New Challenge: Everyman
Create a fanwork about an ordinary character in the legendarium using a quote about an unnamed character as inspiration.
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.
Instadrabbling Sessions for April, May, and June
Instadrabbling continues on the first Saturday of each month on our Discord server.
New Challenge: Famous Last Words
For our March challenge, our moderators will assign you a famous last line to use as a prompt.
[Writing] a life freely given, a favor returned by skywardstruck
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…
[Writing] dye me, nocturne by skywardstruck
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.
[Writing] Til We're on the Other Side by StarSpray
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.
In the dark…
[Writing] A Hundred Miles Through the Desert by StarSpray
“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…
[Writing] Hill and Water Under Sky by StarSpray
a collection of drabbles and mini ficlets in the meanwhile the world goes on 'verse that aren't long enough to stand on their own
[Writing] The Long Arm of the Law by Elrond's Library
Turgon cannot be above the law.
[Writing] Despair and Shadows by octopus_fool
Haleth leaves to find her brother, even though her father does not permit her to.
Everyman
Create a fanwork about an ordinary character in the legendarium using a quote about an unnamed character as inspiration. Read more ...
Dark Matter
Create a fanwork using anti-prompts: prompts that don't appear in your fanwork. Read more ...
Fandom Draws the Line: Fanworks, AI, and Resistance by Dawn Felagund, Grundy
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.
Grief, Grieving, and Permission to Mourn in the "Quenta Silmarillion" by Dawn Walls-Thumma
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.
Tolkien, Lunatic Physicists, and Abnegation by Cynthia (Cindy) Gates
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.
[Artwork] The Mirror of Galadriel by skywardstruck
Smoke rises from the Mirror, where the Lady of Lothlórien awaits to share its visions.
[Writing] Bar-en-Eladar by Gabriel
Out of the shadow, light is born anew.
A Chieftain is dead. And whilst the events surrounding his death are unclear, a son tries to come to terms with his loss.
[Writing] Why did Éowyn ask Faramir if he'd rather have a "woman of the race of Númenor"? by Quente
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?
…
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
April/May Teitho Challenge
Teithio is running a prompt challenge around the theme of "heartbreak."
April Challenge Tolkien Short Fanworks
Tolkien Short Fanworks is running a challenge around the theme of "fools," "foolishness," or "being fooled."
That's a very interesting take on Nerdanel!
I especially like the description of their travels on the outer edge of Valinor and what it meant for them.
The idea of that doll is quite alarming--but it is believable that a sculptor might do this.
Thank you very much for your kind review; I'm very glad you liked the descriptions of the couple's travels and, most of all found this take on Nerdanel interesting, I worried it might fqall a bit flat.
As for the doll you are right, it is quite alarming still I'm glad you didn't find it unbelivable.
Thank you again.
I really like this! The whole thing has a very airy feeling to it, yet also focuses on difficult topics. Nerdanel has always been one of my favourite Silmarillion characters, though I haven't written much about her, sadly.
Thank you very much for having taken the time to read and review this fic. I'm extremely glad this managed to convey anything, moreso to a person who likes the character, I feared all effect was lost in the translation. Yes, the themes are difficult, still that seems to be bound to happen when you are in any way, shape or form related to Fëanor and his brood. Anyway I wanted to depict a person who managed to go on despite everything without bowing.
Thank you again for your review.
This is wonderful work. I found your characterization of Nerdanel to be very sympathetic and relateable, and the imagery you evoke is fantastic. "Swallowed by darkness like a wave by the sand" is just one of many turns of phrase that delighted and intrigued me. Well done indeed!
Thank you so very much for having taken the time to read and write such a kind review for this piece!
I'm incredibly glad you liked the characterization and knowing that someone who writes as well as you do finds some merit in what I write is an honor. I was worried about the style ending up being redundant in translation and kowing it can still evoke images is a relief.
Thank you again.
Comments: I've always been very fond of the concept of Nerdanel as a woman with a different beauty that the one generally recognized by the society she lives in. I think it's a very very important detail, and it gives her much more depths as a female character. And that's the first reason your fic appears as very important to me.
But I also really enjoyed the way you talked about sculpture and creation, and all the things you said about illusion. The parallels on this matter, the way you explained it and expanded the concept of illusion from her art to her reality (and to Fëanor's reality)... That's absolutely fantastic. That's a very clever way to talk about it, and I read avery single word of it with and increasing interest!
I've always been convinced that Nerdanel's difference was a strength rather than a weakness, that her body (which is suppose to be less beautiful than others') gives her a huge advantage comapring to others. Because, beyond the self-consciousness which haunts her, she's wise enough to maybe detach herself from it, and see beyiond the flesh (and when it's related to her work as a sculptor, it's fascinating)
So I loved reading your fic, which isn't only interesting in its content but also
wonderful in its form. It was beautiful in every way.
(Plus, Nerdanel and Fëanor as a couple always fascinate me; their relationship is so interesting and I love them so much *cries because feelings*)
(sorry for the looong review, your fic gave me so many feelings!)
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Comments on Nerdanel and the doll
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