David Drake

David Drake (born September 24, 1945) is an American author known for his contributions to the science fiction and fantasy genres. Prior to his writing career, Drake served as a lawyer and a Vietnam War veteran. He graduated from the University of Iowa with honors in history and Latin, and later attended Duke University School of Law. During his time in the U.S. Army, he worked as an enlisted interrogator in Vietnam and Cambodia. After the war, Drake worked as the Assistant Town Attorney in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. In 1981, he transitioned to full-time writing, specializing in military science fiction. Drake was also involved in Carcosa, a small press company. He now resides in Pittsboro, North Carolina. On November 17, 2021, he announced his retirement from writing novels due to unspecified cognitive health concerns.