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Diana L. Paxson | |
|---|---|
 Paxson in June 2016 | |
| Born | (1943-02-20)February 20, 1943 (age 82)[1] Detroit,Michigan, US[1] |
| Education | Mills College (BA)[1] University of California-Berkeley (MA)[1] |
| Website | |
| diana-paxson | |
Diana Lucile Paxson (born February 20, 1943) is an American writer, primarily in the fields ofpaganism andheathenism. Her published works includefantasy andhistorical fiction novels, as well as numerousshort stories. More recently she has also published books about pagan and heathen religions and practices. She is a founder of theSociety for Creative Anachronism, where she is known asCountess Diana Listmaker.[2]
In addition to her multiple novels and collaborations, she has written over 70 short stories. Her best-known works are the Westria novels, and the later books in theAvalon series, where she first co-wrote withMarion Zimmer Bradley, then—after Bradley's death—took over sole authorship. Paxson's other books includeTaking Up the Runes,Essential Asatru, andTrance-Portation. She writes a regular column in the women's spirituality magazineSageWoman.[3]
Paxson has been active in the leadership of a number of organizations. She hosted the first activities of the Society for Creative Anachronism, and was subsequently among that group's founding directors and corporate officers when it incorporated.[4] She was the western regional director of theScience Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America, and is a frequent panelist atscience fiction conventions, especiallyBayCon, where she was the 2007 Fantasy Guest of Honor.[5]
A leader in theneopagan and heathen revivals, Paxson is the founder ofThe Fellowship of the Spiral Path[6] and has served as First Officer of theCovenant of the Goddess.
She has been Steerswoman of the heathen group,The Troth, a member of its board of directors, and edited its journal,Idunna. On May 10, 2024, The Troth announced her expulsion. "Through unanimous vote by the Board of Directors, Diana Paxson is removed from all positions, including Elder, Clergy, and Membership status with The Troth. Diana Paxson has presented a pervasive and longstanding pattern of behavior that unquestionably impedes the community’s ability to maintain a constructive environment and hinders the organization’s ability to function from this point forward. The Troth stands with all victims of abuse of any kind, and when the light is shined on deeds that harm the innocent, we must stand firm and grant it no peace."[7] "Paxson is not accused of any abuse, but rather her lack of judgment or action regarding abuses that reportedly happened around her."[8]Paxson said during an interview onLast Chance U “If we only had perfect people writing, there would be no one left to write. What we should be doing is honoring what people manage to achieve despite their flaws” when referring toMarion Zimmer Bradley and her husbandWalter Breen who were both accused ofchild sexual abuse.[9]
Currently, she is the leader of Hrafnar, a heathen group based inBerkeley, California.[10]
She composes and plays music for theharp. She currently lives at her home, Greyhaven, inBerkeley, California.
On December 8, 2023, both she and her son Ian Grey were stabbed in their Berkeley home by a family member, who was arrested and charged withattempted murder.[11][12]
Lady of Light andLady of Darkness have been republished in the US as a single volume under the nameMistress of the Jewels (1991), and in the UK asLady of Light, Lady of Darkness (1990)
These were also published in two volumes, asThe Hallowed Isle: Books I & II (2000) andBooks III & IV (2001)
In collaboration withAdrienne Martine-Barnes:
In collaboration withMarion Zimmer Bradley:
As sole author:
Paxson has authored the following stories from theSword and Sorceress series, an annual anthology of fantasy stories:
... If you haven't read Diana's other books, look them up inBooks in Print: They're good. So good in fact, that when I decided to write the story mentioned at the end ofMists of Avalon—about Roman Britain and the Druid priestess Eilan—it was Diana I chose to collaborate with me on it. Because of marketing decisions, Viking decided my name alone would sell better—I'm not sure why—but here among friends, so to speak, I'm happy to acknowledge Diana's help and input. It should be out in April 1994; look forThe Forest House.
