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.
First of all, I love that introductory verse. I got all caught up in that poem when I doing the Tolkien seafarer stuff a couple of years ago.
I love the seaport introductory business--I love seaports in general! And Círdan expected a storm, but getting an old friends in a very hawt human form.
“Ossë, I might have known it was you from your grand entrance. I hope the storm will not catch any other ships coming in unawares.”
“Do not worry. It has largely blown itself out and there are no other ships nearby. I made sure of that before I set sail.”
Like, actually, he made the storm! Great touch.
I love the way you write Círdan and I am very attached to Osse also and his very special relationship with the Teleri.
Very happy also that it has a sweet and fluffy ending. I like the fact that Osse uses more than one human-modeled corporeal form! That is very cute and playful of him. It is also cute how Círdan takes it in stride.
I've always loved that poem, and many others from that era. I thought it fit the theme of the story pretty well too, Cirdan coming to terms with his past and finally able to find some peace. The bustling seaport is always a great image so that was fun to write as well. Thanks for your comments about Cirdan. I'm not, like, super into the character but when I read this prompt I knew just what I wanted to do. It seemed so perfect for the pairing. It's also fun to play with the look of the Maia since, in my world anyway, they can choose a form like we'd choose an outfit. I'm a sucker for a happy ending so you knew these two would get one. Cirdan was around a long time and he deserves a day at the beach once in awhile. Heck, we all do. Thanks not only for your sweet comments but for the beta. You're always there for me and I appreciate it.
This is so beautifully written that it soars to a whole new level for me. The descriptions are gorgeous and bring such life to everything in the story: the characters, places and ideas. I've always wondered how the Maiar and Eldar could experience love together and loved the idea of it. You've written about it more eloquently than anything I've before read.
The little added things are delightful: the mention of refugees and the truth of what they bring; the gentle humour in things like Cirdan's almost loss of control when he accepts Osse's offer and in Osse's changing appearances which almost frighten him.
This story was a truly awesome read; I was so blown away by it!
Thanks so much for your kind comments, Jenni. I always enjoy writing unconventional pairings so it's satisfying to know this relationship reads well and that you enjoyed it. Thanks also for mentioning the little touches about the refugees and the rest. I wanted the setting to seem plausible but still feel like a fantasy. I'm thrilled with this review and so glad you like the story.
I stumbled on your fic while looking for Círdan inspiration and I'm, well, let's just say my idea of him has been utterly refreshed by this!
What a wonderful experience for both of them. And both of them so curious, and sweetly excited yet with an underlying nervousness (despite Ossë's flamboyant displays!).
The worldbuilding info as well as the little details that built their personalities made the climax all the more enjoyable for me.
The image of Ossë pouring tea and eating cakes, savouring every moment in his fana carries a unique sensuality all of its own.
And the thoughts shared on love and friendship, joy and longing are just so relatable.
Oh, there's just so much to enjoy about this fic! Thank you.
Thank you so much, Anérea. It’s always a compliment to know a story has given the reader a a take on a character they really enjoy. It’s always interesting and fun to write about the relationships between Tolkien’s characters and I enjoy the Maia for their otherworldly abilities and attitudes.
I’m happy you enjoyed the world building, details and descriptions. I’ve always romanticized the sea a bit myself so writing about it is always a joy.
This story is kind of a follow up to my story Hearts Like the Sea where Cirdan and Thingol meet and fall in love. That’s why Cirdan is pining for him here.
I really appreciate your comments and appreciate you sharing them. It’s a real treat.
Oooh! Thanks for mentioning Hearts Like The Sea—I was wondering whether the mentions in here hinted at events detailed elsewhere. I'll look it up and bookmark it.
Getting into the mind of a maia is endlessly fascinating for me, if ultimately not entirely possible for us humans. And I really like the way you reversed this, when Ossë says he has no way of knowing whether what he feels is what the Elves feel.
I'm also a total waterbaby and sea lover, so your description of their union Ossëstyle really did it for me!
You’re welcome and I hope you enjoy that one as well.
The Maia are interesting to write about. I don’t think they can ever fully understand what others feel, being spiritual beings with a completely different perspective but I like to think that’s why they find the Elves so fascinating.
“I'm also a total waterbaby and sea lover, so your description of their union Ossëstyle really did it for me!”
Comments on In the Heart of the Storm
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.