Mereth Aderthad is now just three weeks away, and we are excited to share the full calendar of events that weekend! The website has been updated to what will most likely be its final form before it switches over to the day-of-event program, and this includes the weekend schedule.

If you will be joining us in-person, we will gather on Friday evening at the North Beach in Burlington to watch the sunset together and get acquainted! Saturday, of course, is the event itself; register to join us in-person or online! And finally, on Sunday, we will have a create-in at 10:30 AM EDT that is open to both in-person and virtual participants. (Find this event in your timezone.)

If you will be joining virtually and would like to set up additional virtual events, both the SWG's Discord and Zoom are available options. Reply to this newsletter and we can discuss ideas!

One last housekeeping note: If you created a fanwork for the Mereth Aderthad zine, you will have received a final proof this week. If you are presenting or sharing a fanwork at the live event, you will have received a final check-in confirming your information and asking for any additional details that we need to move forward. If you think you should have received one (or more!) of these communications and did not, reply to this newsletter and let us know.

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.

The Silmarillion Writers' Guild Presents Mereth Aderthad 2025 - July 19, 2025, Burlington, VT and online - A celebration of creativity and scholarship inspired by the works of J.R.R. Tolkien. Registration is open!

New Fanworks

The Endless Years by by Elrond's Library [Writing]

Elwing reckons with the passage of time.

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dye me, nocturne by by skywardstruck [Writing]

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.

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a life freely given, a favor returned by by skywardstruck [Writing]

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 Finrod's favor in the best way he knows how.

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

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 woods near the Waters of Awakening, Finwë's brothers are taken.

In Valinor, when the Trees wither, Finwë is slain.

In the Fourth Age, things take place long thought impossible.

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

Turgon cannot be above the law. 

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Updated Fanworks

Despair and Shadows by by octopus_fool [Writing]

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

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Hill and Water Under Sky by by StarSpray [Writing]

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

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A Hundred Miles Through the Desert by by StarSpray [Writing]

“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 the other side of it was a larger party than Maglor had ever seen in Lórien—five figures sitting in the grass. Huan barked again, and they all looked up. “It seems everyone has come to fetch us home,” Maedhros said, laughing, as all their brothers scrambled to their feet.

After years in Lórien, Maglor and Maedhros are ready to return to their family and to make something new with their lives--but to move forward, all of Fëanor's sons must decide how, or if, they can ever reconcile with their father.

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Beyond the Silmarillion Fanworks

The Mirror of Galadriel by by skywardstruck [Artwork]

Smoke rises from the Mirror, where the Lady of Lothlórien awaits to share its visions.

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Bar-en-Eladar by by Gabriel [Writing]

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.

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Around the World and Web

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

Barduil Month 2026
A month-long Tumblr events all about the relationship between Thranduil and Bard the Bowman.

Tolkien Reverse Summer Bang 2026
The Tolkien Reverse Summer Bang is back for another summer of collaboration between artists and writers!

Leaf & Lore: A Tolkien Writing Month
Start a story, work on a WIP, finish a fic, dabble in drabbles, pen a poem, type a tale, or otherwise wrestle with words. Set your own goal: Leaf & Lore is all up to you.

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

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

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