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Diana L. Paxson

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Diana Lucile Paxson (born February 20, 1943) is an American author, primarily in the fields of paganism and heathenism. Her published works include fantasy and historical fiction novels, as well as numerous short stories. More recently she has also published books about pagan and heathen religions and practices. She is a founder of the Society for Creative Anachronism, where she is known as Countess Diana Listmaker.[2]

Diana L. Paxson
Paxson in June 2016
Paxson in June 2016
Born (1943-02-20) February 20, 1943 (age 81)[1]
Detroit, Michigan, US[1]
EducationMills College (BA)[1]
University of California-Berkeley (MA)[1]
Website
diana-paxson.com

Career

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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 the Avalon series, where she first co-wrote with Marion Zimmer Bradley, then—after Bradley's death—took over sole authorship. Paxson's other books include Taking Up the Runes, Essential Asatru, and Trance-Portation. She writes a regular column in the women's spirituality magazine SageWoman.[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 the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America, and is a frequent panelist at science fiction conventions, especially BayCon, where she was the 2007 Fantasy Guest of Honor.[5]

A leader in the neopagan and heathen revivals, Paxson is the founder of The Fellowship of the Spiral Path[6] and has served as First Officer of the Covenant 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 on Last 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 to Marion Zimmer Bradley and her husband Walter Breen who were both accused of child sexual abuse.[9]

Currently, she is the leader of Hrafnar, a heathen group based in Berkeley, California.[10]

Personal life

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She composes and plays music for the harp. She currently lives at her home, Greyhaven, in Berkeley, California.

Attack

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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 with attempted murder.[11][12]

Publications

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Westria

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  1. Lady of Light (1982) ISBN 0-671-45597-4
  2. Lady of Darkness (1983) ISBN 0-671-45882-5
  3. Silverhair the Wanderer (1986) ISBN 0-8125-4860-4
  4. The Earthstone (1987) ISBN 0-8125-4862-0
  5. The Sea Star (1988) ISBN 0-8125-4864-7
  6. The Wind Crystal (1990) ISBN 0-8125-0040-7
  7. The Jewel of Fire (1992) ISBN 0-8125-1110-7
  8. The Golden Hills of Westria (2006) ISBN 0-7653-0889-4

Lady of Light and Lady of Darkness have been republished in the US as a single volume under the name Mistress of the Jewels (1991), and in the UK as Lady of Light, Lady of Darkness (1990)

Wodan's Children

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  1. The Wolf and the Raven (1993) ISBN 0-688-10821-0
  2. The Dragons of the Rhine (1995) ISBN 0-688-13986-8
  3. The Lord of Horses (1996) ISBN 0-688-14606-6

The Hallowed Isle

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  1. The Book of the Sword (1999) ISBN 0-380-78870-5
  2. The Book of the Spear (1999) ISBN 0-380-80546-4
  3. The Book of the Cauldron (1999) ISBN 0-380-80547-2
  4. The Book of the Stone (2000) ISBN 0-380-80548-0

These were also published in two volumes, as The Hallowed Isle: Books I & II (2000) and Books III & IV (2001)

Chronicles of Fionn mac Cumhal

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In collaboration with Adrienne Martine-Barnes:

  1. Master of Earth and Water (1993) ISBN 0-688-12505-0
  2. The Shield Between the Worlds (1994) ISBN 0-688-13176-X
  3. Sword of Fire and Shadow (1995) ISBN 0-688-14156-0

Avalon series

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In collaboration with Marion Zimmer Bradley:

As sole author:

Other novels

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Sword and Sorceress series

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Paxson has authored the following stories from the Sword and Sorceress series, an annual anthology of fantasy stories:

  • Sword of Yraine
  • Shadow Wood
  • Equona's Mare
  • The Sword Slave
  • A Passage of Power

Other short fiction

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Other books

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Citations

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  1. ^ a b c d "Welcome to My World". Diana Lucile Paxson.
  2. ^ "Founders Page". Society for Creative Anachronism. Archived from the original on 2016-11-29. Retrieved 2016-11-29.
  3. ^ "SageWoman Magazine Home". SageWoman.
  4. ^ "The History of the Kingdom of The West, Annotated History Project, Appendices, The Original Articles of Incorporation". Archived from the original on 2016-07-12. Retrieved 2010-01-27.
  5. ^ BayCon 2007 Archived 2011-07-19 at the Wayback Machine archived web site
  6. ^ "The Fellowship of the Spiral Path – Just another Diana L. Paxson site". thespiralpath.org.
  7. ^ "Diana Paxson Removed from the Troth". 11 May 2024.
  8. ^ "The Troth suspends Diana Paxson from duties". 9 May 2024.
  9. ^ "Last Chance U's New Season Takes an Unexpected, Sad Detour". 7 August 2020.
  10. ^ "Hrafnar". 2024.
  11. ^ Glyer, Mike (December 11, 2023). "Author Diana Paxson Attacked At Home". File 770. WordPress. Retrieved 2023-12-14.
  12. ^ Raguso, Emilie (December 12, 2023). "Berkeley writer Diana Paxson on the mend after stabbing". The Berkeley Scanner. berkeleyscanner.com. Retrieved 2023-12-14.
  13. ^ Marion Zimmer Bradley, ed. (August 1994). Sword and Sorceress XI. DAW Books. p. 32. ISBN 0-88677-614-7. ... If you haven't read Diana's other books, look them up in Books in Print: They're good. So good in fact, that when I decided to write the story mentioned at the end of Mists 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 for The Forest House.

General and cited references

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