New Challenge: Epic 80s
This month's challenge features hundreds of fresh prompts from the bodacious decade of the 1980s.
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: Epic 80s
This month's challenge features hundreds of fresh prompts from the bodacious decade of the 1980s.
Cultus Dispatches: Communities Do Comment
Comment data from the SWG underscores community as an essential component to a robust commenting culture.
Instadrabbling Sessions for July, August, and September
Instadrabbling continues on the first Saturday of each month on our Discord server.
New Challenge: Scavenger Hunt
In this Matryoshka-with-a-twist, you will solve clues that point you to the challenge prompts.
[Writing] Is it raining with you? by AdmirableMonster
In the last days of Númenor, two very different men meet in Umbar and fall in love.
(Please note that while this work is heavily inspired by Disco Elysium, no knowledge of the game is necessary to read the fic!)
[Writing] Nasyalossë by Lovimmy3365
Erestor lay up against a tree, brown washed to black in the wet of the snow. The black disc of the new moon sailed across the dark sky. Erestor wished it were gone. He had no need to look into dark eyes any longer.
He was dying.
(AKA Erestor unwittingly travels back in time to the…
[Writing] From That Rubble by StarSpray
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…
[Writing] Eä's Redemption by AaronAzrael
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…
[Writing] Wrensong and Roses by Isilme_among_the_stars
Concerned by his responses to the paraphernalia of healing, Fingon steals Maedhros from his room for an impromptu garden excursion. Maedhros battles with dark thoughts.
[Writing] The Mirror Crack'd by AdmirableMonster
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…
[Writing] Bon(e)fire by Fuin
On the night before the battle, Caranthir and his ally share thoughts about their peoples' traditions:
Burning bones ward off evil.
Epic 80s
Create a fanwork using on of our righteous prompts based on popular culture from the 1980s. Read more ...
Ancestors
Create a fanwork in which a character's resemblance or connection to an ancestor plays a central role. Read more ...
Communities Do Comment: Expanding the 3C's of Commenting with SWG Data by Dawn Walls-Thumma
Expanding on my 2018 article "Why People Don't Comment," comment data from the SWG underscores community as an essential component to a robust commenting culture.
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.
[Writing] Down the Long Years by Isilme_among_the_stars
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…
[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.
Tolkien Gen Week 2026
Tolkien Gen Week will run from July 6-12, 2026 to appreciate all of the incredible characters and relationships within Tolkien’s legendarium that fall under the broad category of “gen.”
Tolkien Disability Pride 2026
This Tumblr event focuses on ALL creative works focusing on disability in Tolkien's universe.
Tolkien Native Language Appreciation Fest 2026
A Tumblr event to celebrate the linguistic diversity of the Tolkien fandom.
Scribbles and Drabbles 2026
Scribbles & Drabbles is a fic and art exchange with a minimum word count of 100 words.
I think this is the first story based on CoH that I've ever seen, which is a little sad when you think about it. You do a good job with the archaic feel in the piece and Melkor is a most villainous villain! :)
I'm surprised that this hasn't got many reviews. This is a wonderful piece of work! Your style is very similar to Tolkien's himself, which is something that always catches my attention. I love how you portrayed Hurin's defiance earlier on, and the interactions between Morgoth and his servants. I found it very interesting that Morgoth actually enjoyed instructing Hurin, because it shows that it was in his nature to want to teach others, even though now he has become twisted with evil. I have nothing but the highest praise for this and it's definitely going on my favourites! :)
This has been on my 'to read' list for a wee bit. The title and summary intrigued me and the opening chapter did not disappoint. The imagery is rather epic, particularly Melkor ascending the mountain with the chair and Húrin in hand. There were a lot of enjoyable details about Melkor's thought process and his interactions with his foes and--I use the term as loosely as possible--friends.
I'm hoping to be able to read more of this over the holidays. Compelling concept!
-Huin
I had almost forgotten about this story, it being my first crack at anything like this and certainly the first time I'd ever dared to post something for public consumption; I am pleased that the first chapter didn't disappoint. I am worried now looking at it again that Melkor comes across as a bit of a Pantomime/Disney villian, but of course this has not been the feedback I've recieved from anyone else so mayhap I'm being a bit hard on myself - a failing that I readily acknowledge!
Anyway, thanks for reviewing and I hope that I have not put you off enjoying the rest of this...
Happy Hols, CiH
Yes, I do continue to find this story enjoyable. Re: your response to my Ch 1 review--Melkor is indeed of an angrier and less subtle sort than I sometimes see him portrayed, especially in the first chapter, but it did seem he had good enough reason to be pissed off. And he becomes more complex as we learn about his schemes in the ensuing chapters.
I quite liked this chapter in particular. I'm not sure I've seen a story before that actually has Melkor interacting with one of the dragons. Their dynamic is very interesting. I want my own dragon pal who gives me advice and consolation when I'm glum... *trying to hug Glaurung*
I knew that Glaurung had to come into play at some point before his encounter with Turin and a dialogue with Melkor seemed the obvious choice, I am glad that is little interlude worked ok...
Thanks, CiH!
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Comments on The Eyes and Ears of Melkor
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