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: Scavenger Hunt In this Matryoshka-with-a-twist, you will solve clues that point you to the challenge prompts.
Sign-Up to Hand Out Scavenger Hunt Prompts Our May challenge will be a Matryoshka built around a scavenger hunt. If you'd like to hand out prompts (and receive comments on your work for doing so!), you can sign up to do so.
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.
This is my new poetical attempt to add my own interpretation to Tolkien's Cosmology as to Eru's Creation and the Valar's minds and behind-the-scene providence reasons and mechanisms.. I often review Eä as part of our own world, just in another dimension, this is why I have always seriously…
In his old age, Isildur's former esquire Ruinamacil, known to later histories only as Ohtar, writes his own account of his escape from the ambush at Gladden Fields and journey to Imladris, and the history of his friend whom Isildur ordered to flee with him.
Fëanor shrugged, studying the contents of his wine glass. “Something must be done about that house. It will fall down eventually.” “It does not follow that it must be you that tears it down single-handedly. Are you sure you do not want help?” “It’s not as though I…
Rescued from a brutal Angband hunt, an ex-thrall with a strange and powerful artifact embedded in his spine is brought to Himring, for it is one of the only places in Beleriand which welcomes such folk. Though he has no memories of his life before, Anniavas slowly becomes accustomed to his new…
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.
Bilbo, the strange old hobbit with the wandering feet, senses something special in young Frodo the first time he sees the lad; as they become close, they find in each other a cameraderie not well understood by other hobbits. Five poignant moments between Bilbo and Frodo Baggins over the course…
A Chieftain is dead. And whilst the events surrounding his death are unclear, a son tries to come to terms with his loss.
Around the World and Web
Scribbles and Drabbles 2026
Scribbles & Drabbles is a fic and art exchange with a minimum word count of 100 words.
Russingon Week 2026
A Tumblr week event focusing on the relationship between Maedhros and Fingon.
Boromir Week 2026
If you are Boromir girlies/gents/stans/simps, then this event is for you! So, come join us, and bring your fanfiction, art, gifs, moodboards, and headcanons that highlight everything you love about our Captain of Gondor!
Silmarillion Epistolary Week 2026
Silmarillion Epistolary Week is a Tumblr challenge dedicated to creating fanworks to tell the story of the Silmarillion in the style of an epistolary novel.
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.
"!!!!" said the reader. This was really impactful. And those last lines that Melkor has are perfect... really made my skin crawl. Framing this as a battle of song, light against dark, much like Finrod and Sauron worked beautifully. I loved it.
Oh, my heart - talk about crying tears of happiness! What a beautiful chapter! Such a lovely surprise to meet Curufin's daughters, and the new hedgehogs (although I had a big lump in my throat at the loss of Leicheg - RIP). But the reunion with Daeron, and especially the description of him when Maglor first saw him again...just wonderful. :) Looking forward to the new Mereth Aderthad! (Oh, and I'm delighted by the mention of Queen Firiel - it's made me think about her meeting hobbits, which I should have considered before, but hadn't...)
(All in such stark contrast to the terrifying Prologue, and poor Finwë's mounting fear. I just knew that foot was going to come down on him. It will be very interesting to see how you tie this in with the rest of the story).
Oh how beautiful it was to read this reunion between Maglor and Daeron. I am so pleased the Daeron has been subsumed into the family Fëanorian as if he always belonged there. It is beyond lovely that Curufin has two daughters and they seem just the kind of kids that are going to be sweet and mischeivous all at once. I cannot wait to see how that prequel ties into all of this, as it currently sits their ominously just out of sight I think. Also RIP Leicheg. 🥺
'The River Incident' is truly family folklore now. It has capital letters!
Ah, the way you wrote Maglor and Fëanor's meeting was so beautiful. I am glad for both of them that it went as well as it did, but there is clearly still a long way for the two of them to go.
I got a bit behind reading this and am catching up and I just wanted to say how very sweet the imagery of Celebrimbor painting constellations on his sisters's ceilings and teaching them about them is. Really, really gorgeous ❤️
Finwe!! ❤️❤️❤️ Ah, so satisfying that he has been returned at last, and what a perfect way for him to come back to his family. Also, that picture of Fëanor, Fingolfin and Finarfin together on a picnic rug with the triplets was gorgeous.
Eeee! Finwe is returned! ♡ I love that first embrace with Maglor, and in the next chapter with Maedhros. He feels so marvellously heartwarming I could just snuggle into him. Poor Maedhros, Morgoth really worked a number on him, even if it's only indirectly sowed lingering self-doubt. I really love the way this family is coming together and being so supportive and loving of each other — and I really love all the hugs!
A huge congratulations, Starspray!! This story is absolutely wonderful and having followed Maglor through from Unhappy into Woe all the way here to the end of A Hundred Miles in the Desert the happiness he and Daeron get to share at his wedding feels especially special and satisfying! This has been so wonderful. I have cried and smiled so much in the last few chapters with the long hoped for reunions and seeing the characters reaching a much healthier, happier place than where they begun. I'm going to miss them and may come back to visit from time to time! I must also thank you for introducing me to Mary Oliver's Wild Geese poem, and I loved the imagery that you included from it near the end. The time and love you've put into this is much appreciated. ❤️
Oh my gosh! What an absolutely marvellous journey, through all the twists and turns, angst and adventure, from Maglor's capture near the Gladden Fields to marriage with Daeron, and the family's healing along the way. This fic and the whole series is such a thoroughly enjoyable and remarkable read. Very well done and thank you so much for creating this!
Comments on A Hundred Miles Through the Desert
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.