Elaine's Literary Salon

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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Check out our commercial (above) with author Jonathan Payne: A British-American writer based in New York City, Jonathan's first novel, CITIZEN ORLOV, was named a Book of the Month by Apple Books. It won the 2024 IBPA Silver Medal for Mystery/Thriller and the 2024 IPPY Bronze Medal for Suspense/Thriller. Payne previously worked in national security for the British government. He holds a Master of Arts degree in Novel Writing from Middlesex University, London. His short fiction has been featured at the North London Story Festival and in magazines including Turnpike, Twist In Time, and Fiction Kitchen Berlin. Learn more: jonathanpayne.org read more...

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About My Clavicle: And Other Massive Misalignments — On an international flight to a conference, the author Marta Sanz notices a tiny bump beneath her skin, just below her clavicle, near her breastbone. So begins an inquiry that is at turns a satirical detective story, a philosophical inquiry, a memoir, and pure poetry. In Spanish, the title is Clavícula, which refers to the collarbone, but also makes a direct pun on the word clavé or key. In the aftermath of Marta’s discovery, we realize that something fundamental has changed for her, and that whatever has happened, however elusive, it is something very real. At the same time, the mystery is reflected in everything the author encounters, but especially in the bodies of women, and particularly in those of a certain age. read more...

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Meet our guest: Be the change you wish to see is the mantra for author and HR exec Andrea Walton, MBA, Founder & CEO, The Concrete Rose Scholarship Foundation, Alexandria, VA & Cape Town, South Africa

Who she is: Andrea Walton is a seasoned HR executive, published author, and purpose-driven philanthropist committed to building pathways to education for Black and Brown girls around the world. As Founder and CEO of The Concrete Rose Scholarship Foundation, Andrea leads with a deeply personal mission-having once been a teen mom who earned her GED before climbing the ranks to become a Chief People Officer in the biotech and education sectors. read more...

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Meet the Author: Judy Murray is a real estate broker with a not-so-secret passion for deals, divas, and danger. Her passion for mysteries began with smart girls like Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden, grew deeper with not-to-be-ignored women like Miss Marple and Nora Charles, and finally evolved into her own gutsy heroine - Helen Morrisey.

Judy incorporates her extensive knowledge of all things real estate with a passion for the Chesapeake Bay where she now lives at Buoy Two with her husband, fellow real estate agent, and landscape architect John. Their daughter Meghan is a beauty and home design expert and her twin brother John is an attorney working in law enforcement. Learn more: judylmurraymysteries.com read more...

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