News
New on Outliers CRIMINAL MISCHIEF: Episode 85: Former DEA Supervisory Special Agent Jeffrey James Higgins
Elaine’s Literary Salon welcomes Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins Art in Every Space Project with a beautiful painting by artist Alfa Tate O’Neill
Zebra: “Plot Twists and Thrilling Menus — The Double Life of Jeffrey James Higgins, Novelist and Co-owner of Elaine’s Restaurant,” by reporter Lisa-Helen Lawson
Happy Hour for Writers — the last Wednesday of the month: Join Sisters in Crime Chessie Chapter, the Authors Guild, Mystery Writers of America, Northern Virginia Writer’s Club, Friends to Lovers Bookstore — and more!
CrimeReads: “The Rise of Elaine’s Literary Salon in Alexandria, VA” — Journalist Rick Pullen writes, “Jeffrey James Higgins is first through the door for authors.”
Save the Date: Saturday, August 1, noon to 3pm — Summer Scent & Stories: Smoke & Fireflies with Hemlock & Hearth
We will see you tonight! Sunday, June 28, 6-9pm — The Long Dark House is coming to Elaine’s for its Summer 2026 event Soft Launch “SummerWeen” Celebration
May 11: Jeffrey James Higgins is featured on the Fair Observer podcast show — “Why Narcoterrorism Still Matters”
Friends to Lovers bookstore presents, “Falling for You” book release party with Natasha Madison
QuinTango is coming to Elaine’s! Join us for “The Stories Tango Tells” — an intimate interview with the group’s founder Joan Singer and composers Ali Cook and Emmanuel Trifilio
Carter Wilson’s Making it Up podcast stars Jeffrey James Higgins, author of the Nathan Burke thriller series
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: Shortcon 2026 is sold out! Are you on the waiting list for 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”
Elaine's Writers Club
Show how much you love Elaine’s: Vote4Elaines2026
Please vote for Elaine’s Restaurant in the Zebra Readers’ Choice contest for: Best Beer, Brunch, Burgers, Catering, Cocktails, Dessert, Egyptian Food, Fine Dining, Happy Hour, Margaritas, Martinis, Seafood — and best of all, Most Romantic Restaurant
ELAINE’S WELCOMES ART IN EVERY SPACE
Art by Alfa Tate O’Neill
ELAINE’S LITERARY SALON IS IN THE NEWS
Check out this fabulous article in the Zebra by reporter Lisa-Helene Lawson
Jeffrey James Higgins in the Library at Elaine’s Literary Salon
Wednesday, July 29, 2026In-person live event6-9pmHappy Hour for Writers — the last Wednesday of the month: Join Sisters in Crime Chessie Chapter, the Authors Guild, Mystery Writers of America, Northern Virginia Writer’s Club, Friends to Lovers Bookstore — and more!No reservations needed — We'll meet you at the bar!Thursday, July 30, 2026In-person live event6-9pmWriters Club members: Mark your calendar for our July Write-In at Elaine’sAuthorsGuildWriteIn.eventbrite.comSaturday, August 01, 2026In-person live event12-3pmSave the Date: Saturday, August 1, noon to 3pm — Summer Scent & Stories: Smoke & Fireflies with Hemlock & HearthAug1Hemlock+Hearth.eventbrite.comThursday, August 06, 2026In-person live event6-9pm
First wine dinner of the season: Take a Tour de France! Join us for a flight of 5 white wines — please wear white!Call Elaine's to reserve your seat, 571-970-0517Saturday, August 08, 2026In-person live eventNoon to 4pm
Inkandescent Kids magazine is turning 1! Join us for a children’s book fair at Elaine’sinkandescentkids.eventbrite.comThursday, August 13, 2026In-person live event6-9pm
Paula B. Mays is bringing her mystery series to Elaine’s, “Murder in La Galeria D’Arte — A Marco in Spain Mystery”PaulaMays.eventbrite.comSaturday, August 15, 2026In-person live event12-3pm
Join us for this official Author’s Guild event: International bestseller J.D. Barker is coming to Elaine’s Literary Salon with his new novel, “The Probability of Murder”JDBarker.eventbrite.comSunday, August 16, 2026In-person live event12-3pm
Kenneth Dekleva releases his 4th novel, The Expediterwww.eventbrite.co.ukSaturday, August 22, 2026In-person live event12-3pm
Beka Wueste’s “Human of the Year,” is a gripping tale about a man released from a Maryland prison after nearly 20 years. Join us to learn more about this story of family dynamics, emotional survival, and second chances.BekaWueste.eventbrite.comSunday, August 23, 2026In-person live event12-3pm
You are invited to learn all about this groundbreaking book by Dr. C. Victor Herbin III: “Organizational Arrogance: How Superiority Behaviors Become Cultural Arrogance – And What Every Leader Must Do to Stop It”Thursday, August 27, 2026In-person live event6-9pm
