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 ...
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.
Thank you! I did; I couldn't resist. (I really hope she doesn't disappoint in the movie.) It's a complete stand-alone. For some reason that I have yet to figure out even months later, the prompt combined with something I read in a magazine and out sprung the story. Though I'll probably end up using the Avarin communication network in something else; I like the idea too much to leave it alone.
Again this is such a wonderful and smooth read. I just love the differences between father and son, the strategic exchange of information and Maglor checking the room for anything that could help him if he will be attacked.
This was every bit as good as I expected it would be. It's great to have the occasional (additional) glimpse into Maglor's wandering, and even though you fitted in a lot of different elements, the story made for a fitting whole.
Thank you! I honestly worried-- even as I posted-- that the two halves were two separate stories rather than a unified whole. So to hear that you thought otherwise was wonderful.
This is a very plausible situation; Maglor would have every reason to worry that his presence among the Elves in the West would do more harm than good with Sauron arisen again. The dialogue between Thranduil and Maglor is great.
I really like this! It's an interesting look into Maglor's life in the Third Age. I like how even though he's mostly separated from the elves he still kind of keeps tabs on them, to know what's going on and how they're doing. The way he's always thinking about who he might run into and how to avoid that show how stressful that balance must be.
The interaction with Thranduil was interesting...there's definitely some hard feelings there, but Thranduil doesn't really dredge them up. Seeing Tauriel in the story was great!
Thank you so much! I really like the network the Elves have among the clans; it'll probably pop up in other stories of mine eventually. I tend to think the Avari are a bit more accepting, but Maglor's too much of a wanderer to feel comfortable settling down anywhere.
I think, after that long and having to deal diplomatically with people he doesn't like for the sake of his kingdom, Thranduil's more than able and willing to give Maglor a chance to explain himself and give him a chance to not cause trouble. I could not resist a Tauriel cameo despite this story being otherwise entirely bookverse.
Comments on In the Darkness
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.