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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!

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SWG News

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.

Instadrabbling Sessions for April, May, and June
Instadrabbling continues on the first Saturday of each month on our Discord server.

New Challenge: Famous Last Words
For our March challenge, our moderators will assign you a famous last line to use as a prompt.

Known Site Issues

New & Updated Fanworks

[Writing] Til We're on the Other Side by StarSpray

It was only the second time Finwë had come out foraging with them, and of course this would happen—of course the Hunter would come, the Dark Rider on his steed with its terrible, heavy footfalls, and the deep-throated laughter that held no mirth, only malice. 


In the dark…

[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] Hill and Water Under Sky by StarSpray

a collection of drabbles and mini ficlets in the meanwhile the world goes on 'verse that aren't long enough to stand on their own

[Writing] The Long Arm of the Law by Elrond's Library

Turgon cannot be above the law. 

[Writing] Despair and Shadows by octopus_fool

Haleth leaves to find her brother, even though her father does not permit her to.

[Writing] In Continuance of Me... by Ellie

King Finwë of the Noldor was not the only one who died that day.

[Artwork] More than Memory by StarSpray

"In sorrow we must go, but not in despair. Behold! we are not bound for ever to the circles of the world, and beyond them is more than memory." - The Return of the King


 


Stitched for the Famous Last Words challenge for the prompt: "And with that, they stepped into…

Current Challenge

Everyman
Create a fanwork about an ordinary character in the legendarium using a quote about an unnamed character as inspiration. Read more ...

Random Challenge

Bestiary of Arda
Choose a prompt from our "bestiary" of music and images of animals found in Arda. Read more ...

New in References

Fandom Draws the Line: Fanworks, AI, and Resistance by Dawn Felagund, Grundy

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.

Grief, Grieving, and Permission to Mourn in the "Quenta Silmarillion" by Dawn Walls-Thumma

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.

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.

Featured Themed Collection

Beyond the Silmarillion

[Writing] Bar-en-Eladar by Gabriel

Out of the shadow, light is born anew.


A Chieftain is dead. And whilst the events surrounding his death are unclear, a son tries to come to terms with his loss.

[Writing] Why did Éowyn ask Faramir if he'd rather have a "woman of the race of Númenor"? by Quente

For most of my life, when reading Lord of the Rings, I read it through the perspective of Gandalf's words about Éowyn, that she'd spent years trapped as a caregiver, watching the realm she love fall from honor into disgrace.


But what if Éowyn was also a student of history? 


…

[Writing] here you will dwell, bound to your grief by Elrond's Library

Arwen grieves, and loves.

Around the World and Web

Angbang Week 2026
Angbang Week is a tumblr event focusing on the relationship between Morgoth and Sauron, running from May 5-11, 2026

Gondor Week 2026
A Tumblr week event focusing on the history of the realm of Gondor.

Crablor Day
A day dedicated to everyone's favourite warcriminal crustacean - April 26, 2026

April/May Teitho Challenge
Teithio is running a prompt challenge around the theme of "heartbreak."

April Challenge Tolkien Short Fanworks
Tolkien Short Fanworks is running a challenge around the theme of "fools," "foolishness," or "being fooled."

View all Around the World and Web announcements.

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Bedtime Stories by Anérea  

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Fanwork Notes

Listed vaguely in in-universe chronological order, this selection ranges from post-creation to the Third Age.

Podfics run from a few minutes to over an hour. Check individual podfics for ratings and warnings.

I'll probably keep adding to this list as I come across more.

For ziggy, who thought this would be a good idea. Thanks for your enjoyment and encouragement!

Fanwork Information

Summary:

Just a few of my favourite podfics that I've found soothing for bedtime (or middle of the night, or any time really) listening.

Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Narvi, Belladonna Took Baggins, Gandalf, Bungo Baggins, Original Character(s), Original Female Character(s), Elwing, Eärendil, Olwë, Númenóreans, Dúnedain, Elrond, Celebrían, Maglor, Maedhros, Celegorm, Caranthir, Mandos, Frodo, Samwise Gamgee, Narvi, Aulë, Ilmarë, Thuringwethil, Fox, River-woman

Major Relationships: Celebrimbor/Narvi, Celebrían/Elrond, Ilmarë/Thuringwethil, Daeron/Maglor, Eärendil/Elwing, Caranthir/Original Character

Genre: Fanwork Collection, Recommendation List

Challenges: In Rare Form, Jubilee

Rating: Creator Chooses Not to Rate

Warnings: Check Notes for Warnings

Posted on 11 January 2025 Updated on 12 January 2025

This fanwork is a work in progress.

