Elaine's Literary Salon

Previous Episodes
Tuesday, May 26th, 2026

Ep58: 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!

Meet the Author: Irene Vinyard Bennett has wide experience as a writer and educational minister. Her debut novel, BATTLE OF THE ARTISANS: Making the Bells of Marquis Yi, won the International Proverse Prize of 2022.  It is the first story about the Bronze-Age Bells of Marquis Yi, a National Treasure of China. An international motivational speaker, workshop leader, and minister, Irene writes and edits academic articles for theological journals in Ukraine and Myanmar, lectures online for Myanmar seminaries, and worksClick here to listen to the podcast!

Thursday, May 21st, 2026

Mark you calendar for July 18: 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!”

Meet the Author: Lynda Allen is a storyteller, author, poet, artist, and listener. She began her career in video post-production and documentary filmmaking before focusing her knack for storytelling on writing. She has written four poetry collections and the Liv Wilde Mysteries, featuring Flashes of Insight (book 1) and Flashes of a Dying Hour (book 2). Lynda is also the author of the Liv Wilde Mysteries, in which menopause is a superpower. “I had to put up with hot flashes every day,Click here to listen to the podcast!

Tuesday, May 19th, 2026

Ep57: Moms, daughters (and anyone interested in belonging, immigration, and body image) — be sure to read Rebecca Morrison’s new book, “The Blue Dress”

Meet the Author: Rebecca Morrison is the author of The Blue Dress, a novel based on her childhood as an Iranian immigrant trying to fit into her new American homeland and her family’s expectations of beauty. Published by Macmillan’s imprint Farrar, Straus and Giroux, the book has received positive reviews from Kirkus Reviews, Publishers Weekly, Booklist, Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books, and School Library Journal. and Rebecca has been featured on Good Morning Washington ABC7. She has written about belonging, immigration, andClick here to listen to the podcast!

Tuesday, May 12th, 2026

Author of the Cold War Thriller series Bill Rapp shares his latest novel, “The Prague Spring,” at Elaine’s Literary Salon

Today at Elaine’s Literary Salon in Alexandria, VA, we are thrilled to bring back to town author Bill Rapp, who began his professional life as an academic, teaching European History at Iowa State University. A graduate of Notre Dame (B.A.), the University of Toronto (M.A.), and Vanderbilt (Ph. D.), Bill has always been particularly intrigued by German history. He says the last 35 years working for the U. S. Government has broadened his perspective to all of Europe and muchClick here to listen to the podcast!

Tuesday, May 5th, 2026

Today at Elaine’s: Jennifer van der Kleut tells us about her journey to write “The Better Mother,” a plot-driven suspense debut about a woman who ends up pregnant after a casual fling — but the father’s girlfriend has sinister intentions

Meet the Author: Jennifer began her writing journey at the age of 10 when she started her own neighborhood newspaper, “The Santa Clara Times,” printed it herself, and walked up and down her street, passing it out to all the neighbors. She graduated from the School of Journalism, Mass Communications, and Public Relations at San Jose State University in Northern California, and went on to have a ten-year career as a journalist. Her works have appeared in countless print andClick here to listen to the podcast!

Tuesday, April 28th, 2026

Wanda Rawlings brings her award-winning series, “A Christian Journey,” to Elaine’s Literary Salon on April 18! Get your free tickets today

Meet the Author: Wanda Rawlings is a Christian fiction author, Bible study teacher, and speaker with over three decades of experience as a civilian Federal employee and a lifelong passion for encouraging spiritual growth through storytelling and the Word of God. She is the creator and facilitator of the Root of the Matter Virtual Women’s Bible Study, a thriving ministry she has led for more than five years, guiding women deeper into their relationship with Christ. Wanda is the author ofClick here to listen to the podcast!

Tuesday, April 21st, 2026

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

About Original Sound: A story about the rhythm of ambition, collaboration, and the price of authenticity. Driven by the pulse and rhythm of Brooklyn and Queens, beat maker Danny Solis may have found his big break when his track is pilfered by pop star Ryan Reed. To keep Danny quiet, Ryan’s manager brokers a deal in which Ryan and Danny will collaborate on a few songs. Their work together introduces Danny to Manhattan’s music scene and leads Ryan to pivotClick here to listen to the podcast!

Tuesday, April 14th, 2026

Ep52: Chandrani Ghosh is bringing her new novel, Heartlines, to Elaine’s Literary Salon. “Think ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ for Indian families,” says the former journalist turned author

Meet the Author: Chandrani Ghosh is a former journalist (Time, Forbes, and Business Standard) who, many years ago, traded her press pass for a carpool one. Now that the carpoolers are drivers, she returns to the page. Drawing on her experiences of growing up in the chaotic worlds of Kolkata and Delhi, spending her twenties in London, Geneva, and Kathmandu, and eventually settling in Washington, Ghosh makes her literary debut with Heartlines. Learn more: cghosh.com About Heartlines: Sharmila Basu hasClick here to listen to the podcast!

Tuesday, April 7th, 2026

Ep 51: Winemaker Daniel Grace brings his literary thriller to Elaine’s — Don’t miss this uncomfortable conversation about history, religion, addiction, crime & punishment

Meet the Author: Daniel Grace is a London-born, California-bred, former owner of an international advertising agency who produces critically acclaimed Tuscan wines at his family winery, Il Molino di Grace, in Panzano-in-Chianti, Italy. He is a storyteller by trade and a mythologist at heart. Daniel splits his time between San Francisco and Tuscany with his wife, three daughters and English Setter. In the Wake of Golgotha is his debut novel. For more, visit danielmarkgrace.com About In the Wake of Golgotha: There isClick here to listen to the podcast!