News
After attending Katherine Schweit’s Author Event, Elaine’s Writers Club member Melody Kramer penned an essay, “Who cares why? We keep asking the wrong questions about school shootings” • Check it out
Join us Oct. 1 for an evening of Bubbles and Bordeaux varietals: 3 full courses + 3 wines = delicious!
Join us for an unforgettable evening: Elaine’s Art Salon is hosting an interview with Mayor Gaskins and several dynamic artists and businesses from the Art in Every Space Initiative
September 14 in The Fairfax Girl: “Inside Elaine’s, Old Town Alexandria’s Restaurant + Literary Salon”
September 7 in The Zebra: “Alexandria Writer Jeffrey Higgins Warns Fellow Authors about AI Ideas — Owner of Elaine’s and its Literary Salon Urges Staying Authentically Human”
Congratulations to Jeffrey James Higgins whose books went international today — Nathan Burke: Das Havanna-Syndrom (German Edition)
The Zebra: “J.D. Barker Shares Writing Secrets For A Bestseller at Elaine’s Literary Salon”
The Zebra: “They Built an ‘AI-Free Zone’ for Kids—And It All Started at a Neighborhood Restaurant”
Alexandria Gazette Packet features Elaine’s: “Higgins — The Spy Who Came In From Chasing Terrorists” and InkandescentKids.com
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
Coming in November: Join us for a flight of 5 reds paired with 3 dishes from Elaine’s award-winning menu. Please wear red!
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
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
Elaine's Writers Club
TONIGHT AT ELAINE’S LITERARY SALON: MONTHLY WRITE-IN WITH JEFFREY JAMES HIGGINS
When: Thursday, October 22, 2026 from 6-9pm
Where: 208 Queen Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314
Get your free ticket: Oct22WriteIn.eventbrite.com
The Author’s Guild, Mystery Writers of America, and Elaine’s Literary Salon invite you to join fellow authors for our monthly Write-In. Elaine’s owner and bestselling thriller novelist Jeffrey James Higgins is also an Author’s Guild Ambassador. “I am thrilled to host the monthly event that brings together authors from all stages of their writing journey.”
Jeffrey James Higgins writes at least 1,000 words each day on his newest novel
Jeff’s gift to you: Elaine’s is offering authors free coffee or soda to keep you going. Come anytime after 6:00 PM to be sure to hit your word count goals. Don’t write alone!
Agenda:
- 6:00-6:30 PM: Social Time
- 6:30-7:15 PM: 45-Minute Timed Write-In
- 7:15-7:30 PM: 15-Minute break
- 7:30-8:15 PM: 45-Minute Timed Write-In
- 8:15-8:30 PM: Join us for Social Time at the bar
Saturday, October 24, 2026In-person live event12-3pm
Alexandria native, author Pete Reilly, pens a love letter to his hometown in his new novel set in the 1970s: “Don’t Drive Left Lane in Alexandria”PeteReilly.eventbrite.comMonday, October 26, 2026In-person live event9pm to midnight
Sold Out: ACOTAR 6 Midnight Release Party — Friends to Lovers bookstoreWednesday, October 28, 2026In-person live event6-9pm
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!Thursday, October 29, 2026In-person live event6-9pmSave the Date: Join us for a Halloween to celebrate the new Alexandria, VA-based bookstore Long Dark House HalloweenatElaines.eventbrite.comThursday, November 05, 2026In-person live event6-9pmComing in November: Join us for a flight of 5 reds paired with 3 dishes from Elaine’s award-winning menu. Please wear red!Nov5redwinedinner.eventbrite.comSaturday, November 07, 2026In-person live event12-3pm
You are going to love book 3 in the series by IP attorney and author Timothy Trainer: “The China Dilemma”Nov7TheChinaDilemma.eventbrite.comSunday, November 08, 2026In-person live event12-3pm
Quillen deBruney is bringing her lyrical, atmospheric, and deeply personal work to Elaine’s Literary SalonQuillendeBruney.eventbrite.comTuesday, November 10, 2026Coming soon to the Elaine’s Literary Salon show208 Queen Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314
Meet Eric Dezenhall, journalist, damage control expert, and author of 12 titles. You’ll be fascinated by his newest non-fiction book, “Wiseguys and The White House”Tuesday, November 10, 2026Coming soon to the Elaine’s Literary Salon show208 Queen Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314
