Elaine's Literary Salon

Previous Episodes
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!

Sunday, April 5th, 2026

If you missed our book launch party: Listen to the interview as Noir bestseller Chris Chambers turns the table on show host Jeffrey James Higgins, who is celebrating the release of the last book in his 4-part Nathan Burke series

Hello friends! If you missed the book launch party at Elaine’s Literary Salon on April 2, listen and watch the impressive interview between Jeff and award-winning noir author Christopher Chambers, ChrisChamberNoir.com. Help us celebrate the release of book 4 in the 4-part Nathan Burke series. “I wanted to write a story about what happens when devotion and duty collide, giving my protagonist — FBI Agent Nathan Burke — a heart-pounding challenge to uncover a global conspiracy to save his wife,Click here to listen to the podcast!

Tuesday, March 31st, 2026

Dr. Joan Naidorf offers a challenge to medical professionals in her new book, “Changing How We Think About Difficult Patients: A Guide for Physicians and Healthcare Professionals”

Meet the Author: Dr. Joan Naidorf is a board-certified emergency physician trained at the Philadelphia College of Osteopathic Medicine and Einstein Medical Center Philadelphia. After growing up in Highland Park, NJ, she obtained her undergraduate degree at the University of Virginia. She practiced for nearly thirty years in the busy emergency departments of Inova Alexandria Hospital and Fort Belvoir Community Hospital in Virginia. As an author and speaker, she has been sharing important ideas with students, residents and practicing physicians throughClick here to listen to the podcast!

Tuesday, March 24th, 2026

Poet Bonnie Naradzay says you are “Invited to the Feast” — Join us at Elaine’s for this magical event!

About Bonnie Naradzay: As a mother, professional, teacher, and longtime volunteer, leading poetry sessions in prisons, a retirement community, and among the homeless, Bonnie has gathered much of both the lost and found, culminating in the publication of Invited to the Feast, a collection of poems and literary debut coming in her eightieth year. Her poems appear in AGNI, New Letters (Pushcart Nomination), RHINO, Kenyon Review online, Tampa Review, Florida Review online, EPOCH, Pinch (Pushcart Nomination), American Journal of Poetry,Click here to listen to the podcast!