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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Special Projects

Akallabêth in August

Each August, we run the Akallabêth in August challenge in order to spotlight our Second-Age writers and encourage others to join in. In 2009, we decided to make a bigger event of it. Akallabêth in August 2009 is a chronological "retelling" of the Akallabêth as only our talented Second-Age authors, poets, and artists could manage! Read more...

Back to Middle-earth Month 2008: The Circles of the World

Back to Middle-earth Month is an annual holiday started to remember how and why we all got involved in the Tolkien fandom. Every year, SWG puts together a project to honor not only Tolkien's works but the creativity of the fans who continue his vision. 2008's theme--The Circles of the World--considers the many different events that take place on Arda in the context of what inspires us as fans. Read more...

Back to Middle-earth Month 2009

For 2009's B2MeM, we challenged our authors and artists with a daily prompt to take their creativity in new directions. Read more...

Back to Middle-earth Month 2010: The Last Battle

In 2010, B2MeM participants embarked on an adventure to determine the fate of the world during the Last Battle. Read more...

Fifth Birthday Celebration

In July 2010, the SWG celebrated its fifth birthday. We couldn't let this landmark occasion pass without celebration, so we commemorated the only way we knew how: with stories, poems, and artwork. Read more...

Funnies

Every month, we feature comics in our newsletter to prove that just because The Silmarillion is relentlessly tragic doesn't mean we can't still find something to laugh about! We've collected all of the funnies here for easy access and to give our archive members the ability to leave comments. Read more...

Seven in '07

July 2007 contained the special date 07/07/07, and while many rushed out to test their luck in games of chance, fans of the House of Fëanor saluted the characters that have inspired thousands of stories, poems, and works of art. Seven in '07 is a compilation of visual art and creative writing that illustrates the histories of each member of the House of Fëanor. More than two dozen authors and artists aided SWG in honoring the characters responsible for inspiring some of the Tolkien fandoms most noteworthy creative achievments. Read more...

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