A Promise of Lightning (read by Chestnut_pod, written by The Wavesinger)

The story of Ilmarë and Thuringwethil, from the beginning to the beginning, again. 

Length: 40:53

Major Characters: Ilmarë, Thuringwethil
Major Relationships: Ilmarë/Thuringwethil
Rating: Adult     Warnings: Sexual Content (Moderate), Violence (Mild)

Alternative on AO3

Paper (written and read by Dawn Felagund)

Curufin escapes to the realms of fantasy to escape the pressures of his family and discovers the thrill of first love.

Major Characters: Curufin, Unnamed Canon Character
Major Relationships: Curufin/Unnamed Canon Character
Rating: Teens
Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild)

Beyond the Western Shore (read by Anérea, written by StarSpray)

In her wanderings through Aman, Minyelmë comes to the farthest shore.

Length: 3:10

Major Characters: Original Female Character
Rating: General
Warnings: None

Hearken Still Unsated (written and read by polutropos)

When the Noldor return to Middle-earth to make war on Morgoth, only rumours reach Menegroth of their reasons for coming, but Doriath's minstrel experiences their loss and longing through his connection to Music and the gift of his Queen. Years later, he is sent to the Feast of Reuniting and meets the Elf whose grief he felt. A story about the Eldar returning home, their connection to the land and to each other, and their relationship to Music and fate, love and free will. 

Length: just over 1.5 hours

Major Characters: Daeron, Maglor, Melian
Major Relationships: Daeron/Maglor, Daeron & Melian
Rating: Adult 
Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild)

No Traveler Returns (read by Tanis, writen by IgnobleBard)

Namo confronts a newly dead Elf.

Length: 8:12

Major Characters: Mandos, Original Character
Rating: General
Warnings: None

Original text

Lake Helevorn: A Summer Romance (read by Anérea, written by Himring)

Uncanonical take on Caranthir's canonical wife: in himring!verse she's not an elf.

Length: 4:15

Major Characters: Caranthir, Original Female Character
Major Relationships: Caranthir/Original Female Character
Rating: Teens
Warnings: None

Unstrung (read by polutropos, written by tehta)

Right before the War of Wrath, Maglor explains himself.

Length: 18:36

Major Characters: Maglor, Maedhros, Celegorm
Major Relationships: Maedhros & Maglor, Elrond & Elros & Maglor
Rating: Teen
Warnings: None

All They Had to Lend (read by Chestnut_pod, written by gogollescent)

From a few hundred feet up, the swan ships could be seen to hesitate.

Length: 18:18

Major Characters: Elwing, Eärendil, Olwë
Major Relationships: Elwing/Eärendil
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: None

What Lies Beyond The End (read by Anerea, written by Melesta)

"The Silmaril falls slowly, so slowly, as if taking its time to caress the weightlessness of Ulmo’s waters. Does it seek relief also, Maglor wonders, to be free at last of all the hands that lusted after its blessed shine?"

Maglor casts his Silmaril into the Sea.

Length: 6:18

Major Characters: Maglor
Rating: General
Warnings: None

Alternative on AO3

Three times, the forge (read by Chestnut_pod, written by LiveOakWithMoss)

Celebrimbor kisses Narvi. Narvi kisses Celebrimbor. Somehow, Celebrimbor is still perplexed.

Length: 8:35

Major Characters: Celebrimbor, Narvi
Major Relationships: Celebrimbor/Narvi
Rating: Teens
Warnings: Sexual Content (Mild)

Alternative on AO3

Those Who Have Dwelt In Darkness (read by the_dragongirl, written by LadyBrooke)

Narvi is hesitant to put his trust in others to make their weapons for the Final Battle.
Aulë sees too many similarities to past events.

Length: 8:55

Major Characters: Narvi, Aulë
Rating: General
Warnings: None

Stay, Forever (read by polutropos, written by Melesta)

The first snow brings bittersweet memories for Elrond. Through remembrance and song, he reveals a feeling that has been budding in his heart for a long time.

