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.
I found this story very strong and original. A lot of fanfic is (in a warm and pleasant way) echoes back shared interpretations and preferences about favorite canon characters and events. I know I love to write that sort of familiar (to me) fanfic and read it too! I also really enjoy cross-fertilization. But this one came out of some other place for me! (I wanna say it shows that you don't sit around reading a bunch of the current Silm meta! Not that there is anything wrong with that--I'm a glutton for it myself.)
Wow! I like this story a lot. I would never have written it. I do know a few people who recently have chosen to explore the War of Wrath and others who have written fic relating to followers of Oromë--usually not in the same stories. And I like the idea of dream therapy and a guy underestimating how much he has to contribute and being corrected and re-directed.
Thanks so much, Oshun. You're my biggest fan and the inspector who keeps me writing.
I admit to having a soft spot for several of the Valar, Orome being one and Irmo being another. I actually meant this story to be about Eärendil fighting the dragon but it got away from me. I find the idea of these beings, which have been around since the dawn of time, going to physical war hard to wrap my head around. I'm drawn to the notion of how these traumatic events affect the average person/immortal being. it's a fascinating idea, but too much to explore in a short piece. Good enough for a fairytale of sorts though.
You're right, I don't keep up with or follow trends I just write what a prompt suggests. This one got away frim me. I was going to write about Eärendil fighting the dragon and it turned into this. A leopard can't change its spots.
The name Ruiechil is straight from Darth Fingon. I don't even attempt to make these up on my own. lol
I'm glad you liked this and I'm grateful for your help with it.
Thanks, Himring! The quote made me think of dragons for some reason and that made me think of The War of Wrath. I'm glad you like the little tramatuzed Maia. He has his work cut out for him with all the future wars but he really found his true calling. :-)
I don't think I've ever seen a story centered on a Maia who fought (and "died") in the War of Wrath, so this was wholly unexpected and intriguing. I'm glad Ruiechil has found healing and a new purpose after the loss of his home. Loved the vivid description of the dream, too.
Thanks for your comments, Lyra. They're much appreciated. I thought the perspective of a foot soldier in the War of Wrath would be interesting to explore. War changes people so I'm sure it would change some Maia too. Thanks also for your comments about the descriptions. I love writing them.
I enjoyed this very much. So descriptive! In a gloriously dark and gloomy way. I've always desired to write something deliciously horrific and beautiful at the same time, but never have managed it. You have done so with such an original story. There is something about writing from an OC's POV that allows the imagination to create such wonderful descriptions and ideas.
I really liked the line about Eru allowing discord into the music. I've often wondered why he didn't do something about it and avoid all the suffering and misery that so many of Tolkien's characters suffered.
Thank you for writing such an inspiring and moving piece.
What a nice compliment, jenni. Thanks so much! The first line I chose made me think of The War of Wrath right away and the thought of the dragons making even the Valar fall back in fear and amazement is a stunning idea. I'm glad you enjoyed it.
I don't think the Valar ever understood the discord either, but they have a rather narrow perspective whereas Eru sees the big picture, and his ways are his own.
Comments on The Legacy of Loss
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.