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!
New Challenge: Everyman Create a fanwork about an ordinary character in the legendarium using a quote about an unnamed character as inspiration.
Cultus Dispatches: Fanworks, AI, and Resistance by Dawn and Grundy The fan studies column Cultus Dispatches returns with a history of how Tolkien fanworks fandom has reacted and resisted generative AI by drawing strong boundaries in a way that is not typical for the fandom.
Finrod and Bëor stop for a while on the road to Nargothrond to rest. The bodies of the Secondborn often grow weary, and Finrod laments, massaging Bëor's back and renewing his beloved's vigor with the work of his hands. But Finrod has other burdens of his own, Bëor soon discovers, returning…
Maglor without Maedhros, Daeron without Lúthien. Alone, they are nothing, but together, they can be something more. Where do you turn, when you have no one else left?
Written for Tolkien Reverse Summer Bang 2023, featuring artwork by athlai.
It was only the second time Finwë had come out foraging with them, and of course this would happen—of course the Hunter would come, the Dark Rider on his steed with its terrible, heavy footfalls, and the deep-throated laughter that held no mirth, only malice.
“Come on.” Maedhros grabbed his hand and pulled him along down the path, both of them quickening their pace now, until the trees opened up into a wide meadow filled with flowers, bright yellow celandine and dandelions and sweet-scented pale chamomile mingling with cornflowers and irises. On…
Haleth leaves to find her brother, even though her father does not permit her to.
Current Challenge
Everyman
Create a fanwork about an ordinary character in the legendarium using a quote about an unnamed character as inspiration. Read more ...
Random Challenge
Companies, Clubs, and Cliques
Create a fanwork that explores a group of characters--formal or informal--that Tolkien didn't identify or describe in his own writings. Read more ...
By definition, fanworks fandom does not draw a lot of boundaries, but community archives and events have taken a strong stance against AI-generated fanworks due to ethical considerations and member input.
In a book as full of death as the Quenta Silmarillion, grief and mourning are surprisingly absent. The characters who receive grief and mourning—and those who don't—appear to do so due to narrative bias. Grief and mourning (or a lack of them) serve to draw attention toward and away from objectionable actions committed by characters.
This presentation for Mereth Aderthad 2025 discusses the parallels between the concept of abnegation in the scientific work surrounding the atomic bomb and in The Silmarillion. The relinquishment of self-interest in favor of the interests of others, abnegation was identified by Tolkien as a powerful act of spirit and reason. The legendarium has many examples of the complexities of abnegation, which parallel similar discussions held by physicists during and after World War II.
For most of my life, when reading Lord of the Rings, I read it through the perspective of Gandalf's words about Éowyn, that she'd spent years trapped as a caregiver, watching the realm she love fall from honor into disgrace.
But what if Éowyn was also a student of history?
…
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Angbang Week 2026
Angbang Week is a tumblr event focusing on the relationship between Morgoth and Sauron, running from May 5-11, 2026
Gondor Week 2026
A Tumblr week event focusing on the history of the realm of Gondor.
Crablor Day
A day dedicated to everyone's favourite warcriminal crustacean - April 26, 2026
The Silmarillion Writers' Guild is more than just an archive--we are a community! If you enjoy a fanwork or enjoy a creator's work, please consider letting them know in a comment.
First of all, I love that introductory verse. I got all caught up in that poem when I doing the Tolkien seafarer stuff a couple of years ago.
I love the seaport introductory business--I love seaports in general! And Círdan expected a storm, but getting an old friends in a very hawt human form.
“Ossë, I might have known it was you from your grand entrance. I hope the storm will not catch any other ships coming in unawares.”
“Do not worry. It has largely blown itself out and there are no other ships nearby. I made sure of that before I set sail.”
Like, actually, he made the storm! Great touch.
I love the way you write Círdan and I am very attached to Osse also and his very special relationship with the Teleri.
