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.
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.
"The Fëanorian Zine" Available to Read and Download
We are pleased to be able to offer "The Fëanorian Zine" to read and download on the SWG for free.
Call for Artists for the 2026 Challenge Stamps
We are soliciting help from artists who want to help create the stamps we award to challenge participants.
[Writing] In Early Spring by Serinquanion
In what Maedhros was re-embodied early and was sent back to Middle Earth on his volition with Glorfindel.
This isn't about what happened right then but years after Fall of Sauron when he still refused to return to Valinor.
He found a strange sapling at the shore of what remains of…
[Writing] Umnenyalië by Serinquanion
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…
[Writing] Winter Warmth by Serinquanion
A winter night in Himring. But inside the quarters where fire blazed in hearth was warmer, and not only from the fire or quilt.
[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] Who Will Hear Me? by XirinOfArvada
A lonely elf finds a flute half buried beneath the sand and wonders if its owner will hear him when he calls.
[Writing] Loyal, Faithful by Himring
Late in the Second Age, one of the Faithful reflects critically on past developments. (Free verse.)
[Writing] East Away! by Flora-lass
Aldarion storms off towards Middle-earth. For the Title Track 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 ...
Meet & Greet
For our annual Matryoshka challenge, we add an interactive component. Receive your first prompt and track down the rest by interacting with other SWG members or finding prompts posted online. Read more ...
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.
Twilight, Child Of: Comparisons Between Tinúviel, Lómion, and Undómiel by JazTheBard
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.
The Aromantic in Tolkien by daughterofshadows
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.
[Writing] here you will dwell, bound to your grief by Elrond's Library
Arwen grieves, and loves.
[Writing] Faramir's Verse by losselen
“Come, Faramir. Let us not stand in ceremony. I think words are due between you and I, and not only those between a King and his Steward.”
Faramir has speech with Gandalf and his King.
[Writing] In a Hole in the Ground... by StarSpray
“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.
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.
Forgive my redundancy, but I have to say it again: you have created so much tantalizing detail with a few brushstrokes in "Lack of Privacy." Maitimo lets us in on uptight political Nolofinw, and with one sweep of his arm, Káno indicates that living under the roof of the more tolerant but highly controlling Fëanáro isn't a much better option.
The interchange with Macalaurë regarding Finwë's suggestion is a good one. And Finwë's opinion (as relayed by Káno) that Fëanáro is something of a helicopter parent is a striking one. And I just like Macalaurë in this piece in general (as well as in Mereth Aderthad, of course).
The "smut" ;^) is handled well (no double entendre intended). As a reader, I'm really picky about the slash genre. More often than not, the pairing comes across as a man and a woman-in-a-man's body. You are among a very few writers who are able to convey such pairings as two men. An example: "Findekáno grabbed him in a retaliatory neck lock and butted his head against him gently." Not too mention Maitimo complaining about the catapulting, exuberant Káno as being too heavy!
But this says it all to me in this "smutty" gift for IgB:
"But who could stay gloomy in the presence of the ever-tactile Findekáno of the quicksilver smile and heart as big as the sea."
Truly. I certainly can't stay gloomy. Your Káno is a fantastic character, and I'm always eager to see him.
Thanks so much for commenting. You make it sound so good. I'll buy this review! I do love these characters and am happy that the points you make here reflect exactly what I hope the reader will get out of the story. Actually, this story came first into my head, but I had no intention of writing it anytime soon, if ever. I can't even write a "Do You Believe in Ghost?" crazy gag of a story without a backstory I guess. I do see Feanor as likely to have been one of the very first helicopter parent. That is one of my justifications for the attachment of his seven sons to him. That comes across in Dawn's AMC and even in her Light of the Roses, which is AU to her main storyline.
As much as I enjoyed "Do You Believe in Ghosts?" the wonderful story you wrote for my birthday, I also love this Maitimo and Findekano interlude. Only you could take a great little ficlet and get a plot bunny for a gapfiller that moves your M/F story arc along. You're incredible. As always, the two lovers are in top form, sparring and making up amid the swirl of family and the oversight of parents with very different world views. Thanks for this additional present. I'm one lucky guy!
Thank you! But you are not lucky--you earn it. You have helped me so much. Meanwhile, I do still owe you a ficlet/drabble on the topic you gave me. It's a promise. I am so happy that you like it and thanks for causing me to write both stories.
How sweet, in the best possible sort of way, truly!
I've enjoyed your Maedros and Fingon cycle a great deal and have to say I agree with Pandemonium in that I am a picky gal about slash and that I think you do make it clear that these are two young, lovely and very masculine men in very physical and passionate love with one another rather than the guy and woman-in-man's body sort of deal (which, not to detract from anyone's right to identify with whatever gender and gendered traits they chose sometimes seems like the revenge of Krafft-Ebing). It was also most impressive because you managed to use an interlude to explore some of the tensions within the house of Finwe, especially with the righteous and political Fingolfin and the overbearing Feanor (helicopter parent, oh my!).
Terrific! Thanks!
Lil
Thank you so much for reading and such a thoughtful comment. IgnobleBard couldn't resist insisting on the scene referred to in his silly Halloween story, because he knew there was a back story. Thanks also for your kind comments on my story cycle.
Aww, poor things, lol. I'm glad they found a little bit of alone time. Loved the last line, it was sweet and hot.
The references to Maglor's wife are awesome! The seems like a really interesting character and he clearly loves her.
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Comments on Lack of Privacy
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