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 ...
Gift of a Story
Create a fanwork as a gift to show thanks and appreciation for someone in the fandom. 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.
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Comment by Himring for Lúthien Tinúviel, Part 1
Great to see the first part of your bio on Luthien!
Well done! I like the points you are making here and the quotations you picked.
Re: Comment by Himring for Lúthien Tinúviel, Part 1
Thanks so much for reading and letting me know, Himring! I hope the next part is satisfying. This one has been harder than I ever expected!
Comment by Lilith for Lúthien Tinúviel, Part 1
Terrific worK on a very challenging topic.
Re: Comment by Lilith for Lúthien Tinúviel, Part 1
Oh. ooops! I forgot that I am not getting notifications of comments these days! Sorry I did not thank you. It took a lot out of me. I was pretty much warming up to the topic and no longer being totally neurotic about it by the time I got part one done. Now I have to get back in saddle and see where I find myself within part 2! Thanks so much for the support!
Comment by Himring for Lúthien Tinúviel, Part 2
I like this bio and your thoughts on Luthien's character!
And that extended trailer is fun.
(Such hard work, a three-parter like this--thank you for doing it and sharing it!)
Re: Comment by Himring for Lúthien Tinúviel, Part 2
Thank you so much for reading it. You are so kind. Despite all my drama, I have enjoyed every minute of it! (Great story!)
Comment by IgnobleBard for Lúthien Tinúviel (1)
You really outdid yourself on this one. This story is so fragmented and complicated it's s difficult to detail But you managed it beautifully. Ive always loved Huan with his talking and prophesies and wolf killing. But, of course, Luthien is the star of the tale. I regret that Tolkien pulled back from the magical, fairytale elements in his published writings. I like that aspect.
I always enjoy the sources you pull for these bios and the various elements of the story you give me new perspectives on.
Re: Comment by IgnobleBard for Lúthien Tinúviel (1)
Thank you so much! I am so glad you enjoyed it. Thank you also for copy checking various drafts. The length of it seemed overwhelming at times.
<i>I regret that Tolkien pulled back from the magical, fairytale elements in his published writings. I like that aspect.</i>
Those are unique. I would have liked a little more internal point of view and perhaps more dialogue. But honestly, if he'd have written it in my favorite style it would have been an epic novel. It's a great story and the more I read its component parts, the more character depth one sees in it. Even in our favorite dog! I am really happy I had the chance to write it.
Are you there for me if I decide to write Beren? Then I would have full set. Already have Thingol and Melian.
Comment by IgnobleBard for Lúthien Tinúviel (2)
Am I there for you? Always! I can't wait to read about Beren and the haunted forest.
And isn't the Beren and Luthien story an epic novel now? Christopher Tolkien published it fairly recently, right?
Re: Comment by IgnobleBard for Lúthien Tinúviel (2)
I wonder if anyone has written fanfic with that!
Beren and Luthien is like a History of Middle-earth book except it covers only one subject and is not definitive in that case--very partial. Cherry picks items to include. It is required reading for me, but I would not highly recommend it for others--too watered-down for hardcore geeks and too nit-picky to be a popular read. And never by any stretch of the imagination is it novelistic. It is not organized like Children of Hurin, which does more or less read like a novel. I liked the Beren and Luthien book because it was fun to follow Christopher Tolkien's lead and see what he might include and where. I have been told the illustrations are good but I cannot see them. Too faded and desaturated for my failing eyesight. (I did not like that style when I was fully sighted! Give me some color and definition, please!)
Comment by IgnobleBard for Lúthien Tinúviel (3)
Beren and Luthien would have been the story to novelise, what a missed opportunity.
If you ever run across a Beren in the haunted forest fanfic please let me know. I'd love to read it.
i love book illustrations that look like they were done in the old days (which goes back a ways at my age), but I don't like when they look faded. I'm a fan of color too.
Re: Comment by IgnobleBard for Lúthien Tinúviel (3)
You would be a good person to write one!
Comment by Lilith for Lúthien Tinúviel, Part 3
I'm commenting on this one, though I might comment on any number of others. I remember being very grateful because of what I had been writing at the time that you were completing this particular bio. I think, for that story, I read this one, Celebrimbor's, Thingol's, Galadriel, Huan, and more, simply to be sure I was on the right track to my own apostacy. If I have a grasp on any of those characters, it is due in part to you. If I don't, which I may not, I may have veered closer to the correct direction as a result.
These are informative, amazingly well researched, entertaining and very clearly written. They are definitely a labor of love and I appreciate them and you greatly.
Re: Comment by Lilith for Lúthien Tinúviel, Part 3
That is very, very kind of you. That's exactly how we originally conceptualized that they might be used. To enable writers to do their creative stuff! Apostacy is more fun when it has some seeds in canon! Right?