What in Arda Counts as “Silmfic”?
We moderators get asked a lot about the group and its policies, but one question we hear more than any other: “What exactly counts as Silmarillion-based fiction (Silmfic) and does my story fit?” We have an FAQ on the subject, but it is admittedly weak and is being rewritten. In the meantime, we thought we’d try to demystify exactly what sorts of writing our group accepts and debunk some of the most persistent myths about what Silmfic is and isn’t. Firstly, we often get asked if “Silmfic” means “only stuff that happens in the First Age or earlier.” It is absolutely not that narrow. The Silmarillion covers an enormous range of time … and yes, that includes parts of the Third Age as well. Years of the Trees, First Age, Second Age, Third Age … all could be settings for a Silmarillion story. We also get asked a lot about stories that span both The Silmarillion and The Lord of the Rings. Are they eligible and, if so, does the author have to stop posting them once the story becomes LotR-c
