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Founded in 2005, the Silmarillion Writers' Guild exists for discussions of and creative fanworks based on J.R.R. Tolkien's The Silmarillion and related texts. We are a positive-focused and open-minded space that welcomes fans from all over the world and with all levels of experience with Tolkien's works. Whether you are picking up Tolkien's books for the first time or have been a fan for decades, we welcome you to join us!

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SWG News

Instadrabbling Sessions for October, November, and December
Instadrabbling continues on the first Saturday of each month on our Discord server.

New Challenge: Stars
Create a fanwork using star-themed prompts presented in a bingo board format.

Cultus Dispatches: Trends in Fandom Entry Year
The films inspired a lot of fanfiction, yes, but exactly how fanfiction authors interacted with them predicts who remains in the fandom for long durations.

Character of the Month: Marach
There are few details in the texts about Marach, but he is noteworthy for his allegiances and his descendants, who would become pivotal to the history of Middle-earth and the eventual defeat of Morgoth and Sauron.

Known Site Issues

New & Updated Fanworks

[Writing] In the Gardens of Lórien by gaydhros

“Can you wait that long?” Findekáno asks.


“Yes,” snaps Maitimo , though in truth he is not so sure. His bladder is ridiculously full, swollen and aching, jostling around uncomfortably with every step he takes. It takes a concerted effort of will not to squirm around awkwardly or grab…

[Writing] The Skin of Your Mother Before You by gaydhros

But Aredhel knew better than her mother; she was stronger, she was more willful, she was enlightened. She would not make the same mistakes Anairë had made. She would find a way to do it all differently.


***


Re-embodied in Aman, Aredhel struggles to come to terms with all that has…

[Reference] Eönwë by NelyafinweFeanorion

Across the history of the "Silmarillion," Eönwë's role settles on a character who leads without taking upon himself the power to mete out justice and who acts with equanimity across some of the most harrowing conflicts in the early legendarium.

[Writing] The Day Transcending Night by StarSpray

The Rings have been forged. The armies of Mordor are marching into Eriador. Eregion burns. 


Far away from it all, by the shores of the Sea, Celegorm remembers his name.

[Writing] When the Leaves Fall Golden by Dagstjarna

Celebrimbor reflects on his life and his childhood in Tirion. 

[Writing] The Spruce Tree by Dagstjarna

A young Celegorm and Curufin befriend an old Spruce tree. 

[Writing] Bury Me to Release Your Splendor by annarobots

“Do you know what grows on the shores of the southern isles? A trading-merchant might bring many strange specimens to our lands, like nothing I have ever seen. In recent days, I have tasted a ripe fruit with firm flesh that parted beneath my tongue in a burst of liquid sweetness. So…

Current Challenge

Stars
Construct a fanwork using star-themed prompts in a bingo card format. Read more ...

Random Challenge

To Be Free
Use a fanwork to show a character working to achieve freedom. Read more ...

New in References

Eönwë by NelyafinweFeanorion

Across the history of the "Silmarillion," Eönwë's role settles on a character who leads without taking upon himself the power to mete out justice and who acts with equanimity across some of the most harrowing conflicts in the early legendarium.

Speak Friend and Enter: Trends in Fandom Entry Year by Dawn Walls-Thumma

Across three surveys and ten years, the Tolkien Fanfiction Survey has document when authors began writing. These data reveal trends in how film promotions, the films themselves, the books, and other historical contexts have influenced not only who writes but how long they stay.

Marach by NelyafinweFeanorion

There are few details in the texts about Marach, but he is noteworthy for his allegiances and his descendants, who would become pivotal to the history of Middle-earth and the eventual defeat of Morgoth and Sauron.

Featured Themed Collection

Beyond the Silmarillion

[Writing] For a Better World by Ellynn

Thirteen years before the War of the Ring, an orcling — more intelligent and more curious than most — is born in Mordor. His curiosity will lead him to both incredible discoveries and perilous situations, all of which will shape him into a leader unlike any Mordor has ever known. But to become…

[Writing] IN THE SHIRE-RECKONING by Diane Finnis-Robb

-This novel was completed for Hobbit Day 2026 and will be updated in serialized fashion here as I make final edits; so feedback is very much welcome.


-It is a multi-generational novel spanning the fgormation of the Shire to the Great Plague Year Thirty-six and focuses on the origins of an…

[Writing] Under Agate Skies by Isilme_among_the_stars

Erestor finds himself thrust into adventure when Elrond requests his company escorting Arwen to Minas Tirith after the War of the Ring is won. All too aware of the chronic illness that has bound his friend to Rivendell for the past several centuries, Glorfindel has some concerns. Erestor, aware…

Around the World and Web

Oritober 2026
A gen and safe for work event celebrating Middle Earth's favorite dwarf scribe!

Erestober 2026
An event running throughout October, to show appreciation for Erestor!

Silm Smut Week 2026
Silm Smut Week is a Tumblr event celebrating sexually explicit fanworks.

