Lori Rosenlof Drake
Author, Poet, & Former Journalist
Lori Drake's debut chapbook is a luminous collection of poems that highlight the joys and sorrows of a life well-lived. Her words—sometimes playful, sometimes profound—capture moments that reflect the extraordinary in the ordinary: like a teacher's devotion to her students; a daughter's love of family; and a writer's enduring curiosity about the world. In Moonshine, Drake invites her readers to laugh out loud, linger over words, and listen to their own stories as she illuminates her memories. Written in both free verse and rhyme, Drake's words and wit remind readers that the world is full of wonder.
August 2026
Published by Finishing Line Press
Words in the World
When she was a toddler and confused her pronouns, she used to say, ‘I carry you,’ when she wanted to be held. Now she indeed carried me through this ordeal.
The Christian Century
“Essays by Readers: Stretch – The Buechner Narrative Writing Project”
“Farmville appeared different – out of the ordinary – a ‘through the looking glass’ experience that seemed to transport everyone to a different world.”
Visit Farmville NC
“Through the Looking Glass: When Snow Came to Farmville”
“On a hot, humid evening in August 1904, Mrs. John Stanley Smith sat at her kitchen table reading her latest copy of Ladies Home Journal … An idea met with inspiration.”
Visit Farmville NC
“A 121-Year-Old Idea Still Flourishing Today”
The Story of Lori
As a military wife, Lori Rosenlof Drake has lived on both coasts and overseas where she has worked as a freelance writer. A native Nebraskan, Drake graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln.
She received her Masters Degree in Mass Communications from San Diego State University, and later worked as a reporter and columnist for the Gaithersburg Gazette in Maryland. While living in Naples, Italy she taught Journalism and Women’s Studies at the University of Maryland – European Division.
The recipient of several Honorable Mentions in the Writers Digest Competition, her work has appeared in The Christian Century, San Diego Woman, Mothers Always Write, and the Nebraska Alumnus. While working as the Executive Director of the Farmville, NC Chamber ofCommerce, Drake implemented the National Poetry Month Celebration in her hometown. Prior to that she founded Roseleaf Academy, the only girls’ middle school in eastern North Carolina
where she taught Humanities.
Drake has six grown children, two grandchildren and currently resides with her husband in Farmville, NC. Moonshine Shared with a Mishmash of Musings is
her debut poetry chapbook.
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