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Ep57: This week on Elaine's Literary Salon show — Learn why moms, daughters, and anyone interested in belonging, immigration, and body image, should read Rebecca Morrison's new book, "The Blue Dress"

Listen to the podcast on Inkandescent Radio Ep56: If you missed it, check out our interview with Bill Rapp and learn more about his distinguished military and writing career Author of the Cold War Thriller series, Bill Rapp, shares his latest novel from his Cold War Series, “The Prague Spring,” at Elaine’s Literary Salon

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Welcome to Elaine’s Literary Salon, located at the award-winning Egyptian restaurant Elaine’s: 208 Queen Street, Alexandria VA 22314

We are the top spot in the DMV to meet bestselling authors, as well as and those new to the writing trade. Our mission is to help readers learn about the newest books they’ll want to gobble up in a single sitting. For writers, we share the journey to becoming published writers.

“Since my wife Cynthia and I opened Elaine’s Restaurant in 2023, I have interviewed hundreds of authors,” says Salon host Jeffrey James Higgins, the bestselling thriller novelist who brings tremendous insights and experience to each conversation.

A retired supervisory special agent who writes thrillers, short stories, creative nonfiction, and essays, Jeff has wrestled a suicide bomber, fought the Taliban in combat, and chased terrorists across five continents. He received the Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Heroism and the DEA Award of Valor. (Read more about Jeff below.)

Check out all of the episodes of Elaine’s Literary Salon on our Authors page! Be sure to watch our video interviews on our YouTube channel, and listen to our Podcasts on Apple, Spotify, and iHeart Radio.

These are some of the Authors who have graced the stage at Elaine’s:

David McCloskey • Alma Katsu • Hank Phillippi Ryan • Mark Greaney • Reed Farrel Coleman • John Gilstrap • I.S. Berry • LynDee Walker • Traci Hunter Abramson • E.A. Aymar • T.R. Hendricks • Rob Hart • Robin Conventon • S.A. Cosby • Jeff Markowitz • Tim Trainer • Karen Leggett • Mike Henrich • Bob McGee • Bill Rapp • Dr. Mark • Christopher Chambers • Glenn Cook • Christine Kessides • REv. Robert Flanagan • Sarah DeBlock • Tom Milani • Thomas Young • Joe Relk • James Stejskal • Michael Slavin • Mark Thielman • Judy Murray • Katie King • Andrea Walton • Jonathan Payne — and that’s just in the last few months! Check out our Upcoming Events to see who’s coming in next!

Bestselling thriller novelist Jeffrey James Higgins, host of Elaine’s Literary Salon podcast + video show

Dear Authors: You are invited to be featured at Elaine’s Literary Salon

We’d love to share your new work with the world at Elaine’s Literary Salon. Start by clicking here to book your interview with Jeff today.

Meet our host: Jeffrey James Higgins is a retired supervisory special agent who writes thrillers, short stories, creative nonfiction, and essays. He has wrestled a suicide bomber, fought the Taliban in combat, and chased terrorists across five continents.

Jeffrey 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 one of Black Rose Writing’s bestselling thrillers, and The Forever Game was selected as one of the best medical thrillers of the 21st century. Severn River Publishing launched four books in the Nathan Burke international thriller series, and Library Journal selected The Havana Syndrome as one of the best books of 2025.

Jeffrey owns Elaine’s Literary Salon in Alexandria, VA, where he counsels writers, interviews authors, and hosts a podcast. He’s an Authors Guild ambassador for the DC area and a frequent panelist at conferences and book festivals. Jeffrey’s an active member of International Thriller Writers, Sisters in Crime, The Northern Virginia Writers Club, and the Royal Writers Secret Society. Discover his writing at: JeffreyJamesHiggins.com

Hope Katz Gibbs, PR director, Elaine’s Literary Salon • founder, InkandescentPR.com

Collaborations are the key to success

In 2024, Jeff joined forces with InkandescentPR.com founder Hope Katz Gibbs to produce and promote his author interviews on the Elaine’s Literary Salon podcast and video show. Hope’s websites get more than 1 million hits/month, and she has 50K+ social media contacts. All of Elaine’s Literary Salon videos are featured on our YouTube channel Inkandescent.tv, and the podcasts blast out to thousands of listeners on InkandescentRadio.com, Spotify, Apple, iHeart Radio, and of course, on ElainesLiterarySalon.com.

About Hope and her Inkandescent mission: “Our goal is to shine a light on as many authors as possible — of course, so that many readers can learn about their books — and also to inspire more writers to bring that book inside them to life,” says Hope, author of PR Rules: The Playbook, Why Divorce: 5 Reasons to Leave, and her upcoming anthology, Walking on the Beach with Natalie.

In addition to PR, marketing, and website development, Hope’s company publishes books, including these recent titles: The Secret Sauce by longtime Superintendent Dr. Peter Noonan, Wealth Management Rules by award-winning financial planner Marguerita Cheng, and its sequel, Diary of CFP Pro. Find more Inkandescent® Books here: InkandescentPublishing.com.

Eat, Drink and be very Merry

About Elaine’s Restaurant: Since March 2023, diners have been wowed by the award-winning Mediterranean dishes and cocktails at Elaine’s. Based on exquisite food found in Alexandria, Egypt — a combination of Middle Eastern with French, Greek, and Italian — Elaine’s is named for the owner’s grandmother and is based on a promise she made at the age of 12, growing up in Cairo.

“I promised my grandma I would someday own a restaurant and name it after her,” shares Cynthia, who is also a bestselling author. She and Jeff are proud to share the family’s recipes with new friends and families in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Located in an 1880s building, it was the previous home for 38 years of the beloved bistro Bilbo Baggins. The newly renovated restaurant is located in the heart of Old Town’s Historic District, within sight of the Potomac River and Founders Park, just a few blocks from The Torpedo Factory Art Center and Old Town Alexandria Waterfront. Reserve your table at Elaine’s today: elaines-restaurant.com.