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…
Rescued from a brutal Angband hunt, an ex-thrall with a strange and powerful artifact embedded in his spine is brought to Himring, for it is one of the only places in Beleriand which welcomes such folk. Though he has no memories of his life before, Anniavas slowly becomes accustomed to his new…
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.
Michiru, this is beautifully written! You capture so well the darkness and despair and bitter heroism of this time; the scenes of the kings abdicating their crowns were just stunningly written. I hope you will continue this; I am looking forward to reading more. :)
Okay, so that's three paragraphs of nonsensical fangirling spazzing I've deleted now. I think I'm slightly more in control. Must try not to frighten the locals away.
I can't say how much your review means to me. Actually, it's better for you if I don't. Three paragraphs of fangirling. You do not want to subject yourself to that. Trust me. There is absolutely no way I could not finish continue this story arc; the poor Noldor are already clamoring for me to fix the mess I plan to the plot demands I make of their lives. The next chapter will be out as soon as Arafinwë stops being a brat and cooperates with me. (Arafinwë would like to point out that it's actually Fëanáro who's been giving me trouble. Arafinwë can get over it because he was the one who decided to try to talk to Fëanáro. Never mind that he actually had to in order to advance the plot. It isn't fair. Can't I write a story about Fëanáro without him actually in it? Tolkien did it with Sauron... No, you're right, it wouldn't work. Oh, well. They will obey me in the end... yes, that does mean you, Mr. Curufinwë Fëanáro.)
Ahem. No, apparently I'm not in control. Thank you so much! Really. Inane rambling aside, I'm truly ecstatic that you enjoyed this. :D
Well, you know I love your stories. This one was good to have read previously and then re-read after a little time as I noticed much more detail - the 'death scene' was well written in that it was actually quite shocking and it was very easy for me to put myself into the characters thoughts.
I have so many questions I want to ask given that the events are unfolding so very differently from cannon but I won't ask as I'm sure all will be revealed in time!
Thank you! That death scene was awful to write- as someone who knew what was going to happen, I kept stalling, and Finarfin was feeling much more nervous than he had any reason to. I had to go back and be Finarfin, not the all-knowing author. It was difficult. (I had to trash all my give-away foreshadowing! I'll have to pay more attention in the future.)
Hopefully all will be revealed- if these Feanorians will cooperate. No, it's not even just the Feanorians; the Finwions are being just as annoying, too.
Blimey! That was horrible to read - um, in a good way, though. The death scene was not cheesy, but shocking - I can see this is story that's going to continue shocking (and intriguing) me. Great writing - very evocative of the dangerous atmosphere that must be pervading Valinor during this story. I'm curious to learn more about how this AU works. For example, you referred to the late Senate leader Manwe - so he's dead? And where does Melkor figure into this? What happened to Indis and Fingolfin? What's going to happen to Fingon, Turgon, Anaire, etc? Will this story make me dislike Feanor even more? (Probably!)
*clears throat* Well... um... spoilers? Indis! There we go; Indis! I can tell you about her. She's... as far as I know... not in Tirion. (But maybe she lied to me about that...)
The next chapter should hopefully answer... let's see... two of your questions? As for the others... one won't be answered until... the sequel? Or even the third book? Hopefully- no, definitely the sequel. I think. And the other is coming up in a few chapters. Maybe chapter three? (chapter four, counting the prologue)
I like Feanor, personally... *except for when he refuses to speak his lines*
I'm glad it was horrible in a good way! You scared me a little with that... but I'm very pleased- two people now have told me that death scene was shocking and not cheesy, which... is a good thing.
Updates............................................................. Does it help to know that I work on the next chapter in my dubious spare time?
Thank you for your review. Erm. (Wow, formal much?) No, really, thank you. :)
Oh wow, this is very intense! I'm looking forward further chapters, I'm really curious to know what happens, especially how Fingolfin's family is taking things. (Not well, I should think.)
Thanks very much! I'm actually struggling with ways to do that-- since I'd set up Finarfin and his family as my POV characters. I think I've found a way to do it, but we'll see...
This is wonderfully written! The intrigue, the darkness of the events... It's very edgy and not at all overdone. And the characterisation feels so natural. I even felt captivated in the scenes with Ingwë and Olwë - two characters who do not usually hold my attention! And Arakáno's death...it took me several long moments to read those paragraphs, because I kept thinking "oh no, oh no...". Brilliant execution of dramatic irony and suspense. Well done all around! I really hope more is to come.
Thank you very much for your kind words! It's always great to hear that someone enjoyed this piece; it was one of my first Silmarillion fanfics. Though other projects are taking top priority right now, I fully intend to return to this story and finish it; there's definitely much more to come.
Oh wow! I'm loving all the political intrigue! I really like the quotes you have interspersed with the story, too; they're a nice frame for what's going on.
I like how everyone seems detached and dazed, to different degrees, and how even Feanaro's sons seem a bit off balance with everything thats going on.
The scenes with Arakano's death and Arafinwe's reaction were really poignant!
Ahh, thank you for your kind words and your review! I'm very glacially continuing to work on this story, and it's nice to have the reminder that some folks out there are still interested in where it's going. Off-balance is a great way to describe the characters in this early part of the action.
Comments on Fly Away
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.