artists who wonder):

August 9th: Artists must have shared the final art with their authors by this date – but don’t post it yet!

26: Art Can Be Posted Artworks can be posted to your preferred platform on or after this date (but before they are due in the collection). Artists should ensure that their author has received a link to the art for embedding or linking in the finished fic as agreed upon before August 30th (deadline for posting the fic to the collection).

-mod Penguin

[tolkienrsb]

I am super sad I missed this years event 😭 I follow the tag TRSB but not TRSB26

Hi Anon,

We miss you too. You can still sign up as a treat maker, beta reader, or art/writing pitch hitter to get a Discord invite and join in on the fun this summer.

We need all three roles.

Mod Elentarial

[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