Length: 9:26

Major Characters: Elrond, Celebrían, Maglor
Major Relationships: Celebrían/Elrond, Elrond & Maglor
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: None

kâtha batîna lôkhî (read by Chestnut_pod, written by vardasvapors (cynewulf))

For even after the ruin the hearts of the Dúnedain were still set westwards; and though they knew indeed that the world was changed, they said: 'Avallónë is vanished from the Earth and the Land of Aman is taken away, and in the world of this present darkness they cannot be found. Yet once they were, and therefore they still are, in true being and in the whole shape of the world as at first it was devised.'

The title translates from Adûnaic as "all roads are bent".

Length: 11:51

Characters: Númenoreans, Original Characters
Rating: Not Rated
Warnings: None

Concerning Hobbits (read by Thimblerig, written by WerewolvesAreReal)

As in all matters, the hobbits handled their Creation quietly, and this is because they were not created at all.

Length: 16:25

Major Characters: Frodo Baggins, Sam Gamgee
Rating: General
Warnings: None

My Adventure, by Belladonna Baggins née Took (written and read by Thimblerig)

Gandalf exclaimed once: 'That I should live to be 'Good morninged' by a son of Belladonna Took!' Bilbo's mum has a story to tell and this is it. Holidays by the Sea, Elves, and much Falling in the Water.

Length: approximately 100 minutes

Characters: Belladonna Took, Gandalf, Bungo Baggins, Original Characters
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: None

A Vulpine Gentleman With Business of His Own (read by Chestnut_pod, written by bunn)

A brief interlude in the life of a fox with a job to do.

Length: 5:14

Major Characters: Fox Passing Through the Wood On Business of His Own, Riverwoman
Rating: General Audiences
Warnings: None

Almacombë Lairesto: A Tolkien Poetry Podfic Anthology by Chestnut_pod (various authors)

From Nortonion, an anthology to keep. This highly anticipated first edition of collected poetic works from the Western Lands of Arda features 13 poets, 27 poems, and innovative audio formatting. The First Edition of The Nortonion Almacombë Lairesto is an excellent tool for teachers and an unmatched resource for students.

Includes:
Art in the Ordinary by lferion
Song of Lake Linaewen by Zdenka
Alchemy by Lady_Branwyn
Fragment: In the long days of Darkness by losselen (zambla)
Gil-Galad Was No Elven-king by kimikocha
To Drain a Lake by Himring
A Song for Goldberry by KhamulTheEasterling
Gross Reflections (On the Fifth Battle) by lferion
The Shieldmaiden and the Witch-king by Zdenka
Black and White by Lingwiloke
The north-march by losselen (zambla)
Three Bredlik poems by Himring
For which we were created by LiveOakWithMoss
Grey and White Wings by lferion
Rían at the Hill of Slain by Zdenka
Cirdan by primsong
Gacela of the stolen sun by losselen (zambla)
Hope Across Helcaraxe by orphan_account
To an absent lover by Himring
F*ck Me When the War Is Done, and Other Poems by Ninnachel by amyfortuna (elwinfortuna)
Erebor Waits by lferion
Middle-earth Poetry by Zdenka
Pippin in Gondor by primsong
Two poems for Daeron by losselen (zambla)
Song for a dark road by Judin
Song of the Laughing Maiden by Zdenka
Paths of Story by Himring

Length: 56:19

Characters: various canon and original characters
Rating: General Audiences to Mature
Warnings: Major Character Death (in some poems)


Red clouds framing a starry nightsky

daughterofshadows

1 year 3 months ago

Permalink

I'll have to check these out…

I'll have to check these out next time I'm looking for something to listen to. Thanks for taking the time to put this together!

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Anérea (Laiquendi snuggled in a tree)

Anérea

10 months 2 weeks ago

Permalink

In reply to I'll have to check these out… by daughterofshadows

♡

Thanks! I hope you enjoy them as much as I do! 

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A close-up shot of auburn hair in a French braid.

Chestnut_pod

10 months 2 weeks ago

Permalink

<3

I am honored to be of help in such an important quest as that for sleep!

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Anérea (Laiquendi snuggled in a tree)

Anérea

10 months 2 weeks ago

Permalink

In reply to <3 by Chestnut_pod

♡

Thanks so much for all your lovely podfics — you really do podfics so beautifully! (There's a lot more ofyours that live on my phone, I just felt better to make a small selection here.)

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