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: Scavenger Hunt In this Matryoshka-with-a-twist, you will solve clues that point you to the challenge prompts.
Sign-Up to Hand Out Scavenger Hunt Prompts Our May challenge will be a Matryoshka built around a scavenger hunt. If you'd like to hand out prompts (and receive comments on your work for doing so!), you can sign up to do so.
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.
This is my new poetical attempt to add my own interpretation to Tolkien's Cosmology as to Eru's Creation and the Valar's minds and behind-the-scene providence reasons and mechanisms.. I often review Eä as part of our own world, just in another dimension, this is why I have always seriously…
In his old age, Isildur's former esquire Ruinamacil, known to later histories only as Ohtar, writes his own account of his escape from the ambush at Gladden Fields and journey to Imladris, and the history of his friend whom Isildur ordered to flee with him.
Fëanor shrugged, studying the contents of his wine glass. “Something must be done about that house. It will fall down eventually.” “It does not follow that it must be you that tears it down single-handedly. Are you sure you do not want help?” “It’s not as though I…
Holiday Party
No matter if you're in the Northern or Southern hemisphere, it's a time of year to think about holidays. Whether you're bundling up in blankets or slipping a swimsuit into your suitcase, we invite you to an SWG holiday party! Read more ...
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.
Bilbo, the strange old hobbit with the wandering feet, senses something special in young Frodo the first time he sees the lad; as they become close, they find in each other a cameraderie not well understood by other hobbits. Five poignant moments between Bilbo and Frodo Baggins over the course…
A Chieftain is dead. And whilst the events surrounding his death are unclear, a son tries to come to terms with his loss.
Around the World and Web
Scribbles and Drabbles 2026
Scribbles & Drabbles is a fic and art exchange with a minimum word count of 100 words.
Russingon Week 2026
A Tumblr week event focusing on the relationship between Maedhros and Fingon.
Boromir Week 2026
If you are Boromir girlies/gents/stans/simps, then this event is for you! So, come join us, and bring your fanfiction, art, gifs, moodboards, and headcanons that highlight everything you love about our Captain of Gondor!
Silmarillion Epistolary Week 2026
Silmarillion Epistolary Week is a Tumblr challenge dedicated to creating fanworks to tell the story of the Silmarillion in the style of an epistolary novel.
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.
My own idea is about fathers and sons, but I couldn't resist reading yours first and chancing to spoil my own idea! :D I find Maedhros's relationship with Feanor endlessly fascinating. (Well, all of the sons, but I have a soft spot for Mae, as you know.) I like how you illustrate his transition across the years here; we see things much the same in this regard. I wonder what comes after the last? Do you see that as the final stage for Maedhros? (No, I'm not asking you to turn it into a double drabble. Just curious. ;)
No. It is not the end for me. I simply made it to the immediate prelude to the swearing of the Oath. I would see Losgar as cauysing a further shift, not mention the years he spent in M-e. (Not surpised it seems much like your concept, since those early years for me were so influenced by AMC.)
This gave me a good look "behind-the-scenes" for Maitimo and what he thinks about his formidable Atar. Amazing to see how his perception changed through the years but the strong love is still there.
My favorite line is "I decided that I did not want to make the same arrogant mistakes that you had made."
I think you were able to "explain" in very few words the motivation behind Maitimo's decisions in Beleriand. Thanks for sharing.
You say you don't do drabbles well, or write to prompts well, but this is beautifully done and gives a lot of insight into the father/son relationship between Maedhros and Feanor.
I already squeed about this at your LJ, but I do love the form and execution of this form. It has a unique feel to it, especially the pacing is well done. Through this drabble you can just sense how Maedhros grows to an elf who is about to become a role model himself, making up his own mind as his view on his father changes. This is a fine character piece Oshun!
You've captured a timelessness -- a universal quality -- in this ficlet that speaks not only to Maedhros' relationship with Fëanor, but to many children who discover that their mothers and fathers are only too human yet defend them all the same. Very nice!
Hey, thanks! You are the only person who saw or mentioned the generalization on the transformation that takes place in one's perception of parents and early role models in general. (Of course, having Feanor as a father would rank as a somewhat unique experience.)
Comments on To My Father
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.