New Challenge: Everyman
Create a fanwork about an ordinary character in the legendarium using a quote about an unnamed character as inspiration.
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: 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.
[Writing] The Mirror Crack'd by AdmirableMonster
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…
[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] 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] The Endless Years by Elrond's Library
Elwing reckons with the passage of time.
[Writing] a life freely given, a favor returned by skywardstruck
Finrod and Bëor stop for a while on the road to Nargothrond to rest. The bodies of the Secondborn often grow weary, and Finrod laments, massaging Bëor's back and renewing his beloved's vigor with the work of his hands. But Finrod has other burdens of his own, Bëor soon discovers, returning…
[Writing] dye me, nocturne by skywardstruck
Maglor without Maedhros, Daeron without Lúthien. Alone, they are nothing, but together, they can be something more.
Where do you turn, when you have no one else left?
Written for Tolkien Reverse Summer Bang 2023, featuring artwork by athlai.
[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
Everyman
Create a fanwork about an ordinary character in the legendarium using a quote about an unnamed character as inspiration. Read more ...
Kings & Queens
Create a fanwork about a king or queen from the legendarium. 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.
[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.
[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?
…
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."
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
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