Read

Private Event: West Point Society of DC is bringing three authors to Elaine’s Literary Salon

When: Thursday, October 15, 2026 from 11:30am to 1pm

Where: 208 Queen Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314

Elaine’s Literary Salon welcomes the esteemed members of the West Point Society of DC to this upcoming luncheon event, featuring a panel discussion with three members who are also acclaimed authors. See their details below.

Agenda for our event:

11:30am — Welcome, be seated, and enjoy our delicious buffet of sandwiches, salads, and dessert selections from our award-winning menu.
Noon — Our panel discussion begins with the three members who have written fascinating books
12:45 — Guests ask questions of the authors and buy their books.

Meet the authors:

MyLinh Brewster Shattan — West Point Class of 1991: Author of the newly released memoir Raising Athena, MyLinh Brewster Shattan shares her journey as a woman at West Point and reflects on the evolution of women’s experiences at the Academy across generations. Her story comes full circle through the experience of her own daughter at West Point three decades later. Raising Athena is gaining significant attention following its release. Learn more: treehouseletter.com

Dr. Michael Lewis — West Point Class of 1984: Dr. Michael Lewis is an internationally renowned physician, researcher, and speaker specializing in brain health. He is the bestselling author of When Brains Collide: What Every Athlete and Parent Should Know About the Prevention and Treatment of Concussions and Head Injuries. He is also the founder of the 501(c)(3) nonprofit Brain Health Education and Research Institute, dedicated to helping patients recover as quickly and fully as possible from traumatic brain injuries while educating others about optimizing lifelong brain health. Learn more: drmichaellewismd.com

Joe Relk — Army Veteran & Former Foreign Service Officer: Joe Relk is an Army veteran, former Foreign Service Officer, and author whose work draws on a distinctive combination of military service, diplomacy, conflict, imagination, and firsthand experience overseas. He is the author of the science-fiction series Sins of the Saviors and the photographic book Afghanistan Through the Humvee Window, offering readers perspectives shaped by both lived experience and storytelling. Learn more: JoeRelk.com

About the organization: The West Point Society of DC and the National Capital Region (WPSDC) is an active alumni organization that connects graduates, cadets, and friends of the United States Military Academy (USMA) living in the Washington, D.C. area. Its mission is to build a strong, professional, and connected community among local West Point graduates while supporting the broader “Long Gray Line” and service initiatives. The society hosts regular gatherings including luncheons, networking events, and an annual Founders Day celebration. Find upcoming announcements, connect with leadership, or register for events through the official West Point Society of DC Facebook page or the West Point AOG Sallyport Portal.

Elaine's Writers Club

THIS WEEK AT ELAINE’S

READERS + WRITERS: Policy expert and political operative Matthew Lavoie brings us his debut thriller novel, Main Street Fringe,” on Sept. 2, 6-9pm.

Here’s the story: After a government vendetta destroys his career, a police detective goes undercover, as himself, infiltrating a world of paranoia and radicalization — with no protection for the ones he loves most.

ESPIONAGE + POLITICS is the topic for our brunch interview on Sunday, Sept. 6: Wolf Bahren is the pen name used by the writer Kristi Bahrenburg Janzen for her fiction. The Secessionist’s Wife is her third thriller.

A lover of spy stories since childhood, she published her first novel, Agents of Suzharia, in 2016, and then Source of Deceit in 2020. She teaches in the University Writing Program at GW, and began her writing career as a financial news journalist for AP-Dow Jones in New York, Germany, and Washington, DC.

ELAINE’S WELCOMES ART IN EVERY SPACE

Alexandria Mayor Alyia Gaskins’ Project brings us this beautiful painting by artist Alfa Tate O’Neill. Read all about it!

ELAINE’S LITERARY SALON IS IN THE NEWS

This week in The Zebra: J.D. Barker Shares Writing Secrets For A Bestseller at Elaine’s Literary Salon, by reporter Lisa-Helene Lawson

Many thanks to reporter Shirley Ruhe for her insightful article about Jeff Higgins’ celebrated career that took him from awarded DEA agent to besellling thriller novelist and restauranteur. She also shined a light on InkandescentKids.com, the project to teach kids to think critically like a reporter — founded by Elaine’s PR director, Hope Katz Gibbs. Check it out in the August 5 issue of the Alexandria Gazette Packet