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
Back To The Future
This month's challenge asks you to put a character, culture, or place in Arda in the Seventh Age. When the Seventh Age actually is--is it right now? in the future? or was Tolkien totally wrong and it's actually passed?--is completely up to you. 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.
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.