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!
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.
New Challenge: Allusive Literature and art constantly refer back to each other using allusions, and this month's prompts are inspired by allusions to literature, myth, art, and history.
New Challenge: Building Middle-earth Let global architecture be your inspiration in this challenge, where you will work with a prompts that are architectural styles, locations in Arda, or both.
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…
Of course, she knew that in the Blessed Land, true harm was unlikely to come to him. The Valar watched over them all, and the lesser spirits were everywhere. It was a great hound of Oromë who had found him happily splashing in the creek, in fact. But anyone could drown in mere…
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.
When uneasy dreams bring him back into Beleriand, Daeron finds a pair of twins who have lost their home, and an enemy who has lost himself. The Shadow's reach is growing ever longer, and if they are to survive, they must do it together.
Current Challenge
Allusive
Choose from our list of allusions to history, literature, mythology, and art to create a fanwork. Read more ...
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.
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.
A dissenting voice in Marach's alliance with the Elves of Beleriand, Amlach experiences a change of mind after a mysterious twist in the story reorients his priorities toward enmity with Morgoth.
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.
Painful but successful, graphic without being overwhelming or repugment. I think the grace of form overcomes the natural impulse to look away and the redemptive closing for me is most effective. It works for me.
Thank you! I didn't mean for the torture to be so detailed - initially I had a whole different idea for Maitimo, but I think Morgoth stole my pen and had some fun. I'm glad the form balances it out :)
This is great! But you were kicking in an open door when you chose the form. Was just thinking earlier today how this form would suit Maglor for me--seriously--not making this up!
Thank you! And really, you thought of this too? That's so cool :) The idea came to me when I was rereading the start of the Odyssey and realised how well the Silm (and Maglor in particular being the tragic hero kind) would work with that form. I guess I could have made the poem longer but I'm far from being an expert... so maybe I would've ruined it. Who knows.
Love this. I have long thought that there are definitely parallels between the Silmarillion and the Iliad/Odyssey. Even though I know Tolkien's work is based more on Norse myths it is hard to not draw comparisons between the Valar and the Olympians, not to mention some of the individual characters themselves. Lovely idea.
Thank you so much! I definitely agree! Mythological writing style aside, the tragic nature of many of Tolkien's heroes (not in the least the Feanorians) definitely has echoes of Greek tragedy :)
Thank you! :) I'm glad you liked those in particular! My personal favourite is Caranthir's, which is surprising because I struggled a lot over what to write for him. But I am quite fond of the Greek 'epic' style too :)
Comments on Sons of Fire and Blood
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.