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] 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] 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.
Everyman
Create a fanwork about an ordinary character in the legendarium using a quote about an unnamed character as inspiration. Read more ...
Sirens and Songstresses
Use a prompt by a female musical artist or a band with a female lead to create your fanwork. 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."
Oh, this is wonderful! I've been so bad at commenting on your whole series, but it's been such a delight to read over the last few, rather difficult, months, with the very regular updates. Your writing is so soothing, somehow, even when the subject-matter is anguished, with your beautiful descriptions of scenery and nature and the elements, and so many attempts at comfort. Thank you!
So, I'll try and do better at commenting on these challenge responses. I love the fact that you're producing letters from Feanor to all his sons, and thinking of all the different gifts he makes for them. And it says so much that he wants to send Curufin his imperfect attempts at gem-craft. I'm so glad Curufin eventually follows his heart and goes to see his father - he's been mourning for so long - and the reunion right at the end was lovely. These two really want things to be different this time around, and I hope they'll find it easier together, whatever anyone else thinks.
I really like this insight into Caranthir! How he loves butterflies and flowers and gardens, and loved Thargelion so much but didn't want to be a lord, and more than anything just wants to be a brother (as previously seen in his closeness to Maglor, as well as with Maedhros here). He seems so gentle - apart from when he's angry or feels inadequate.
I'm in awe of how much you write! Looking forward to more letters (although it sounds as though Celegorm may have disposed of his? :( )
I really enjoyed this quiet chapter, with its glimpse into the house in the woods, and the fact that the twins receive separate letters and gifts. It's interesting how Amrod at first isn't sure what to feel, but then starts thinking about seeking out his grandmother - and likes his gift, as Amras does, and appreciates what Feanor has remembered. I'm wondering if they might decide to reply to him?
(And it's great that Celegorm's letter and gift have been rescued...)
I love how calm and reasonable Amras is; how he thinks about everything his brothers did for him when he and Amrod were young, and how he appreciates never having been lonely; how he lets himself cry for a while, but then puts Feanor's gift on display and enjoys it. I'm so glad we get to see Celegorm's arrival, and the warm welcone and practical comfort he receives - Amras and Amrod truly seem to have found peace, and are able and willing to share it, which is such a relief - I love to think of them like this.
These have all be very beautiful to read. I know you were finding the gift for Celegorm hard to work out, but honestly this feels perfect.
Thank you! The problem I was running into with Celegorm is that he's known as a hunter and my mind kept going to thinks like hunting knives or something and I really didn't want Feanor to be making anything close to weaponry, lol. I'm glad the thing I settled on feels right. <3
Oh, poor Celegorm! This is powerful and painful - I feel so bad for him, with everything he's going through and struggling with; Maedhros and Maglor going away, and then actually reading Feanor's letter at last, and all those tears. I like how Feanor compares him to the moon - and the gift is lovely. I hope he can find that thing to focus on, to help him heal - and I really hope you'll write more about him!
You already know how much I liked the other chapters, I think!
I finally got back to Curufin, too, just in time, to catch up as you continue with the series!
It is great how well you managed to integrate those prompts; it feels very much like an integral part of the story you are telling about the brothers and (for want of a better work) their network.
Thank you! I already had this fic on my mind when I went looking through the prompts, and all the ones I picked really helped bring each of the chapters into focus as I wrote them.
It felt integral to me to write this fic just so I could figure out where everyone's at, and something of their individual relationships with Feanor, going into A Hundred Miles Through the Desert, and I'm glad it works for you as a reader as well! <3
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Comments on The Future's In Our Hands
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