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.
A series of half-drabbles using the one word prompts for the March/April 2025 Birthday Bash Challenge, looking at the perception of time through the eyes of Maiar (in general), Maedhros (specifically), and Aragorn and Arwen (specifically).
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.
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…
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.
Very, very funny piece. I recommend that people read it more than once, however. Every time I look at it I find a new double entendre. I'll refrain from listing my favorites here so as not to spoil finding them for others. (I thnk you need to write an entry for the "stereotypes" prompt as well. You clearly have a feel for it.)
Thanks, Oshun. You're always so good to read and beta and encourage my silliness. I'm looking at that stereotypes prompt right now. Nothing comes to mind at the moment but I'll see what I can do. :-)
You had me at nosegay of flowers! This is hilarious! Very wrong on so many levels ... but hilarious nonetheless. :D Also, congrats for being maybe the only writer to ever make me feel sorry for Namo!
Poor Namo, can't even get a break when he takes a break. lol Thanks for your comments, Dawn. I figure even a big ol' doomsayer like Namo would enjoy a walk in the woods from time to time. Maybe not this walk...
No wonder he barely gets out his halls, hehe all that commentary! I think my most fav bit was this:
The trees all stood silent, waving their branches nonchalantly. Then he noticed one branch seemed to be pointing at the tree next to it. He stood in front of the tree, glowering.
*wipes away some laughing tears* What a visua, although that last line is precious as well!
Thanks, Rhapsody. I'm glad it made you laugh. I visualize this stuff as I'm writing and it makes me smile to think of Namo in these situations too. *grin*
This worked so well for me. Portraying a less-than-dignified Vala of Doom makes great reading, especially because he seems to be so affected by what the trees say about him. ;-)
Ahahahahaha! Naughty trees and fountain! Hmm. But fountain? Could it be Ulmo playing a trick on his little brother? LOL A good light piece! The trees reminded me of the Ents, by the way. The mental picture I got from the scene where they dipped their roots into the water made me laugh out loud!
I never saw the Lord of Mandos as... what the trees and the fountain described him to be. LOL It was refreshing! Although It made me roll my eyes too. I was surprised when you described Irmo as having woods too, not only gardens, but that is beside the point.
What did you mean with the dining room, though? I don't understand...
Comments on Sporting Woods
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.