Editing David Drake (section)

==Works==
His best-known solo work is the [[Hammer's Slammers]] series of military science fiction.<ref name=":0" /> His newer [[RCN Series]] was a [[space opera]] inspired by the [[Aubrey–Maturin series|Aubrey–Maturin novels]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=The Roads to the RCN Series by David Drake - Baen Books |url=https://www.baen.com/roadstorcn |access-date=2024-05-13 |website=www.baen.com |language=en}}</ref> In 1997, Drake began his largest fantasy series, ''[[Lord of the Isles (David Drake)|Lord of the Isles]]'', using elements of [[Sumer]]ian religion and medieval technology. In 2007, Drake finished the series with its ninth volume.

Drake co-authored novels with authors such as [[Karl Edward Wagner]], [[S. M. Stirling]], and [[Eric Flint]].<ref name=":0" /> Typically Drake provided plot outlines (5,000–15,000 words) and the co-author did "the real work of developing the outline into a novel".<ref name=outlines>[http://david-drake.com/2010/plot-outlines/ Novel Plot Outlines], David Drake, May 26, 2010</ref> He did not "consider [his] involvement to be that of a real co-author."<ref name=outlines/> Drake also contributed to the ''[[Heroes in Hell]]'' series.<ref name=":1" />

A common element in most of his works was the focus on military, in particular, lives of regular soldiers.<ref name=":0" /> Drake's plots often use history, literature, and mythology; in his foreword to ''The Lord of the Isles'', Drake explained that while he had an academic background in history, he regarded himself as an [[antiquarian]] rather than a historian and that this perspective informed his approach to writing.{{Fact|date=May 2024}}  Starting with ''Northworld'' in 1990,<ref>[http://david-drake.com/2000/northworld/ Northworld, Vengeance, and Justice], David Drake, May 15, 2000</ref> he generally explained the background of each book in an afterword or preface.{{Original research inline|date=May 2024}}  Additionally, Drake's plots frequently involve a contest of political systems.{{citation needed|date=September 2013}}

Some of Drake's works are available for free download in the [[Baen Free Library]].