Mythopoeia: the act of creating, usually through writing, a new mythology. JRR Tolkein was the first to coin the term, in a poetic response to C.S. Lewis. Tolkein is also cited as a shining example of the mythopoeic genre of fiction: The Lord of the Rings is at once derivitive of medieval mythology, but unique in its character as a fully-fledged mythos complete with creation myths, varying scales of deities and mystical creatures, spiritual good and evil, magic, and mysteries of the universe. Being mythopoeic pretty much guarantees falling under either the 'fantasy' or 'science fiction' (see Star Wars) umbrellas - while the best of the mythos-manufacturing genre are acknowledged and rewarded for their skills by the Mythopoeic Society and their annual Mythopoeic Awards.
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