Very happy also that it has a sweet and fluffy ending. I like the fact that Osse uses more than one human-modeled corporeal form! That is very cute and playful of him. It is also cute how Círdan takes it in stride.
I've always loved that poem, and many others from that era. I thought it fit the theme of the story pretty well too, Cirdan coming to terms with his past and finally able to find some peace. The bustling seaport is always a great image so that was fun to write as well. Thanks for your comments about Cirdan. I'm not, like, super into the character but when I read this prompt I knew just what I wanted to do. It seemed so perfect for the pairing. It's also fun to play with the look of the Maia since, in my world anyway, they can choose a form like we'd choose an outfit. I'm a sucker for a happy ending so you knew these two would get one. Cirdan was around a long time and he deserves a day at the beach once in awhile. Heck, we all do. Thanks not only for your sweet comments but for the beta. You're always there for me and I appreciate it.
This is so beautifully written that it soars to a whole new level for me. The descriptions are gorgeous and bring such life to everything in the story: the characters, places and ideas. I've always wondered how the Maiar and Eldar could experience love together and loved the idea of it. You've written about it more eloquently than anything I've before read.
The little added things are delightful: the mention of refugees and the truth of what they bring; the gentle humour in things like Cirdan's almost loss of control when he accepts Osse's offer and in Osse's changing appearances which almost frighten him.
This story was a truly awesome read; I was so blown away by it!
Thanks so much for your kind comments, Jenni. I always enjoy writing unconventional pairings so it's satisfying to know this relationship reads well and that you enjoyed it. Thanks also for mentioning the little touches about the refugees and the rest. I wanted the setting to seem plausible but still feel like a fantasy. I'm thrilled with this review and so glad you like the story.
I stumbled on your fic while looking for Círdan inspiration and I'm, well, let's just say my idea of him has been utterly refreshed by this!
What a wonderful experience for both of them. And both of them so curious, and sweetly excited yet with an underlying nervousness (despite Ossë's flamboyant displays!).
The worldbuilding info as well as the little details that built their personalities made the climax all the more enjoyable for me.
The image of Ossë pouring tea and eating cakes, savouring every moment in his fana carries a unique sensuality all of its own.
And the thoughts shared on love and friendship, joy and longing are just so relatable.
Oh, there's just so much to enjoy about this fic! Thank you.
Thank you so much, Anérea. It’s always a compliment to know a story has given the reader a a take on a character they really enjoy. It’s always interesting and fun to write about the relationships between Tolkien’s characters and I enjoy the Maia for their otherworldly abilities and attitudes.
I’m happy you enjoyed the world building, details and descriptions. I’ve always romanticized the sea a bit myself so writing about it is always a joy.
This story is kind of a follow up to my story Hearts Like the Sea where Cirdan and Thingol meet and fall in love. That’s why Cirdan is pining for him here.
I really appreciate your comments and appreciate you sharing them. It’s a real treat.
Oooh! Thanks for mentioning Hearts Like The Sea—I was wondering whether the mentions in here hinted at events detailed elsewhere. I'll look it up and bookmark it.
Getting into the mind of a maia is endlessly fascinating for me, if ultimately not entirely possible for us humans. And I really like the way you reversed this, when Ossë says he has no way of knowing whether what he feels is what the Elves feel.
I'm also a total waterbaby and sea lover, so your description of their union Ossëstyle really did it for me!
You’re welcome and I hope you enjoy that one as well.
The Maia are interesting to write about. I don’t think they can ever fully understand what others feel, being spiritual beings with a completely different perspective but I like to think that’s why they find the Elves so fascinating.
“I'm also a total waterbaby and sea lover, so your description of their union Ossëstyle really did it for me!”
Comments on In the Heart of the Storm
The Silmarillion Writers' Guild is more than just an archive--we are a community! If you enjoy a fanwork or enjoy a creator's work, please consider letting them know in a comment.