The Silmarillion Writers' Guild--An Online Community for Silmarillion Study and Fan Fiction

B2MeM is Coming
Back to Middle-earth Month is almost here! Check out our B2MeM page to find out how to get involved!

Recent Updates:
~Jan. 29, Uncle Bingo Baggins' Bingo Bash by Dreamflower
~Jan. 29, New BINGO Cards
~Jan. 29, New Participant Banners

Current Challenges

It's All in the Numbers
Now that we all have entered the New Year and have to get used to writing 2012, we would love to issue a challenge regarding numbers. Numbers are all around us--be it in math, counting how much you have, or how many are surrounding you--numbers are a significant part of our lives. Numbers have a rich and diverse history in our own world: They have been used for many centuries, and ancient civilations had their own numbering systems. Now take a step back and think about numbers in the world of Tolkien.

You Can't Go Home Again
What would happen if one of Tolkien's characters returned to a beloved home after a long absence? This challenge asks authors to pursue that very question.

Site News

Back to Middle-earth Month 2012
B2MeM is coming! This annual event is held in March. In honor of the 75^th anniversary of the publication of The Hobbit, this year's event will be Bingo Baggins' BINGO Bash. We'll be playing BINGO with a creative twist! For more information, see our B2MeM 2012 page.

February 2012 Newsletter
January's newsletter has been posted with news from within and beyond the SWG, a recap of the month's stories, a biography of Námo Mandos, and new challenges.

FAQ Updates
We have revised two of our FAQs: our definition of "Silmfic" and our image use policy. The December 2011 newsletter has more details.

Library of Tirion: Author Recommendations Needed!
We are running low on new authors to add to the Library of Tirion. Please request authors who published their Silmfic before 2007 so that we can keep this section of our archive growing! Use the Library of Tirion page to request new authors.

Attention Internet Explorer 9 Users!
We have recently seen a spate of reported problems from members trying to use our archive with IE 9. The archive will work with IE 9, but you'll need to set your browser to compatability mode. Microsoft's help page can assist you in setting your browser to work with the archive.

Around the World and Web

LotR Genfic Community
The February Challenge will have the theme "Eye of the Beholder". Your story for this challenge will be a story inspired by art from last month's Art Challenge. Elements for the challenge will be one of the submitted art pieces. There were eleven works of art posted, and you may choose the one you wish to use. Since we may have more than eleven authors, you may choose one which has already been spoken for. For more information on how to participate, visit the LotR Community Challenges community.

Teitho
Holidays to celebrate love exist all around the world. Nowadays, the most widespread one is St. Valentine’s Day, which is why many associate February with love. There might not be an official date to celebrate love in Middle-earth (not one that we know of at least), but love plays a great role in Tolkien’s world, and it is because of love that light always triumphs over darkness in the end. This is why our theme for February is "In the Name of Love". Any type of love works, as long as Aragorn and/or Legolas make an appearance in your story, or are at least mentioned. Entries are due by February 25. The Teitho website has more information.

Inklings Podcast
We are trying to establish a Silmarillion-centric podcast, and we need participants! There will be two formats for the podcast. One will discuss chapters of The Silmarillion, while the other format will include a reading of and discussion of a Silmarillion-based fanwork. Dawn has more details about the project on her LiveJournal. Never podcasted before? Don't worry--it's easy! All you'll need to get started is a computer capable of playing sound, a microphone, and a free Skype account. Project moderators so far are Erurainon, Abby, and Dawn Felagund. While the project is still in its formative stages, we are hoping to record our first podcast in the New Year and are interested in finding out who is interested so that we can collect email addresses and Skype numbers and plan the first podcast! Please comment on Dawn's podcast post or drop her a line at DawnFelagund@gmail.com if you're interested in participating or have any questions.

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TheSilmarillionWriters'Guild

Linguistic Foolery

By Darth Fingon