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.
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…
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.
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.
“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…
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.
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.
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.
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?
…
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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
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.
Oh, I really like this! I saw the title in my email alerts earlier today, from Ao3, and had been looking forward to reading it from that alone.
Your Finrod is lovely here, especially in how much he echoes the other Noldor like Fëanor. He might not be as reknowned in crafts as them, but he is just as prideful in his work when he's finished, whether that's wise or not.
Thanks so much! I love to think about Finrod as being very much of a Noldo. He might have a grandmother who is Vanyarin and mother who is Telerin, but his deeds and his work represent for me the people he helped lead to M-e. I imagine his marvelous cave city designed and fashioned in a manner that is quinessentially Noldorin. (I know he was influenced by Menegroth also, but I imagine his stonework to have a different character than descriptions of that city.) Also, I cannot forget that Tolkien always referred to him was one of the greatest Princes of the Noldor. So, of course, he takes a Noldorin pride in his work in my interpretation. I get a big kick out of writing Finrod as not quite as totally perfect as some fanfic writers characterize him. (I really love him a lot, which moves me to humanize him!)
Thanks again for reading and letting me know how it struck you.
I loved the intimacy between Galadriel and Finrod and their familiar banter. (Finrod is so adorable!) Galadriel seems only a tad aloof here and not as remote as I think of her. As usual I find your characterizations brilliant and the tone of this fic is so hopeful and exciting! I really enjoyed this.
Oh, thanks so much, Jenni! I love to do family interactions. I grew up among seven siblings, so I like to think I have the background for it!
I love Finrod and Galadriel together, so I enjoyed writing them. No one but an older brother could tease her the way he does. That in and of itself humanizes her.
What a charming little scene with the two siblings! I love that Finrod (he is adorable here) teases his sister and she pays his back. Lovely story :D Thank you!
Comments on Finrod Fashions a World
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.