Diana L. Paxson (born 1943) is an 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.
In addition to her multiple novels and collaborations, she has written over seventy short stories. Her best-known works are the Westria novels, and the later books in the Avalon series, which she first co-wrote with Marion Zimmer Bradley, then took over sole authorship of after Bradley's death. Paxson's other books include Taking Up the Runes, Essential Asatru, and Trance-Portation. She writes a regular column for the women's spirituality magazine, Sagewoman.
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. 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.
A leader in the Neopagan and Heathen revivals, Paxson is the founder of the The Fellowship of the Spiral Path 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 currently edits its journal, Idunna. She is a pioneer in the revival of Oracular Seidh, which she has taught and performed at many Neopagan and heathen festivals and retreats.
She composes and plays music for the harp. She currently lives at her home, Greyhaven, in Berkeley, California.
The Golden Hills of Westria (2006) ISBN 0-7653-0889-4
Lady of Light and Lady of Darkness have been republished in the U.S. 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
The Wolf and the Raven (1993) ISBN 0-688-10821-0
The Dragons of the Rhine (1995) ISBN 0-688-13986-8
The Lord of Horses (1996) ISBN 0-688-14606-6
The Hallowed Isle
The Book of the Sword (1999) ISBN 0-380-78870-5
The Book of the Spear (1999) ISBN 0-380-80546-4
The Book of the Cauldron (1999) ISBN 0-380-80547-2
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
In collaboration with Adrienne Martine-Barnes:
Master of Earth and Water (1993) ISBN 0-688-12505-0
The Shield Between the Worlds (1994) ISBN 0-688-13176-X
Sword of Fire and Shadow (1995) ISBN 0-688-14156-0
Avalon series
In collaboration with Marion Zimmer Bradley:
The Forest House (1994) (uncredited)
Lady of Avalon (1997) (uncredited)
Priestess of Avalon (2000)
As sole author:
Ancestors of Avalon (2004)
Ravens of Avalon (2007)
Sword of Avalon (2009)
Other novels
Brisingamen (1984) ISBN 0-425-07298-3
White Mare, Red Stallion (1986) ISBN 0-425-08531-7
The Paradise Tree (1987) ISBN 0-441-65134-8
The White Raven (1988) ISBN 0-688-07496-0
The Serpent's Tooth (1991) ISBN 0-688-08339-0
Sword and Sorceress series
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
Other short fiction
"The Song of N'Sardi-El" in Millennial Women (1978)
"An Appropriate Hell" in War in Hell (1988) - part of the Heroes in Hell series
Other books
Celestial Wisdom for Every Year of Your Life: Discover the Hidden Meaning of Your Age (with Z. Budapest) Weiser Books (2003) ISBN 157863282X, ISBN 978-1578632824
Taking Up the Runes: A Complete Guide to Using Runes in Spells, Rituals, Divination, and Magic Weiser Books (April 20 2005) ISBN 1578633257, ISBN 978-1578633258
Essential Asatru: Walking the Path of Norse Paganism Citadel (December 1, 2006) ISBN 0806527080, ISBN 978-0806527086
Trance-Portation: Learning to Navigate the Inner World Red Wheel/Weiser Books (November 1, 2008) ISBN 1578634059, ISBN 978-1578634057