mythopoeic

Mythopoeic is an adjective describing the practice or art of myth-making, especially as it appears in literature. The noun mythopoeia comes from the Greek mythopoiia, meaning the making of myth. In criticism, mythopoeic refers to works that create their own mythologies, cosmologies, histories, and often languages, rather than merely retelling existing myths.

In modern fantasy, mythopoeic writing is characterized by the construction of coherent mythic systems embedded in narrative worlds. Authors may develop extensive backstories, legendary cycles, and symbolic frameworks that give a sense of ancient depth to their fictional universes. J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis are frequently cited as central figures in mythopoeic fantasy, with Tolkien's legendarium and Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia often presented as exemplary cases. Ursula K. Le Guin's Earthsea and other authors are also discussed in discussions of mythopoeic fantasy for their world-building and mythic qualities.

The term is used beyond strict fantasy to describe works and authors who treat myth as a living, shaping force within a story, not merely as ornament. There is also a scholarly and organizational dimension: the Mythopoeic Society promotes mythopoeic literature, hosts Mythcon conferences, and publishes Mythlore, a journal devoted to mythopoeic scholarship and related topics.