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 ...
You Can't Go Home Again
What would happen if one of Tolkien's characters returned to a beloved home after a long absence? 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."
I suppose that one find what they seek in a story, no matter the intention of the author. If I have learned nothing from reading and writing Silmarillion fanfiction I have certainly learned that. There are so many different voices and interpretations of the same set of tales. I read your introduction and thought: Oh, a story about Nerdanel. I am always eager to read stories of the women of The Silmarillion, especially of the Noldor. Even though I haven’t written a lot of those yet myself, I think about them and I do intend to pursue them some day. But Nerdanel is one of them who seemed clear to me from the texts and who I could easily sympathize with and understand. However, when I began this story I was once again captured and intrigued by your interpretation of Arafinwë. You never cease to engage me when you write about him, because of all of the Finweans he was originally the one I least expected to feel sympathetic to and you completely turned him around for me. He and Nerdanel together are perfect in that last scene. Loved Earwen in this story too. Nerdanel is not the only one who should be called “the wise” as you write these women. (Actually, just throwing in my two cents worth, I have never been sure where Tolkien got the idea of "the wise" for Nerdanel (sounds like man thinking to me--if she was so wise how in the world did she end up with Feanor, maybe "the passionate" or "reckless"?
Lovely! This piece is very well written. Your Arafinwe is so considerate and different from his brothers. I wonder what might have happened if he had been the middle son... who knows? Nerdanel, in here, is very different from her husband, yet not so that she didn't love him. Her wisdom is shown here perfectly. Just a reason to call her, 'Nerdanel the wise.'
Thanks for writing!
I MUST stop reading your stories. I am crying AGAIN onto my keyboard. This is beautiful.
I am ashamed to say that I never knew what a wonderful character Finarfin was until I read your work.
I also love elegant comparison you drew between Finarfin and Orodreth.
Thank you, Becca! I'm glad you liked the story, and if I'm giving you a new appreciation for Finarfin, then my mission has been accomplished. *rubs hands together devilishly* ;) In all seriousness, I find him a fascinating character (obviously) who has been largely mistreated in fanon. I'm glad you've enjoyed my work about him. :)
Thanks for taking the time to read and to write a comment!
This is so beautiful. I've always thought Finarfin was overlooked and deserved more appreciation, and this story does such a good job of painting his grief! I felt it even more acutely than I felt Nerdanel's, which is saying something, because she's the one I love and empathize with most. Or maybe that's because I simply can't imagine the depth of her tragedy. I don't know, but this was just really beautiful. Love your work! Also, at the risk of sounding completely obnoxious, is that Fëanor/Nerdanel AMC prequel still in the works? Or will it be someday? Do I have hope? Please excuse me, the drama queen in me tends to get the better of me sometimes.
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