Elaine’s Literary Salon: Meet the authors behind the books

Most Recent Podcast

April 14 2026

Elaine's Literary Salon
Elaine's Literary Salon
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
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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 has curated the perfect life. He is the one variable she never planned for. As an Indian American political journalist, Sharmila appears to be living the ultimate American Dream: a high-powered career, vintage wardrobe, and a swanky home in the power corridors of Washington, DC. She lives with her boyfriend, America’s reigning heartthrob and favourite TV news anchor, Lionel Stern. Even Lionel’s notoriously icy mother has welcomed her into the fold.

“Heartlines,” by Chandrani Ghosh

But for the daughter of an Indian Foreign Service attaché, who spent her childhood traversing the globe before finally settling in the US, the word “predictable” is a dangerous one and stability an illusion. At a high-profile awards gala, Sharmila’s orderly world is upended by a chance encounter with a group of vibrant Indian Americans – specifically, Jake Thacker. A math savant turned tech mogul, Jake possesses a gravitational pull that Sharmila can’t ignore. Sparks fly. Lines blur. And suddenly, everything she has felt certain about feels negotiable.

As kismet begins to unravel her carefully constructed reality, a darker threat looms. Beneath Sharmila’s poised exterior lies a secret from her past, one that no longer intends to stay buried. When her past threatens to become national headlines, Sharmila must decide if she is willing to let her world implode to finally find her own truth. From the gala circuits of DC and the quiet porches of Iowa City to the sun-drenched streets of San Sebastian in Spain, this is a love triangle unlike any other.

Click here to buy Heartlines.

Click here to read the Feb. 15 feature in The American Bazaar spotlighting Chandrani, her new book, and her journey to becoming an author.

About our Elaine’s Literary Salon Host, Jeffrey James Higgins: 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. Jeffrey has been interviewed by CNN, National Geographic, and The New York Times. Learn more: jeffreyjameshiggings.com

Find more of Elaine’s Literary Salon events here. And check back for new episodes of Elaine’s Literary Salon on Inkandescent.tv and listen to all the podcasts on InkandescentRadio.com.

Elaine’s Literary Salon

About Elaine’s Restaurant:  A menu filled with delicious modern Mediterranean cuisine selections is sure to please everyone in your party. The dishes are inspired by exquisite food from Alexandria, Egypt — a blend of Middle Eastern and French, Greek, and Italian influences. 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 an author. She and her husband, bestselling thriller novelist Jeffrey James Higgins, are proud to share my 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. Make a reservation today: elaines-restaurant.com.

Current Number of Episodes: 80

Welcome to ElainesLitearySalon.com!

Bibliophiles will love this new show — live from the popular bistro Elaine’s in Old Town, Alexandria VA. Our host is the restaurant’s owner, Jeffrey James Higgins, a prolific author who is on a mission to help his fellow writers share their stories. Check out the live Literary Salon events here. And check back for new episodes of Elaine’s Literary Salon on Inkandescent.tv and InkandescentRadio.com.

About our Elaine’s Literary Salon Host Jeffrey James Higgins: By day, Jeff manages Elaine’s, the award-winning Alexandria, VA restaurant he opened with his wife Cynthia in 2022. 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.

He has been interviewed by CNN, National Geographic, and The New York Times. He’s a #1 Amazon bestselling author with 21 literary awards, including the Claymore Award, PenCraft’s Best Fiction Book, and a Reader’s Favorite Gold Medal. He has been a panelist at ThrillerFest, Killer Nashville, Creatures, Crimes, and Creativity, and other conferences.

Black Rose Writing published his first three novels, FURIOUS, UNSEEN, and THE FOREVER GAME. Severn River Publishing has acquired Jeffrey’s forthcoming Nathan Burke espionage series. Jeffrey is an active member of the Authors Guild, the Virginia Writers Club, International Thriller Writers, Sisters in Crime, and the Royal Writers Secret Society. He’s represented by Jackson Keeler at Inkworks. Learn more about Jeff’s books: JeffreyJamesHiggins.com.

