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.
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…
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.
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.
“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…
Haleth leaves to find her brother, even though her father does not permit her to.
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Everyman
Create a fanwork about an ordinary character in the legendarium using a quote about an unnamed character as inspiration. Read more ...
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Great Beleriand Bake-Off
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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.
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?
…
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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
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.
Very sad, but bittersweet. I like the last four lines very much. I also in my Fingon/Maedhros come back again and again, that under other circumstances he would have made a very good king and that Fingon, in fact, believes that strongly and mourns it along with other things Maedhros lost.
Thanks, Oshun!I actually thought those last four lines were kind of cheesy, but I couldn’t think of another way to do it.I agree that, if the circumstances had been right, Maedhros probably would have been an excellent king (and as all I seem to write lately are AUs, I may have to explore that idea further someday).I’m very grateful that you reviewed this story (again!) – it’s nice to get feedback from someone who seems to be as passionate about Maedhros as I am.:D
Your story most certainly belongs to that kind of fiction that always leaves me awed. And it's not only for the fact that I do have a soft spot for Maedhros. (I believe he's one of the most fascinating characters -- and I agree that he would have been a great king.) My hat's off to you for giving us a great, truly moving portrayal of Fingon.
Heart-breaking, sad, and wonderfully written story, and I marvel at its poetic style.
Wow. That’s a lot of very flattering comments... you’ve really made my day.I’d like to say that I, too, “have a soft spot for Maedhros” but that would be a rather drastic understatement.And it’s worth all the time I’ve devoted to him, when I get reviews as lovely as this one.Thank you very much.
I played around a lot with phrasing and word-flow in this story, so I am glad to hear that it worked out.Characterizing in such a short piece can really be a challenge (especially for minor characters like Maglor), as you have to convey so much with so few words... so I’m glad you think I did well with that.Thank you so much for reviewing; there is nothing I love more than knowing that a writer who I respect has enjoyed my work.
Feta, I regret having missed this when you first posted it! I think you did a really nice job with this: with the rather otherworldly feel and, of course, the courage and love (and political intrigue!) that makes the Finwions so fascinating.
What a subtle, sad, and yet sweet AU ficlet! Maedhros may have lost his beauty and his mental stability (although the latter is debatable), but he's kept something far more precious - Fingon's love. The real orcs are those who don't understand the healing power to be found in love.
Comments on Flawed
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.