Lori A. Browning: Historical Fiction Author
Her Writing
Lori A. Browning writes historical fiction, particularly captivated by the Elizabethan era—an age of discovery, intrigue, and transformation. She thrives on immersive research, delving into historical archives to uncover overlooked narratives and breathe life into enigmatic figures of the past. Her favorite aspect of writing in this genre is blending documented fact with plausible imagination—exploring how events might realistically have unfolded and proposing fresh, thought-provoking interpretations and exciting new
theories along the way.
As a member of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants, Lori traces her lineage to four Mayflower passengers, including William Brewster. Her deep curiosity about one lesser-known ancestor—Stephen Hopkins, whom many scholars believe significantly influenced the Mayflower Compact—sparked over five years of intensive research. This journey laid the
groundwork for her debut historical fiction trilogy, Brave New Atlantis.
Blending documented history, emerging scholarship, and imaginative reconstruction, the Brave New Atlantis series reimagines Hopkins’s life well before and beyond 1620, uncovering new insights into his family ties and
his role in the ideological birth of a new world.
Exploring the World Behind the Words
To research the Brave New Atlantis, Lori has followed in the footsteps of
history—from the windswept shores of Plymouth and Salem to the
shipwreck sites of Bermuda and the early settlement at Jamestown.
She studied Sea Venture artifacts at the Bermuda Maritime Museum, wandered the historic lanes of London, Bristol, and Winchester, and traced the Hopkins family roots through the Hampshire countryside.
Her research has taken her deep into the archives—at Kew, Bristol, and to Hampton Court Palace and Thornbury Castle—and across continents. From Spain, Italy, and the Netherlands to Morocco and Turkey, Lori’s travels have helped shape the rich, immersive settings of her trilogy.
Her Background
Lori was raised by kind, supportive parents—both educators—who nurtured
her independence and curiosity. Her father, a dedicated musician with an eye for detail and a passion for excellence, quietly instilled in her the value of craft and discipline. Her mother, a third-grade teacher, sparked a love of learning and imagination that would shape her writing life. Her brother, once an adventurer in the world of extreme sports, modeled a bold, fearless approach to life that continues to inspire the courage and defiance of limits found in her characters throughout the Brave New Atlantis series.
Lori’s writing is shaped by a lifelong passion for justice, human rights, and the belief in the power of storytelling to bridge cultures. Her historical fiction often weaves in themes of religious freedom, individual conscience, and the dignity of all people—values that resonate deeply across time. She is a proud member of the International Women’s Writing Guild, a global network of women writers, and of PEN America, an organization which champions free speech and expression, as well as literacy and reading.
At sixteen, Lori spent a life-altering summer in Berlin—years before the wall between East and West came down. The experience of witnessing firsthand the contrast between free and restricted societies forever changed her worldview. This early exposure to global politics and governments led her to study Political Science at Moorhead State University and English history
and literature abroad at Oxford.
Lori’s professional life has carried her through travel, hospitality, and the corporate world before she and her best friend—who also happens to be her husband—built a small business together in Arizona. His quiet wisdom, generosity, and unwavering belief in her work have been a constant source of strength, enriching her understanding of the world and making every shared adventure unforgettable. Their three thoughtful, resilient daughters bring her endless joy and perspective, offering insights from a new generation and inspiring her hope for the future. They remind her daily why stories matter—and why she continues to write them.