Click here to check out Jeff’s affordable book writing services to help authors everywhere make their book publishing dreams come true. 

And meet the PR Director for Elaine’s Literary Salon, InkandescentPR.com’s founder, Hope Katz Gibbs. With her team of award-winning journalists, illustrators and video producers, they help writers up their PR and marketing game with professionally produced podcasts on InkandescentRadio.com, the video version on Inkandescent.tv, a strong social media push, and more! Learn more: InkandescentPR.com.

Previous Episodes
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!

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

Elaine's Literary Salon
Elaine's Literary Salon
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
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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!

Elaine's Literary Salon
Elaine's Literary Salon
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"
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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!

Elaine's Literary Salon
Elaine's Literary Salon
Poet Bonnie Naradzay says you are "Invited to the Feast" — Join us at Elaine's for this magical event!
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Tuesday, March 17th, 2026

Podcaster and award-winning author Elizabeth Bruce talks about “Universally Adored & Other One Dollar Stories”

Meet the Author: Elizabeth Bruce’s collection, Universally Adored and Other One Dollar Stories (Vine Leaves Press, 2024), won the 2025 IBA Short Story Award and Literary Titan Gold Award in Fiction, as well as an IAN Book of the Year Finalist distinction. Her debut novel, And Silent Left the Place, won Washington Writers’ Publishing House’s Fiction Prize, as well as a ForeWord Magazine Bronze Prize and the Texas Institute of Letters’ Finalist Award. She’s published in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand,Click here to listen to the podcast!

Elaine's Literary Salon
Elaine's Literary Salon
Podcaster and award-winning author Elizabeth Bruce talks about "Universally Adored & Other One Dollar Stories"
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Tuesday, March 10th, 2026

March 21: Writer’s — Sign up for Elaine’s Literary Salon Workshop, “Becoming a Master Writer” with John DeDakis

Click here to sign up today for the March 21 workshop with John DeDakis! Course Description: A series of topic-specific workshops designed to drill deeper into the finer points of storytelling. Writing exercises will help you hone your skills and give you the confidence to take your writing to the next level. Deep Listening for Writers: A writer is an observer first, last, and always. This session is an invitation to consider every interaction as an opportunity to follow one’sClick here to listen to the podcast!

Elaine's Literary Salon
Elaine's Literary Salon
March 21: Writer's — Sign up for Elaine's Literary Salon Workshop, "Becoming a Master Writer" with John DeDakis
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Friday, March 6th, 2026

Rebecca Morrison brings her accliamed YA novel, “The Blue Dress,” to Elaine’s Literay Salon! Don’t miss this book talk about being an immigrant trying to fit into a new American homeland, and a family’s expectations of beauty

When: Sunday, April 26, 2026 from 12-3pm Where: 208 Queen Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314 Get your free ticket: RebeccaMorrison.eventbrite.com 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 will be available for purchase on March 24. The book has already received positive reviews fromClick here to listen to the podcast!

Elaine's Literary Salon
Elaine's Literary Salon
Rebecca Morrison brings her accliamed YA novel, "The Blue Dress," to Elaine's Literay Salon! Don't miss this book talk about being an immigrant trying to fit into a new American homeland, and a family’s expectations of beauty
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Tuesday, March 3rd, 2026

History comes alive at Elaine’s Literary Salon: Irene Bennett shares her new novel, “Battle of the Artisans,” which portrays the making of the very real Bells of Marquis Yi, a 2500-year-old National Treasure of China

When: Saturday, May 02, 2026 from 12-3pm Where: 208 Queen Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314 Sign up for your free ticket on Eventbrite: IreneBennett.Eventbrite.com 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, workshopClick here to listen to the podcast!

Elaine's Literary Salon
Elaine's Literary Salon
History comes alive at Elaine's Literary Salon: Irene Bennett shares her new novel, "Battle of the Artisans," which portrays the making of the very real Bells of Marquis Yi, a 2500-year-old National Treasure of China
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