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: Title Track Tolkien's titles range from epic to lyrical to metaphorical. This month's challenge selected 125 of them as prompts for fanworks.
Our Annual Amnesty Challenge: New Year's Resolution Start 2026 off with creativity! If you missed a challenge or didn't get to finish or post a challenge fanwork, complete any 2025 challenge before 15 February to receive the stamp.
He was going to die. The molten rocks would burn him just like the cursed gem in his palm did. Maybe less painfully but still being burnt hurt and Maedhros knew it. He intimately knew it from his time in Angband where Þauron burnt him often in frustration and to toy with him and his master…
“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…
Aldarion storms off towards Middle-earth. For the Title Track challenge.
Current Challenge
Title Track
Create a fanwork using our collection of 125 titles from Tolkien's books, chapters, essays, poems, and fragments as inspiration. Read more ...
Random Challenge
Love Conquers All
Show how one character helps another to overcome a difficulty in his or her life through love. Read more ...
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.
This presentation for Mereth Aderthad 2025 discusses the many similarities between Tolkien's three "twilight children," Tinúviel, Lómion, and Undómiel (Luthien, Maeglin, and Arwen) in terms of appearance, plot, and cultural background. Yet these three characters play very different roles in the text.
Presented at Mereth Aderthad 2025, this paper makes the case thata, although the term "aromantic" had not yet been coined in Tolkien's day, many of his characters can be read as aromantic. The paper takes a closer look at Aredhel, Bilbo, and Boromir as three examples of characters who can be read as aromantic.
“There’s a goblin hiding in the taters, Dad!” Pippin hefted the pan, which was much too big for him to carry, let alone wield.
Around the World and Web
March Challenge - Tolkien Short Fanworks
Tolkien Short Fanworks is running a challenge for the month of March to create a Back to Middle-earth Month themed challenge.
Tolkien Fashion Week 2026
This two-week-long Tumblr event is dedicated to honoring the world of fashion and textiles Tolkien wrote about in his books.
Celegorm and Curufin Week 2026
Celegorm and Curufin Week is a Tumblr week celebrating the relationship between Celegorm and Curufin Feanorion
Back to Middle-earth Month 2026
Back to Middle-earth Month is returning for it's 20th year with many prompts and archival efforts.
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.
Curvo CAN be devious - though it's easier when Mags doesn't realise he's being played. He enjoys talking about his talented friends, though, so I can't think he'd really mind...
OMG! This is a adorable. I love it. Great characterization all the way through. I love the younger, softer Curufinwe which one does not often find in fics. I love almost tossed away passing characterization of the others. Love the idea of Maglor gathering artists of all sorts around him to help him produce extravaganzas. I especially love the half-Telerin/half-Vanrarin young woman who is not intimidated by grumpy, hyper-focused Feanor.
I really like your Telperina and how her relationship with Curvo develops!
The way you integrate the artifacts of the challenge seems very natural and they add just the right kind of touches to make your take on Valinor feel more fully realized.
I sprinkle them everywhere! (I kind of enjoy the idea of this challenge, I'm wondering how many I can get into this framework, either as pieces of my 'mueum' or as throw-away mentions in the fic itself... we shall see!)
I just discovered this tonight and I think it's lovely. Very creative way of incorporating the objects and prompt. I really like the fact that you chose Curvo and his courtship for the story line. The characterisations are excellent and the undercurrent of humor here, especially regarding Kanó (and intoxicated Finno), is quite entertaining. I often feel an undercurrent of sadness/impending tragedy when I read fics set in the happier days in Tirion before the Darkening but I don't get that from this story and that is refreshing. I like the fact that Curvo is a bit out of his depth and that he has rough edges and imperfections--especially his utter lack of fashion sense! The romantic tension is well done and I am as ready for them to kiss as they are!
I'm happy the lack of impending tragedy works (I, too, read so many woe is coming fics, but it really didn't fit this story to be angst that way)
My Curvo is definitely not smooth... And honestly I don't even know when the kissing will happen ;) also, yay, I'm secretly funny! Well, I'm most often funny by accident, but I did want to explore the brothers' dynamics without worrying too much about the darker parts of the story (may still happen, you never know) because I don't think any of them are the same characters in happy tirion (for a certain degree of happy, anyway) as they are later, under the influence of the deeds they have done, the Oath, and all the rest.
I cannot tell you how much I adore the attempted lock picking scene and how you have characterised them all so well. Carnistir and his lock picking, Maitimo overseeing everything but also in charge of the little ones, Tyelko gleeful at the prospect of climbing up to the roof and Makalaure irritable. But their seriousness when discussing the rule of no locking up craft rooms and their palpable worry about Curvo, who most certainly should know that rule. Also the lovely touch that they have often had to drag him away when he is creating or manage to get food into him. really lovely details. And of course they will be discussing pulleys and ropes because they are problem solvers and full of unique and creative ideas, even for breaking into Curvo's forge.
Tyelko's thoughtful bundle of food is perfect.
And what a great scene in the forge! I love how completely flustered he is that his carefully laid plans have been brought to a shambles. And that he has made a dozen rings and can't decide which is best for her but has one defiinitely fo himself.
I had a feeling Feanaro would show up and be able to get in. I love that he reprimands for the locked door, not much else. Great chapter. Can't wait to see the brothers reactions. They know, I'm sure of it.
I hadn't actually planned to write their reaction... but now I surely must :O Also Nerdanel... I shall continue beyond ze deadline ^^
Curvo certainly does know the rule, it just didn't seem quite as important as his plans at the time... even if it led to being interrupted by his father (and, yes, Fëanor DID really go make a key to unlock the door - he was worried, too).
Fëanor, in general, strikes me as someone who would notice the ring she was wearing, realise why she was wearing it (recognising Curvo's work, perhaps), and be a little lenient... - he'd remember when it was he and Nerdanel hiding out in a forge, after all. Their similarity would probably allow him to guess that Curvo would not do so if he wasn't serious, which meant there'd be little reason to protest.
The wild begetting-day party, swamped by too many inebriated brash young Noldor! But none more brash than "with Prince Half-Naked"--love the descriptions and cultural blending and contrasts. What one would expect at a party like that of the best and brightest of the younger generation of a privileged people. Just as I would expect in the golden age of Tirion.
Fingon stoned out of his mind, draped all over his favorite cousin, and Maedhros being relentlessly correct and gracious while taking his leave of their hostess!
I love the almost-kiss scene. That was so well done--terribly romantic and suspenseful and then annoying drunk Maglor! Oh, well. There will be another chance. They are lovely together. Love that she manages to reach him with mind-touch and bid him an affectionate farewell that way.
What a great story! Thoroughly enjoyed it. Great depiction of Curufin before everything blew up. He's so often depicted as sinister (a la Nargothrond). Makes you wonder how he even had a wife. Your tale showed his better side and you did a wonderful job in showing how their love bloomed from that initial meeting.
Comments on A Walk down Memory Lane
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.