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.
She is one and many, the heroine and the victim, the courageous and the victim, the dead and the living, her feelings and sufferings are felt and shared together, and no justice, divine or earthly could mend her pain in the aftermath.
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…
The thing about forgiveness, he thought, was that it was so much easier when the object of it was far away—or dead. It was so much easier to let it all go when those responsible were far away and unable to do any more harm.
Inspired by collecting the prompts for the Everyman challenge, this essay considers how ordinary people are subsumed and silenced in The Silmarillion, which begins a three-book arc that ends with the rise of the humble and ordinary.
Feanor and Fingolfin, from their youth to their fall.
"I will do this gladly," Fingolfin said, whispering into Feanor's mouth, grasping for reasons and sense. "Gladly, if it will bring peace between us. If it will end the madness."
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…
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.
This was an interesting beginning; I look forward to reading what you do here. the potential for political and moral (or however Elves think of it) exploration is great in a story such as this.
Thus far, I thought your representation of Melkor and the other Valar was effective and realistic. Melkor's hatred of the Children, for one, was well put. The writing and style seemed in keeping with Tolkien's own work, though there was a distinct personal element that I found to be refreshing.
Thank you, Adonnen. I'm glad you are looking forward to this story. The primary focus will be that of the Vanyar and their reaction to what is going on though we will see how the Noldor and Teleri respond to events as well. I'm glad you find my writing style refreshing. Thanks for letting me know. I appreciate it very much.
Very nice. I think you do an excellent job in expanding upon a story that has already been told. It works very well and makes for an interesting reading experience.
I liked this personal and private look at the Valar communicating with one another. It was unique, yet plausible, and overall I thought it really helped to give depth to the narrative.
The Valar are very much present in this story as you will see and play an important role. Thanks for reading and reviewing, Adonnen. I appreciate it very much.
Your tale brings to life one of the most interesting epasodes in the SIlm I think. Your usage of Melkor's perspective also has an interesting feel to it and I think it a good tale overall.
Hello, Eruraninon. I always thought this was a tale that should be told. Others might have different ideas of what may have happened during this time, but this is the way the Muse presented the story to me. I've written Melkor elsewhere, especially in my tale "Wars of the Valar". Thanks for taking the time to read and let me know how much you like the story. I appreciate it very much.
Comments on In Darkness Bound
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.