Writing Services
- Query Letter / Literary Agent Search
- First Five Pages Edit
- Craft / Writing Business Consultation
Cost: Just $199/hour
Click here to email Jeff to set up a consultation
About Jeffrey James Higgins: By day, Jeff manages Elaine’s restaurant, the award-winning Alexandria, VA restaurant he opened with his wife Cynthia, who is also an author.
Jeff received the Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Heroism and the DEA Award of Valor. CNN, Fox News, and The New York Times have interviewed him, and he’s appeared on CNN Declassified, National Geographic’s Narco Wars, and ABC News. He has a BS in Journalism and an MS in Criminal Justice.
He’s a #1 Amazon bestselling author who’s won the Claymore Award, PenCraft’s Best Fiction Book of the Year, and a Reader’s Favorite Gold Medal. His debut novel, Furious, is Black Rose Writing’s bestselling thriller, and The Forever Game was selected as one of the best medical thrillers of the 21st century. In 2025, Severn River Publishing launched The Havana Syndrome and The Khorasan Retribution, the first two books in the Nathan Burke international espionage thriller series. Learn more: JeffreyJamesHiggins.com
Winemaker Daniel Grace is bringing his new literary thriller, and his wines, to Elaine’s — Join us for an uncomfortable conversation about history, religion, addiction, crime & punishment. And of course, for some of his delicious Sangiovese wines from Tuscany!Saturday, March 21, 202611-4pm
March 21 Writer’s Workshop: “Becoming a Master Writer,” with John DeDakis — Writing coach, and award-winning author, a former CNN Senior Copy Editor for the Emmy and Peabody-Award winning news program “The Situation Room with Wolf Blitzer”Sunday, April 12, 20266-9pm
Hemlock & Hearth is coming to Elaine’s! Be sure to check out this independent Southern Gothic-influenced fragrance house based in Alexandria, Virginia founded by ChanthalTuesday, April 14, 2026
Chandrani Ghosh is bringing her new novel, Heartlines, to Elaine’s Literary Salon. “Think ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ for Indian families,” says the former journalist turned authorSaturday, April 18, 202612-3pm
Wanda Rawlings brings her award-winning series, “A Christian Journey,” to Elaine’s Literary SalonSunday, April 19, 202612-3pm
Jennifer van der Kleut brings us “The Better Mother,” a plot-driven suspense debut about a woman who ends up pregnant after a casual fling — but the father’s girlfriend has sinister intentionsWednesday, April 22, 20266-8pm
Book Release Party with Sadie Kincaid, “The Auction: A Spicy, Dark Romance Novel” — with a special cocktail, “The Sadie” to celebrateThursday, April 23, 20266-9pm
Author of the Cold War Thriller series Bill Rapp is bringing his latest novel, “The Prague Spring,” to Elaine’s Literary SalonSaturday, April 25, 202611-4pm
April 25 Writer’s Workshop: Book Writing Coach Karen Bacellar teaches us about “Beginnings and Endings — How Stories Open, Close, and Echo”Sunday, April 26, 202612-3pm
Check out this preview for Rebecca Morrison’s new book, “The Blue Dress” coming to Elaine’s April 26Saturday, May 02, 202612-3pm
History comes alive: Irene Bennett’s new novel, “Battle of the Artisans,” portrays the making of the very real Bells of Marquis Yi, a 2500-year-old National Treasure of China. Don’t miss our interview at Elaine’s!Wednesday, May 13, 20266-9pm
“I Can’t Have Cancer, I Have Carpool! — Lessons on Beating Cancer While Being a Mom” shares author, mom of 3 and cancer survivor Elizabeth Hodges. Meet her May 13Thursday, June 04, 20266-9pm
Humans may “Hang 10” when they surf, but surf dogs always “Hang 20,” insists law enforcement officer turned children’s book author Kerri Hagerty. Meet her at Elaine’s and check out her bestselling books!Saturday, July 18, 202612-3pm
Lynda Allen is bringing her books to Elaine’s, including the Liv Wilde Mysteries newest title “Flashes of Fire and Fury.” She insists, “Menopause is a superpower!”Thursday, September 17, 20266-9pm
You are going to love the first two novels by Michelle Cullen, including, “A Field Guide to Murder” — Meet her at Elaine’s on Sept. 17