New Challenge: Scavenger Hunt
In this Matryoshka-with-a-twist, you will solve clues that point you to the challenge prompts.
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.
[Writing] How Tolkien Presents Ordinary People in "The Silmarillion" by Dawn Felagund
Inspired by collecting the prompts for the Everyman challenge, this essay considers how ordinary people are subsumed and silenced in The Silmarillion, which begins a three-book arc that ends with the rise of the humble and ordinary.
[Writing] A Very Fire by Deborah Judge
Feanor and Fingolfin, from their youth to their fall.
"I will do this gladly," Fingolfin said, whispering into Feanor's mouth, grasping for reasons and sense. "Gladly, if it will bring peace between us. If it will end the madness."
"The madness will not end," Feanor…
[Writing] After the Kinslaying by Deborah Judge
A Teleri fishing boat captain turns to farming on abandoned Noldor lands after her ship is stolen. A Noldor farmer returns with Finarfin to find that his land belongs to the Teleri now.
[Writing] Add Another Stone by StarSpray
The thing about forgiveness, he thought, was that it was so much easier when the object of it was far away—or dead. It was so much easier to let it all go when those responsible were far away and unable to do any more harm.
[Writing] Blessed are the Leave-takers by Isilme_among_the_stars
As prince Curufinwë Fëanáro makes an historical speech from the high court of the King upon Túna, those at the back of the crowd strain to hear.
A silly little scene inspired by Monty Python's "Blessed are the Cheesemakers" scene from The Life of Brian, written for …
[Writing] I Sit and Think of Times There Were Before by Erdariel
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.
[Writing] Until the Stars are All Alight by Dagstjarna
Reembodied in Aman, Celebrimbor decides to return to Middle earth to help heal the darkness and hurt wrought by the ring.
Scavenger Hunt
Solves clues to find your prompts for this Matryoshka challenge. Read more ...
Lost Letters
A character discovers a long-lost letter and ... your fanwork tells the rest! Read more ...
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.
[Writing] Down the Long Years by Isilme_among_the_stars
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…
[Artwork] The Mirror of Galadriel by skywardstruck
Smoke rises from the Mirror, where the Lady of Lothlórien awaits to share its visions.
[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.
Week of Kiliel
A Tumblr event dedicated to the relationship between Kili and Tauriel.
Aspec Arda Week 2026
This week-long event celebrates asexual and aromantic spectrum interpretations and headcanons of Tolkien’s Legendarium.
April/May Teitho Challenge
Teithio is running a prompt challenge around the theme of "heartbreak."
Tolkien Reverse Summer Bang 2026
The Tolkien Reverse Summer Bang is back for another summer of collaboration between artists and writers!
I liked the focus on Tyelkormo and Macalaure here--they did not even have a dialogue together in the book and it was great to read about how they could possibly interact with each other. (In my personal "universe", I never did imagine either of them enjoying the metal smithing of their father.) And I agree that although they "excel" in their particular interests and are driven by the same fiery passion for those interests, they are the least like Fëanor.
I enjoyed reading this and was especially touched by how much their father's approval means to them. I could list a dozen things as to why they followed their Father and swore an Oath with him and his approval is one of the possible reasons.
Very, very clever and poignant. The two brothers couldn't be more different - but they're exactly the same when it comes to their difficult relationships with their brilliant, demanding father.
I really like this story. The following line, especially, struck a chord:
"I believe that I learned to name my emotions based on Macalaurë’s songs, for--according to Atar, anyway--I had trouble as a young child putting abstract thoughts into words."
I actually read this story a while ago, and that line's always stuck with me. It's just a really neat insight into someone's head, and one I can relate to.
I also really like how unintentional all this heartache is on Feanaro's part. He's just really not trying at all to be hurtful, and yet his sons are in tears over even seemingly small actions.
Anyway, I wanted to let you know I liked this, and a lot of your other stories as well, because I read something you posted on tumblr about how discouraging lack of reviews can be for some authors. I hadn't ever thought of it that way, so now I'm trying to review stories I read and go back and review some of the ones I remember enjoying. And since I like your stories, I figured I should definitey let you know.
Um. I'll stop babbling at you now. Great story! Thank you for writing it.
Thank you so much for reading and commenting! It's funny, in the context of the Tumblr conversation, because this is a story that's never gotten a lot of attention, comments-wise, and so I assumed was one of my weaker pieces. So I very much appreciate knowing that it did strike a chord for someone. :)
A lot of my Feanor stories are based a lot on my dad, who is likewise a perfectionist, not always the kindest in expressing himself, and rather cutting-edge in his skills, being trained as a printer/typesetter but an early adopter of computers and home computers specifically. I used to get scolded as a kid for choosing ugly fonts or not folding my handmade greeting cards correctly! I don't know that my dad, like Feanor, truly understood how miserable he made my sister and me sometimes. Perhaps that's why I've always related to the Feanorian boys. :)
Thank you again and best wishes for a happy New Year!
You write family dynamics so well! Another tale of feanorian brothers that I loved and found very realistic and well-done. We always end up loving in some manner those of our blood. I am glad that Maglor and Celegorm found a point of connection, even if it is one that brings them sadness. Great tale!
Thank you, Talullah! Family dynamics among the Finwions have rather become my bread and butter over the last decade. :D I'm glad this worked for you! In most of my other stories, Celegorm drives Maglor crazy (or they are just simply at odds with each other, when they are older), so they needed to have a pleasant moment for once. Thank you again for reading and commenting on my stories--I really appreciate it! :)
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Comments on In the Town Called Acceptance
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.