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.
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.
"The Fëanorian Zine" Available to Read and Download
We are pleased to be able to offer "The Fëanorian Zine" to read and download on the SWG for free.
Call for Artists for the 2026 Challenge Stamps
We are soliciting help from artists who want to help create the stamps we award to challenge participants.
[Writing] In Early Spring by Serinquanion
In what Maedhros was re-embodied early and was sent back to Middle Earth on his volition with Glorfindel.
This isn't about what happened right then but years after Fall of Sauron when he still refused to return to Valinor.
He found a strange sapling at the shore of what remains of…
[Writing] Umnenyalië by Serinquanion
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…
[Writing] Winter Warmth by Serinquanion
A winter night in Himring. But inside the quarters where fire blazed in hearth was warmer, and not only from the fire or quilt.
[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] Who Will Hear Me? by XirinOfArvada
A lonely elf finds a flute half buried beneath the sand and wonders if its owner will hear him when he calls.
[Writing] Loyal, Faithful by Himring
Late in the Second Age, one of the Faithful reflects critically on past developments. (Free verse.)
[Writing] East Away! by Flora-lass
Aldarion storms off towards Middle-earth. For the Title Track 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 ...
Season's Greetings
Create a fanwork in which one (or several) of the holidays of Middle-earth plays a role. Read more ...
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.
Twilight, Child Of: Comparisons Between Tinúviel, Lómion, and Undómiel by JazTheBard
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.
The Aromantic in Tolkien by daughterofshadows
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.
[Writing] here you will dwell, bound to your grief by Elrond's Library
Arwen grieves, and loves.
[Writing] Faramir's Verse by losselen
“Come, Faramir. Let us not stand in ceremony. I think words are due between you and I, and not only those between a King and his Steward.”
Faramir has speech with Gandalf and his King.
[Writing] In a Hole in the Ground... by StarSpray
“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.
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.
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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