Elaine's Literary Salon

Meet the Author: Fascinated by magic since he could imagine pine cones as fireballs, C. R. Rowenson is an award-winning author, blogger, and writing coach that studies magic-building like others study oil-painting. His prime directive is to help all kinds of storytellers craft and repair the magic systems in their stories. You can visit him at crrowenson.com to witness, fuel, or join in his obsession.

About Clark's nonfiction and fiction books:

The Magic System Blueprint: A Fiction Writer's Guide to Building Magic Systems read more...

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Meet the Author: Thomas Dann was born and bred in Memphis, Tennessee, five generations deep in a family fighting the entrenched political machine there. He has spent time variously on the East and Left Coasts, studying creative writing at Stanford, working for years as a felony defense investigator for the Washington, D.C. Public Defender, then lawyer, company builder, and writer, all the while wondering what he wants to do when he grows up. He now lives in Maryland with his wife Melissa and their goofy golden retriever Benji. And he loves the Blues. read more...

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Meet the Author: Brian Thiem is the author of "The Mudflats Murder Club," the first book in the Mudflats Murder Club series, as well as "Red Line," "Thrill Kill," and "Shallow Grave." In his previous life, he spent 25 years with the Oakland Police Department, much of it working Homicide, and retired as a lieutenant. He’s also an Iraq War veteran, retiring from the Army as a lieutenant colonel after 28 years of active and reserve service. He holds an MFA in creative writing and is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, International Thriller Writers, and the Island Writers Network. He lives with his wife, yellow Lab, and Tonkinese cat in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, where he’s also a member of the sheriff department’s Cold Case Team, consisting of retired law enforcement professionals from around the nation who examine unsolved murders. Learn more: brianthiem.com read more...

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Meet the Author: Carter Wilson is the USA Today and Publishers Weekly bestselling author of ten psychological thrillers, known for their emotional intensity, tight pacing, and sinister twists. His work has received starred reviews from every major trade publication, has won multiple awards, and has been optioned for television and film. His 2025 release, Tell Me What You Did, was selected by Barnes & Noble as a national monthly pick.

Carter is also the creator and host of Making It Up, a podcast featuring unscripted conversations with other writers about the unpredictable journey of the creative process. In 2021, he launched Unbound Writer, a company offering coaching, immersive retreats, and online programs for writers at all stages of their careers. A seasoned public speaker and dynamic event moderator, he travels frequently to conferences, festivals, and workshops. He lives in Erie, Colorado. read more...

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Meet the Author: Stacy Woodson is a US Army combat veteran. Memories of her time in the military are often a source of inspiration for her stories. She made her crime fiction debut in Ellery Queen’s Mystery Magazine’s Department of First Stories and won the 2018 Readers Award, the second time in the award’s history a debut took first place.

Awards: Since then, she has placed over 40 short stories in various publications, three winning the Derringer award for excellence in short mystery fiction. (She is a five-time nominee.) Her short fiction has also been nominated for a Macavity Award, Thriller Award, Anthony Award (anthology, co-editor), selected for The Best Mystery Stories of the Year, named a finalist for ScreenCraft’s Best Cinematic Short Story, and adapted for animation. Stacy also writes screenplays and was recently accepted to the Writers Guild Foundation’s Veterans Writing Project. Her pilot script, “Poppins,” was named a Second Rounder in the Drama Teleplay Pilot category in the 2025 Austin Film Festival Script Competition. read more...

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Meet the Author: Eric Grandy was born and raised in Baltimore City and graduated from City College. After graduating from Essex Community College, he was drafted by the Chicago Cubs and played for six years with the team. He went on to a variety of jobs: photographer, lab manager, driver for DHL, and was a warehouse manager. After retirement, he decided to devote himself to writing, producing several short stories and Accidental Paradise, his debut novel. Eric lives in Baltimore with his wife, Rhonda, and daughter, Marti. read more...

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Meet the Author: Karen Marginot is an author and leadership coach who specializes in helping leaders integrate ancient wisdom with their professional authority.

Drawing on her decades-long journey through corporate leadership at companies like Salesforce and Dell, Karen brings rare insight to the challenges women face as they approach the pinnacle of their careers and contemplate their enduring legacy, both professionally and personally. Her story and authentic worldview connect with women in senior positions who worry that they’ve lost their way or are tired of leading like “one of the guys.” Karen’s sought-after workshops and talks offer deep conversations about leadership, purpose, and transformation in the tech and business worlds that honor the purpose of the women doing the work. read more...

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Meet the Author — Dale says: I grew up outside Tampa, Florida and attended the University of Florida, where I graduated from the College of Journalism and Communications (Go Gators!). After graduation, I commissioned in the U.S. Air Force, serving as a logistics officer and war planner. After my military service, I worked in defense and tech before writing full time. I’ve had the opportunity to live abroad and see a large part of the world, thanks to my time in the military, and that’s certainly informed my writing. I currently live in Washington, DC, with my wife and daughters. read more...

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Monisha Longacre is coming to Elaine's Literary Salon in Alexandria, VA on Jan. 11.

Join us for her interview with our podcast/video host Jeffrey James Higgins and enjoy a delicous brunch. Order Monisha's Author's Choice: French toast with a mimosa OR the Egyptian Omelet with a Bloody Mary, and receive a $5 coupon redeemable on your next visit to Elaine's.

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Meet Monisha Longacre: A seasoned operations executive, entrepreneur, in author of "Practical Productivity: A Guide to Surviving Life's Juggling Act." With over three decades of experience scaling and optimizing technology businesses, she brings a uniquely practical approach to both organizational and personal effectiveness. As COO of multiple technology companies, she has consistently driven innovation and growth while maintaining operational excellence. read more...

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