About Lori

Short Bio: Writing Inspiration

Lori Keesey discovered her passion for writing at age six, when she wrote and illustrated a very short story about three puppies lost in a hatbox. Her first-grade teacher loved it and encouraged her to continue writing. That’s how important teachers are!

Many years later, the study of Harper Lee’s To Kill a Mockingbird in high school rekindled her interest. So captivated by Harper’s young protagonist, Scout, Lori wanted to create characters just as engaging as this spunky little girl. Years passed—and hundreds, if not thousands, of novels were read—before Lori realized her goal. She’s still fine-tuning her debut novel—tentatively named The Portal—and plans to publish it one of these days.

Long Bio: Professional Experience

Lori Keesey considers herself one of the lucky ones. Recently retired, Lori enjoyed a 40-plus-year career as a writer and now has time to pursue her childhood dream of writing fictional characters who make a difference.

She’s written for daily newspapers and trade publications and her freelance work has appeared in regional and trade magazines, specifically those specializing in space exploration. Yes, Lori was a space junkie, and worked for NASA in public outreach for nearly 20 years.

She graduated from the University of Maryland, College Park, with a B.S. in journalism. There she met Kevin Berry, whom she married in 1980. She is the mother of three boys and two dogs. When not reading or writing, Lori volunteers at ReUnite Ministries. Working with a team of dedicated women, she helps restore mothers who’ve lost custody of their children due to the trauma in their own lives.

A devout porch sitter, nothing makes her happier than looking at her view of the Chilhowee Mountains and Smoky Mountain National Park.

Born in Washington, D.C., Lori now calls Walland, Tennessee, home.