Tolkien Sapphic September
Tolkien Sapphic September is a month long event focusing on Sapphic relationships and characters in Tolkien and adjacent materials.

View all Around the World and Web announcements.

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Bedtime Stories by Anérea  

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Fanwork Notes

Listed vaguely in in-universe chronological order, this selection ranges from post-creation to the Third Age.

Podfics run from a few minutes to over an hour. Check individual podfics for ratings and warnings.

I'll probably keep adding to this list as I come across more.

For ziggy, who thought this would be a good idea. Thanks for your enjoyment and encouragement!

Fanwork Information

Summary:

Just a few of my favourite podfics that I've found soothing for bedtime (or middle of the night, or any time really) listening.

Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Narvi, Belladonna Took Baggins, Gandalf, Bungo Baggins, Original Character(s), Original Female Character(s), Elwing, Eärendil, Olwë, Númenóreans, Dúnedain, Elrond, Celebrían, Maglor, Maedhros, Celegorm, Caranthir, Mandos, Frodo, Samwise Gamgee, Narvi, Aulë, Ilmarë, Thuringwethil, Fox, River-woman

Major Relationships: Celebrimbor/Narvi, Celebrían/Elrond, Ilmarë/Thuringwethil, Daeron/Maglor, Eärendil/Elwing, Caranthir/Original Character

Genre: Fanwork Collection, Recommendation List

Challenges: In Rare Form, Jubilee

Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate

Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings

Posted on 11 January 2025 Updated on 12 January 2025

This fanwork is a work in progress.

A Promise of Lightning (read by Chestnut_pod, written by The Wavesinger)

The story of Ilmarë and Thuringwethil, from the beginning to the beginning, again. 

Length: 40:53

Major Characters: Ilmarë, Thuringwethil
Major Relationships: Ilmarë/Thuringwethil
Rating: Adult     Warnings: Sexual Content (Moderate), Violence (Mild)

Alternative on AO3

Paper (written and read by Dawn Felagund)

Curufin escapes to the realms of fantasy to escape the pressures of his family and discovers the thrill of first love.

Major Characters: Curufin, Unnamed Canon Character
Major Relationships: Curufin/Unnamed Canon Character
Rating: Teens
Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild)

Beyond the Western Shore (read by Anérea, written by StarSpray)

In her wanderings through Aman, Minyelmë comes to the farthest shore.

Length: 3:10

Major Characters: Original Female Character
Rating: General
Warnings: None

Hearken Still Unsated (written and read by polutropos)

When the Noldor return to Middle-earth to make war on Morgoth, only rumours reach Menegroth of their reasons for coming, but Doriath's minstrel experiences their loss and longing through his connection to Music and the gift of his Queen. Years later, he is sent to the Feast of Reuniting and meets the Elf whose grief he felt. A story about the Eldar returning home, their connection to the land and to each other, and their relationship to Music and fate, love and free will. 

Length: just over 1.5 hours

Major Characters: Daeron, Maglor, Melian
Major Relationships: Daeron/Maglor, Daeron & Melian
Rating: Adult 
Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild)

No Traveler Returns (read by Tanis, writen by IgnobleBard)

Namo confronts a newly dead Elf.

Length: 8:12

Major Characters: Mandos, Original Character
Rating: General
Warnings: None

Original text

Lake Helevorn: A Summer Romance (read by Anérea, written by Himring)

Uncanonical take on Caranthir's canonical wife: in himring!verse she's not an elf.

Length: 4:15

Major Characters: Caranthir, Original Female Character
Major Relationships: Caranthir/Original Female Character
Rating: Teens
Warnings: None

Unstrung (read by polutropos, written by tehta)

Right before the War of Wrath, Maglor explains himself.

Length: 18:36

Major Characters: Maglor, Maedhros, Celegorm
Major Relationships: Maedhros & Maglor, Elrond & Elros & Maglor
Rating: Teen
Warnings: None

All They Had to Lend (read by Chestnut_pod, written by gogollescent)

From a few hundred feet up, the swan ships could be seen to hesitate.

Length: 18:18

Major Characters: Elwing, Eärendil, Olwë
Major Relationships: Elwing/Eärendil
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: None

What Lies Beyond The End (read by Anerea, written by Melesta)

"The Silmaril falls slowly, so slowly, as if taking its time to caress the weightlessness of Ulmo’s waters. Does it seek relief also, Maglor wonders, to be free at last of all the hands that lusted after its blessed shine?"

Maglor casts his Silmaril into the Sea.

Length: 6:18

Major Characters: Maglor
Rating: General
Warnings: None

Alternative on AO3

Three times, the forge (read by Chestnut_pod, written by LiveOakWithMoss)

Celebrimbor kisses Narvi. Narvi kisses Celebrimbor. Somehow, Celebrimbor is still perplexed.

