Nyx in the House of Night

visiting that fabulous blue island and being mesmerized by its beauty. In the same research trip I walked the streets of Pompeii and knew immediately that I had to add its tragic history into my House of Night mythology, as well.
    So you can see that when the fabulous editor Leah Wilson, head of BenBella Books’ Smart Pop series, approached me for permission to create a nonfiction anthology based on what was basically the research roots of the House of Night, not only was I excited about the idea—I also wanted to join the group of authors! That’s how my essay, “Cruithne Mythology and the House of Night,” was born. I loved writing it and being able to show my readers exactly how I weave history and mythology into my own fictional tapestry.
    I also loved taking on the role of pseudo-editor (make no mistake, readers, Leah Wilson is the real editor of this collection—I’m just the cheerleader). By playing editor I got to invite some of my favorite people and authors to join our team and chime in with their own perspectives regarding the House of Night’s mythology. It was especially fun to put the ex-editor of my Goddess Summoning series, and longtime friend, Christine Zika, in the position of author-to-my-editing by asking her to write for me! And what a great essay she created. Her take on worshipping the female deity was especially cool for me to read, because I’ve known her for more than a decade and have appreciated her strength and guidance as my personal writing mentor. After all, my nickname for her has long been Goddess Editor!
    It was a pleasure to be able to include Bryan Lankford, who is the “real” Dragon Lankford and a well-respected author in his own right. I thoroughly enjoyed his play on being a House of Night professor and I loved the experience and insights into Wicca he brought to this collection, as well as his reflections on how I have lovingly adapted pieces of his belief system within my fictional worship of Nyx.
    Jana Oliver, Jeri Smith-Ready, Yasmine Galenorn, and Jordan Dane are longtime author friends of mine. I’m so glad that when I put out the call for House of Night essays they answered with imagination and enthusiasm. Jana’s piece on tattoos gets an especially big thumbs-up from me. Not just because tattoos play a major role in the House of Night, but also because I have several pieces of body art myself! Jeri first caught my attention when I read her amazing novel Requiem for the Devil , in which she sets up the ultimate freedom-of-choice scenario—glad to see she used that unique insight when she discussed freedom of choice in the House of Night mythos, too. I have long appreciated the strength of Yasmine’s dedication to the Divine Feminine, and her essay on the Goddess is both empowering and thought provoking. With Jordan’s piece it was great to have a fellow Oklahoman weigh in on the Native American magick that runs through our great state and how I borrow from it to create a foundation for Zoey and Grandma Redbird.
    And, of course, I love it when Kristin gets a chance to write something on her own; her insights into the House of Night world and the complexities of giving the ancient matriarchal freedoms—as in Zoey being able to choose more than one boyfriend—voice in a modern world are fascinating. As usual, she makes her mom proud.
    Though I don’t know Karen Mahoney, John Edgar Browning, Ellen Steiber, Amy Sturgis, or Trinity Faegen, their essays delighted me. Who doesn’t want to know more about the Otherworld or the House of Night cats, historical vampires or Nyx herself? And I have to tell you, my favorite of the entire collection might just be Amy’s amazing piece on Tulsa. I do heart me some T-Town.
    A particular point of pleasure I found in putting together this collection was when BenBella agreed to include illustrations by a good friend of mine, Alan Torrance. I was introduced to Alan when I began my research in Scotland for the seventh House of Night book, Burned . I recognized his talent then, and am so pleased to be able to show his unique artistic eye in the exquisite pieces he created for Nyx in the House of Night.
    I hope you enjoy this collection as much as Leah and I enjoyed putting it together. From the heart of the House of Night, I wish you all the brightest of blessings and the magick of mythology to add to your own personal dreams and wishes and stories!

{ Night in the House of Good and Evil }
    NYX’S PORTRAYAL IN THE HOUSE OF