News
Ep53: “Original Sound,” award-winning actor and director Greg Jbara’s new film, will be in theaters April 24. Learn all about the movie, and Greg’s superstar career, on today’s interview with our host, award-winning novelist Jeffrey James Higgins
June 6: Only 6 spots are left for the Shortcon 2026 — The Premier Conference for Writers of Short Crime Fiction
May 3: 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 Chanthal
April 11: Get your books signed by the author at the Spy Museum — Meet award-winning thriller novelist Jeffrey James Higgins who will be signing his Nathan Burke bestselling books!
April 8: Cynthia Farahat is featured on the Fair Observer podcast show — “The Muslim Brotherhood Explained — Origins, Ideology and Global Influence”
Ep50: Celebrate the Book Launch for Jeffrey James Higgins 4-part Nathan Burke series as Jeff is interviewed by award-winning noir author Christopher Chambers
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”
February 21 Writer’s Workshop: Book Writing Coach Karen Bacellar helps us “Find the Shape of Your Story: A Blueprint for Novel Planning”
Jan. 5: Writer’s Workshop with Join C.R. Rowenson, “The Thriller Writer’s Supernatural System — Designing Extraordinary Elements for Your Manuscript”
Jan. 22 New Year’s Event: The Alexandria Arts Alliance is celebrating its 2nd annual New Years gathering to celebrate artists in the area — at Elaine’s!
Dec. 6 Holiday Event: The Chantilly Writers celebrated their annual holiday event at Elaine’s! The authors shared their work, including the Club’s anthologies. Great holiday gifts!
Nov. 15 Art Event: Elaine’s celebrated “For the Love of Art,” when 6 Alexandria artists showed their work at this first regular event. Stay tuned for more!
Friends to Lovers Bookstore event, “Between Two Kings” Release Party with Lindsay Straube on Nov. 11, 2025
Oct. 5 Reading, The Gift of Poetry: Five of our favorite area poets gathered to read their signature work. More poetry events are coming in 2026!
July’s Northern Virginia Writer’s Book Club Meeting at Elaine’s Literary Salon features celebrity author Jeffrey James Higgins and his new book, “The Havana Syndrome”
July 25, 2025 — Timothy Trainer’s newest novel, “The China Factor,” about China’s Information Theft, Makes Award List
Jeffrey James Higgins is featured on today’s episode of the Eastern Panhandle Talk show, co-hosted by John Gilstrap
Congratulations to Timothy Trainer’s “The China Factor” now #63 on Amazon’s Asian Literature list
Elaine's Writers Club
Only 6 spots are left for Shortcon 2026: The Premier Conference for Writers of Short Crime Fiction
When: June 6, 7:30am to 6pm
Where: Elaine’s Restaurant, 208 Queen Street, Alexandria VA
Register today!
Thursday, 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 SalonSunday, 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!Sunday, May 03, 20266-9pm
May 3: 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 ChanthalWednesday, 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, May 14, 20266-9pm
Austin Camacho gives us insight into his new title, “Mirror Target”Saturday, May 30, 202612-3pm
From George Washington to Aaron Burr, author and speaker David O. Stewart is bringing American history to Elaine’sThursday, 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, June 06, 20267:30-6pmJune 6: Only 6 spots are left for the Shortcon 2026 — The Premier Conference for Writers of Short Crime FictionSaturday, 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!”Sunday, July 19, 202612-3pm
Futurist Richard Smith brings us the new Clifi Technothriller, WhiteGrass: “We call it ‘Climate Change,’ because it’s not just the heat.”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
Author of the Cold War Thriller series Bill Rapp is bringing his latest novel, “The Prague Spring,” to Elaine’s Literary SalonSunday, April 26, 202612-3pmCheck out this preview for Rebecca Morrison’s new book, “The Blue Dress” coming to Elaine’s April 26Saturday, May 02, 202612-3pmHistory 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!Sunday, May 03, 20266-9pmMay 3: 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 ChanthalWednesday, 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, May 14, 20266-9pmAustin Camacho gives us insight into his new title, “Mirror Target”Saturday, May 30, 202612-3pmFrom George Washington to Aaron Burr, author and speaker David O. Stewart is bringing American history to Elaine’sThursday, June 04, 20266-9pmHumans 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, June 06, 20267:30-6pmJune 6: Only 6 spots are left for the Shortcon 2026 — The Premier Conference for Writers of Short Crime FictionSaturday, July 18, 202612-3pmLynda 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!”Sunday, July 19, 202612-3pmFuturist Richard Smith brings us the new Clifi Technothriller, WhiteGrass: “We call it ‘Climate Change,’ because it’s not just the heat.”Thursday, September 17, 20266-9pmYou 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