Former Sec. of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez brings us his new book, “Sheer Will: Learning to Lead When There Is No Path”Thursday, November 12, 2026In-person live event6-9pm
Proud caridura Edna Solís is bringing her interactive book, “The Secret Earth Society,” to Elaine’sEdnaSolis.eventbrite.comSunday, November 15, 2026In-person live event12-3pm
A native of Iceland, storyteller and teacher Solveig Eggerz brings us her latest novel, “Sweet Potato”SweetPotato.eventbrite.comSaturday, November 21, 2026In-person live event12-3pm
Dr. Alecia R. Jones brings us “30 Minutes to London: True Stories of Faith, Healing, and Becoming”30MinutestoLondon.eventbrite.comTuesday, November 24, 2026Coming soon to the Elaine’s Literary Salon show
A.D. Metcalfe, VP of the Cape Cod Writers Center and producer for Books and the World, gives us Johnny Alvarez, a precocious young runaway, who knows decay and lawlessness offer camouflage and opportunitySaturday, January 09, 2027In-person live event12-3pm
Award-winning author Elyse Hoffman strives to tell historical tales with new twists, including her latest title, “The God of Nazi-Land Part I”ElyseHoffman.eventbrite.comSaturday, January 16, 2027In-person live event12-3pm
Join us to learn about a powerful debut book by E. Aramide Adedeji, LICSW, LCSW-C, who gives us a practical guide for those recovering from intimate partner violenceAWholeNewWorld.eventbrite.com
Alexandria native, author Pete Reilly, pens a love letter to his hometown in his new novel set in the 1970s: “Don’t Drive Left Lane in Alexandria”PeteReilly.eventbrite.comMonday, October 26, 2026In-person live event9pm to midnightSold Out: ACOTAR 6 Midnight Release Party — Friends to Lovers bookstoreWednesday, October 28, 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!Thursday, October 29, 2026In-person live event6-9pmSave the Date: Join us for a Halloween to celebrate the new Alexandria, VA-based bookstore Long Dark House HalloweenatElaines.eventbrite.comThursday, November 05, 2026In-person live event6-9pmComing in November: Join us for a flight of 5 reds paired with 3 dishes from Elaine’s award-winning menu. Please wear red!Nov5redwinedinner.eventbrite.comSaturday, November 07, 2026In-person live event12-3pmYou are going to love book 3 in the series by IP attorney and author Timothy Trainer: “The China Dilemma”Nov7TheChinaDilemma.eventbrite.comSunday, November 08, 2026In-person live event12-3pmQuillen deBruney is bringing her lyrical, atmospheric, and deeply personal work to Elaine’s Literary SalonQuillendeBruney.eventbrite.comTuesday, November 10, 2026Coming soon to the Elaine’s Literary Salon show208 Queen Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314Meet Eric Dezenhall, journalist, damage control expert, and author of 12 titles. You’ll be fascinated by his newest non-fiction book, “Wiseguys and The White House”Tuesday, November 10, 2026Coming soon to the Elaine’s Literary Salon show208 Queen Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314Former Sec. of Commerce Carlos Gutierrez brings us his new book, “Sheer Will: Learning to Lead When There Is No Path”Thursday, November 12, 2026In-person live event6-9pmProud caridura Edna Solís is bringing her interactive book, “The Secret Earth Society,” to Elaine’sEdnaSolis.eventbrite.comSunday, November 15, 2026In-person live event12-3pmA native of Iceland, storyteller and teacher Solveig Eggerz brings us her latest novel, “Sweet Potato”SweetPotato.eventbrite.comSaturday, November 21, 2026In-person live event12-3pmDr. Alecia R. Jones brings us “30 Minutes to London: True Stories of Faith, Healing, and Becoming”30MinutestoLondon.eventbrite.comTuesday, November 24, 2026Coming soon to the Elaine’s Literary Salon showA.D. Metcalfe, VP of the Cape Cod Writers Center and producer for Books and the World, gives us Johnny Alvarez, a precocious young runaway, who knows decay and lawlessness offer camouflage and opportunitySaturday, January 09, 2027In-person live event12-3pmAward-winning author Elyse Hoffman strives to tell historical tales with new twists, including her latest title, “The God of Nazi-Land Part I”ElyseHoffman.eventbrite.comSaturday, January 16, 2027In-person live event12-3pmJoin us to learn about a powerful debut book by E. Aramide Adedeji, LICSW, LCSW-C, who gives us a practical guide for those recovering from intimate partner violenceAWholeNewWorld.eventbrite.com