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 ...
Analysing Arda
Create a work of nonfiction. All nonfiction is welcome, from headcanons to essays to multimedia responses. 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."
Sometimes one can get lost in Tolkien's world and have it feel very much like our own and permit oneself to accept its magical element as plausible and reasonable. With this tale, you fly off into the realm of pure fairie--nothing ordinary or day-to-day about this setting. And yet you touch emotional truths that one can understand.
"Still, between her, Tilion and Eärendil there was nothing going on on Arda’s surface that at least one of them did not know about."
This is a very entertaining concept and interesting part of their interactions with the world and one another.
What I really like about Tolkien's world is that it is so enormous and immersive and it feels like anything's possible without the characters themseves being omniscient and emotionally so distant that they become unavailable.
The Sun and the Moon are visible to everyone, so why shouldn't everyone also be visible to the Sun and Moon? That was basically my reasoning. I'm glad you liked the idea!
I really like the idea of those three beoming friends--that Earendil's arrival helped to resolve the tension between Arien and Tilion.
It does seem to be the kind of task for which even a Maia might need some emotional support.
Such a sad glimpse of Nerdanel, coming to enquire after Maglor--and yet it's almost a comforting thought that at least she had Arien to ask about him.
Thank you! Three people dissolve the tension that can exists between two, and with time Eärendil's arrival calmed down the tempers of both Arien and Tilion. I think that once Tilion's crush (can we call it that?) faded, his behaviour returned to 'normal' and Arien saw the person underneath the nuisance.
Haha, I personally don't think the Ainur in gener are all that skilled when dealing with emotions, which was how Melkor was able to manipulate so many of them. (Part of Melkor's rebellion consisted of being in touch with his feelings and acting on them, I imagine).
Yes it is, isn't it? Despite being hailed as Cursed and Dispossessed Fëanorians, they are her children, as well and I think that is something people forget once they arrive in Beleriand. Arien feels Nerdanel's grief, and by extension empathizes with Maglor.
Oh, I loved this! Firstly, it's great to see Tilion and Arien interact (beyond his silly attempts to chase her and get his beautiful vessel burnt!) and also befriending Eärendil, but moreover because it gave so much thought to how this would work out in the long run! I never thought about how they might cope with everything they get to witness from above. The thought of Eärendil and Tilion as gossipers was as amusing as Nerdanel asking Arien about Maglor was heartbreaking. Loved the description of Arien's mansion and the thought you gave to the physical reality of the Maiar, too!
Thank you! It makes me so happy when people like my stories. Haha, with the phases of the moon and all I don't think Tilion will ever truly stop chasing Arien ;) It was the idea of Tilion and Eärendil as Arda's finest gossipers that made me choose Arien as a subject for this challenge! One day I will write a story about the two of them! I think that Tilion and Eärendil became really close; when Eärendil joined them in the sky, Tilion acted as his mentor, since they most often sailed together. Eventually that morphed into a brotherhood, and when Tilion and Arien made up, she joined them too. I don't think Eärendil would've been able to bear the weight of his duty without Tilion. I don't think that even the Valar can truly comprehend what an impact that can have, which made them find comfort with each other.
The interaction between Arien and Nerdanel almost wrote itself and I can't deny it made me shed a few tears as well ;)
oh, this is wonderful! A gentle, yet sad tale in its own way, but the friendship between Tilion and Earendil made me smile. And of course Tilion is still chasing Arien *wry grin* as though he could do anything else!
Arien feeling Nerdanel's pain made me cry for them both though. The things these Watchers of Arda must see...*wishes I could hug Arien, if she wouldn't burn me that is*
Donut: *perches on his Kaylee's shoulder and offers Arien a fish* Mine?
Hm :) silly seagull. but Donut has an interest in Earendil and Elwing, so that explains him poking in on my review, lol. *giggles*
Thank you for posting this wonderful story! :)
Thank you for the review! Arien, Tilion and Eärendil are the new trinity ;) and with the phases of the Moon being what they are, Tilion can hardly stop chasing her, now can he?
Arien is not really a people person, but nonetheless is deeply empathic. And you can hug her! As long as she's wearing her physical form, you are fine!
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Comments on Sunset to Sunrise
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