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: Scavenger Hunt In this Matryoshka-with-a-twist, you will solve clues that point you to the challenge prompts.
Sign-Up to Hand Out Scavenger Hunt Prompts Our May challenge will be a Matryoshka built around a scavenger hunt. If you'd like to hand out prompts (and receive comments on your work for doing so!), you can sign up to do so.
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.
This is my new poetical attempt to add my own interpretation to Tolkien's Cosmology as to Eru's Creation and the Valar's minds and behind-the-scene providence reasons and mechanisms.. I often review Eä as part of our own world, just in another dimension, this is why I have always seriously…
In his old age, Isildur's former esquire Ruinamacil, known to later histories only as Ohtar, writes his own account of his escape from the ambush at Gladden Fields and journey to Imladris, and the history of his friend whom Isildur ordered to flee with him.
Fëanor shrugged, studying the contents of his wine glass. “Something must be done about that house. It will fall down eventually.” “It does not follow that it must be you that tears it down single-handedly. Are you sure you do not want help?” “It’s not as though I…
Rescued from a brutal Angband hunt, an ex-thrall with a strange and powerful artifact embedded in his spine is brought to Himring, for it is one of the only places in Beleriand which welcomes such folk. Though he has no memories of his life before, Anniavas slowly becomes accustomed to his new…
Meet & Greet
For our annual Matryoshka challenge, we add an interactive component. Receive your first prompt and track down the rest by interacting with other SWG members or finding prompts posted online. 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.
Bilbo, the strange old hobbit with the wandering feet, senses something special in young Frodo the first time he sees the lad; as they become close, they find in each other a cameraderie not well understood by other hobbits. Five poignant moments between Bilbo and Frodo Baggins over the course…
A Chieftain is dead. And whilst the events surrounding his death are unclear, a son tries to come to terms with his loss.
Around the World and Web
Scribbles and Drabbles 2026
Scribbles & Drabbles is a fic and art exchange with a minimum word count of 100 words.
Russingon Week 2026
A Tumblr week event focusing on the relationship between Maedhros and Fingon.
Boromir Week 2026
If you are Boromir girlies/gents/stans/simps, then this event is for you! So, come join us, and bring your fanfiction, art, gifs, moodboards, and headcanons that highlight everything you love about our Captain of Gondor!
Silmarillion Epistolary Week 2026
Silmarillion Epistolary Week is a Tumblr challenge dedicated to creating fanworks to tell the story of the Silmarillion in the style of an epistolary novel.
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.
Of course Rúmil's objections to Finwë's second marriage would appeal to the young boy.
And how clever to let Rúmil and Fëanaro come together over linguistics. It's quite obvious that you are interested in and know a great deal about such subjects. No, it is not boring at all. :-)
My first review at the SWG! I am strangely excited about this...
Thank you so much for taking the time to review, Lissas Elves. I'm really glad you didn't find Rúmil and Fëanáro's writing system chat boring. Canonically, it was the most logical way to bring them together, and since I studied stuff like that at uni (though only in a historical context), I thought, "Hey! There is a way to use this largely useless knowledge!" But having also put on my story-writer's hat, I realised that if I overdid the technical stuff, I would bore readers to death. I guess I've struck the right balance, and that makes me happy. :)
Thanks again, and I'll make sure to check your stuff out! :)
Just to say, I really like the way your Feanaro and your Rumil interact, and I also think you've done very good work on some of the minor characters. You seem to be striking a good balance between the lighter side of things and the darker themes. I've read comparatively little so far that treats Feanaro at this particular age (at any greater length, that is).
Thanks, Himring. :) My two favourite genres to write for are humour and horror. I guess that's where the weird sort of balance comes from in this fic. I like to be good to minor characters too. The world is a big place and full of interesting people. Instead of making a random Noldorin guard, why not give him a nickname and huge hands. Doesn't take that much effort, but it pays off in making your story more realistic, I guess.
I have rarely started the week out with a happier outlook than seeing that you had a new chapter in this tale up for reading. I loved the first three and can't wait to bury myself in the fourth and savor it. Thanks for making my day!
Thanks, Erulisse! I'm glad you like it so much and I hope you had a great tim burying yourself in the chapter and reading all about Rúmil and Fëanáro's bickering. :)
I just wanted to say that I really enjoy reading this story. I've previously followed it on ffnet, but I am now following it on here. I loved the latest chapter and I enjoy the character development, as each chapter unfolds - Finwe, Rumil and Feanor + others.
Thanks, Blossom! I wondered how many people followed this story on both sites. I guess there are a few hard-core Silm fans out there who will go anywhere and everywhere to get their fix (me included!)
'Course I'm all reading! I've got to say, this is possibly my favourite fic - ever. Your writing is really, really beautiful, and I love watching how the characters develop. Also, your Rumil is brilliant - just the right mix of emotion and sarcasm. I always look forward to seeing a new chapter come up, and I honestly don't know why it's taken me this long to write a review.
I hope I can expect more chapters to come, as this is such good reading!
I just wanted to pop in and write a review. I am still enjoying this story immensely. It's always a joy when I see an update!
re. earlier review. Yup, I tend to check in here and Faerie (Tolkien fanfiction. 'Faerie' started in answer to changes at lotrfanfiction.com. Some of the authors whose works I enjoy migrated there).
Comments on Peculiar
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.