Second wine dinner of the season: Join us for a flight of reds paired with Elaine’s award-winning menu. Please wear red!Call Elaine's to reserve your seats, 571-970-0517Wednesday, September 02, 2026In-person live event6-9pm
Policy expert and political operative Matthew Lavoie brings us his debut thriller novel, “Main Street Fringe”MatthewLavoie.eventbrite.comSunday, September 06, 2026In-person live event12-3pm
Don’t miss our author interview with Wolf Bahren about her newest book: “The Secessionist’s Wife”KristiJanzen.eventbrite.comThursday, September 17, 2026In-person live event6-9pm
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. 17Saturday, September 19, 2026In-person live event10am-4pm
Sign up today for our annual Short Story Seminar with Stacy Woodson and Art TaylorSunday, September 27, 2026In-person live event12-3pm
Tanya Stokes is bringing “The Woman I’m Becoming” to Elaine’s — Your transformation starts here!Thursday, October 29, 2026In-person live event6-9pmSave the Date: Join us for a Halloween to celebrate the new bookstore Hemlock & Hearth
Happy Hour for Writers — the last Wednesday of the month: Join Sisters in Crime Chessie Chapter, the Authors Guild, Mystery Writers of America, Northern Virginia Writer’s Club, Friends to Lovers Bookstore — and more!No reservations needed — We'll meet you at the bar!Thursday, July 30, 2026In-person live event6-9pmWriters Club members: Mark your calendar for our July Write-In at Elaine’sAuthorsGuildWriteIn.eventbrite.comSaturday, August 01, 2026In-person live event12-3pmSave the Date: Saturday, August 1, noon to 3pm — Summer Scent & Stories: Smoke & Fireflies with Hemlock & HearthAug1Hemlock+Hearth.eventbrite.comThursday, August 06, 2026In-person live event6-9pmFirst wine dinner of the season: Take a Tour de France! Join us for a flight of 5 white wines — please wear white!Call Elaine's to reserve your seat, 571-970-0517Saturday, August 08, 2026In-person live eventNoon to 4pmInkandescent Kids magazine is turning 1! Join us for a children’s book fair at Elaine’sinkandescentkids.eventbrite.comThursday, August 13, 2026In-person live event6-9pmPaula B. Mays is bringing her mystery series to Elaine’s, “Murder in La Galeria D’Arte — A Marco in Spain Mystery”PaulaMays.eventbrite.comSaturday, August 15, 2026In-person live event12-3pmJoin us for this official Author’s Guild event: International bestseller J.D. Barker is coming to Elaine’s Literary Salon with his new novel, “The Probability of Murder”JDBarker.eventbrite.comSunday, August 16, 2026In-person live event12-3pmKenneth Dekleva releases his 4th novel, The Expediterwww.eventbrite.co.ukSaturday, August 22, 2026In-person live event12-3pmBeka Wueste’s “Human of the Year,” is a gripping tale about a man released from a Maryland prison after nearly 20 years. Join us to learn more about this story of family dynamics, emotional survival, and second chances.BekaWueste.eventbrite.comSunday, August 23, 2026In-person live event12-3pmYou are invited to learn all about this groundbreaking book by Dr. C. Victor Herbin III: “Organizational Arrogance: How Superiority Behaviors Become Cultural Arrogance – And What Every Leader Must Do to Stop It”Thursday, August 27, 2026In-person live event6-9pmSecond wine dinner of the season: Join us for a flight of reds paired with Elaine’s award-winning menu. Please wear red!Call Elaine's to reserve your seats, 571-970-0517Wednesday, September 02, 2026In-person live event6-9pmPolicy expert and political operative Matthew Lavoie brings us his debut thriller novel, “Main Street Fringe”MatthewLavoie.eventbrite.comSunday, September 06, 2026In-person live event12-3pmDon’t miss our author interview with Wolf Bahren about her newest book: “The Secessionist’s Wife”KristiJanzen.eventbrite.comThursday, September 17, 2026In-person live event6-9pmYou are going to love the first two novels by Michelle Cullen, including, “A Field Guide to Murder” — Meet her at Elaine’s on Sept. 17Saturday, September 19, 2026In-person live event10am-4pmSign up today for our annual Short Story Seminar with Stacy Woodson and Art TaylorSunday, September 27, 2026In-person live event12-3pmTanya Stokes is bringing “The Woman I’m Becoming” to Elaine’s — Your transformation starts here!Thursday, October 29, 2026In-person live event6-9pmSave the Date: Join us for a Halloween to celebrate the new bookstore Hemlock & Hearth