Length: 8:35

Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Narvi
Major Relationships: Celebrimbor/Narvi
Rating: Teens
Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild)

Alternative on AO3

Those Who Have Dwelt In Darkness (read by the_dragongirl, written by LadyBrooke)

Narvi is hesitant to put his trust in others to make their weapons for the Final Battle.
Aulë sees too many similarities to past events.

Length: 8:55

Major Characters: Narvi, Aulë
Rating: General
Warnings: None

Stay, Forever (read by polutropos, written by Melesta)

The first snow brings bittersweet memories for Elrond. Through remembrance and song, he reveals a feeling that has been budding in his heart for a long time.

Length: 9:26

Major Characters: Elrond, Celebrían, Maglor
Major Relationships: Celebrían/Elrond, Elrond & Maglor
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: None

kâtha batîna lôkhî (read by Chestnut_pod, written by vardasvapors (cynewulf))

For even after the ruin the hearts of the Dúnedain were still set westwards; and though they knew indeed that the world was changed, they said: 'Avallónë is vanished from the Earth and the Land of Aman is taken away, and in the world of this present darkness they cannot be found. Yet once they were, and therefore they still are, in true being and in the whole shape of the world as at first it was devised.'

The title translates from Adûnaic as "all roads are bent".

Length: 11:51

Characters: Númenoreans, Original Characters
Rating: Not Rated
Warnings: None

Concerning Hobbits (read by Thimblerig, written by WerewolvesAreReal)

As in all matters, the hobbits handled their Creation quietly, and this is because they were not created at all.

Length: 16:25

Major Characters: Frodo Baggins, Sam Gamgee
Rating: General
Warnings: None

My Adventure, by Belladonna Baggins née Took (written and read by Thimblerig)

Gandalf exclaimed once: 'That I should live to be 'Good morninged' by a son of Belladonna Took!' Bilbo's mum has a story to tell and this is it. Holidays by the Sea, Elves, and much Falling in the Water.

Length: approximately 100 minutes

Characters: Belladonna Took, Gandalf, Bungo Baggins, Original Characters
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: None

A Vulpine Gentleman With Business of His Own (read by Chestnut_pod, written by bunn)

A brief interlude in the life of a fox with a job to do.

Length: 5:14

Major Characters: Fox Passing Through the Wood On Business of His Own, Riverwoman
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: None

Almacombë Lairesto: A Tolkien Poetry Podfic Anthology by Chestnut_pod (various authors)

From Nortonion, an anthology to keep. This highly anticipated first edition of collected poetic works from the Western Lands of Arda features 13 poets, 27 poems, and innovative audio formatting. The First Edition of The Nortonion Almacombë Lairesto is an excellent tool for teachers and an unmatched resource for students.

Includes:
Art in the Ordinary by lferion
Song of Lake Linaewen by Zdenka
Alchemy by Lady_Branwyn
Fragment: In the long days of Darkness by losselen (zambla)
Gil-Galad Was No Elven-king by kimikocha
To Drain a Lake by Himring
A Song for Goldberry by KhamulTheEasterling
Gross Reflections (On the Fifth Battle) by lferion
The Shieldmaiden and the Witch-king by Zdenka
Black and White by Lingwiloke
The north-march by losselen (zambla)
Three Bredlik poems by Himring
For which we were created by LiveOakWithMoss
Grey and White Wings by lferion
Rían at the Hill of Slain by Zdenka
Cirdan by primsong
Gacela of the stolen sun by losselen (zambla)
Hope Across Helcaraxe by orphan_account
To an absent lover by Himring
F*ck Me When the War Is Done, and Other Poems by Ninnachel by amyfortuna (elwinfortuna)
Erebor Waits by lferion
Middle-earth Poetry by Zdenka
Pippin in Gondor by primsong
Two poems for Daeron by losselen (zambla)
Song for a dark road by Judin
Song of the Laughing Maiden by Zdenka
Paths of Story by Himring

Length: 56:19

Characters: various canon and original characters
Rating: General Audiences to Mature
Warnings: Major Character Death (in some poems)


Red clouds framing a starry nightsky

daughterofshadows

1 year 8 months ago

Permalink

I'll have to check these out…

I'll have to check these out next time I'm looking for something to listen to. Thanks for taking the time to put this together!

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Anérea (Laiquendi snuggled in a tree)

Anérea

1 year 3 months ago

Permalink

In reply to I'll have to check these out… by daughterofshadows

♡

Thanks! I hope you enjoy them as much as I do! 

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A close-up shot of auburn hair in a French braid.

Chestnut_pod

1 year 3 months ago

Permalink

<3

I am honored to be of help in such an important quest as that for sleep!

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Anérea (Laiquendi snuggled in a tree)

Anérea

1 year 3 months ago

Permalink

In reply to <3 by Chestnut_pod

♡

Thanks so much for all your lovely podfics — you really do podfics so beautifully! (There's a lot more ofyours that live on my phone, I just felt better to make a small selection here.)

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