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
B2MeM 2010
Back to Middle-earth Month 2010 was a collaborative game-style challenge where participants created fanworks in order to progress in their attempt to win the Last Battle. 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.
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.