Meet the Author: Andrew Rubin is a filmmaker, writer, and cofounder of the mental health education company Symptom Media. A graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, where he studied Film Production and History, he has spent over a decade in the trenches of Hollywood development as a screenwriter.

Andrew co-directed the inspirational documentary Ride with Larry, about Parkinson’s, inspired by his father’s battle against the disease. The film’s segment exploring Parkinson’s and medical marijuana received global attention, and helped spark a broader conversation about dignity, treatment, and the role of alternative medicine.

He is also the cofounder and president of Symptom Media, an innovative mental health education platform used by over 500 universities, hospitals and medical schools worldwide to help train students and clinicians and destigmatize mental illness. Andrew lives in California, where he divides his time between San Diego and Los Angeles.

About Hell or High Winter: A contemporary, urban reimagining of the myth of Hermes and Persephone, Hell or High Winter is a supernatural action/adventure with sharp wit and a deep soul. Over the Ages, gods and goddesses have come in and out of fashion. Each deity struggles to cope with their dwindling popularity. Some fade into oblivion, refusing to answer the desperate prayers of mortals as they establish a new identity beneath the stars. Others spend the millennia waiting by the proverbial phone…desperate to be called into service. Hermes and his godly cohorts confront a new challenge—how to survive without constant worship and adoration. It may just be that even mystical beings can become addicted…gods and goddesses are junkies for the thrill of controlling a mortal’s fate. In the digital age of the 21st Century, what the hell is Hermes, Messenger of the Gods, to do? …Because no one is listening. Click here to buy the book!

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.

About the interview:Today’s video podcast led by Elaine’s Literary Salon Host Jeffrey James Higgins icludes Puja Guha, Zakariah Johnson, Curtis Ippolito, and Michael Downing.

Meet Puja Guha on Sunday, Jan. 18 at Elaine’s Literary Salon where she will talk about the anthology and her other novels. Get your free ticket on Eventbrite! More details can be found about Puja and this amazing event at elainesliterarysalon.com.

About the anthology: Our world is changing dramatically before our eyes. Increased average global temperatures have wreaked havoc on ecosystems, economies, and people’s lives. Fires rage. Flood waters rise. Storms and heat waves are occurring out-of-season and are becoming increasingly more dangerous and more frequent.

Author Puja Guha

Neighborhoods are being destroyed. People are losing their lives and livelihoods. Still, some politicians, some pundits, and some corporate oligarchs continue to deny reality and refuse to take responsibility and necessary action to mitigate this existential crisis.

Those who did the least to cause this crisis will suffer the most from its consequences, the authors know. 

In On Fire and Under Water, the new crime fiction anthology from Rock and a Hard Place Press, we explore the intersection of climate change and crime, through the lens of fifteen short stories from some of today’s best crime fiction writers. Edited by Anthony Award-winning author Curtis Ippolito and the editorial team at RHP Press, the stories contained within this anthology peel back the curtain on the ways in which climate change impacts real people in their most desperate hour.

Meet today’s panel of authors: Host Jeffrey James Higgins interviews Puja Guha, Zakariah Johnson, Curtis Ippolito, and Michael Downing

Some say the world will end in fire. Some say flood. In On Fire and Under Water, you get both.

This anthology peels back the curtain on how climate change impacts real people in their most desperate hour. Puja Guha’s story The Devil Doesn’t Live Hand to Mouth showcases this desperation as her protagonist loses everything to a massive storm in Mozambique.

Of the anthology, Jordan Harper, author of She Rides Shotgun and Everybody Knows, says: “Raw, brutal, tender, tragic—these are fifteen stories of people smashed flat by the Invisible Fist, people flailing and fighting against the huge and hidden violence at the center of our world. This is crime fiction that matters, crime fiction that is ready to face what comes next.”

Click here to buy the book.

Meet the authors: C.W. Blackwell, Mary Thorson, Zakariah Johnson, Puja Guha, Colin Brightwell, Priscilla Paton, Christian Emecheta, Raymond J. Brash, Edward Barnfield, Kendall Brunson, Michael Downing, C.E. McKenna, Jim Ruland, Richie Narvaez, Meagan Lucas

Meet the Author: Sean Hagerty is a retired Special Operations Soldier with over 25 years of experience. He spent his younger years training and conducting combat operations with the 1st of the 75th Ranger Regiment. After nine years, in 2005, he was selected for and assigned to a Special Operations unit at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. There he spent sixteen years and finished his military career, retiring as a Sergeant Major. He received several awards and decorations throughout his career including three Bronze Stars. Sean retired from the Department of Defense Science Board as the Senior Advisor to write full-time.

Of the Defense Science Board (DSB), he explains: “It is charged with solving tough, technical, national security problems for the Secretary of Defense, the Deputy Secretary of Defense, the Under Secretaries of Defense, the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and other senior Department officials.”

Author Sean Hagerty with his wife Misty

Sean has combined over 25+ years of service in the Special Operations community and deep-rooted research instincts from years of academic pursuits in history to tell this story. This story was written mostly in the plush seats of the daily Tacketts Mill/Pentagon commuter bus and the shaky bucket seats of the Franconia Springfield/Largo blue metro line. However, a few chapters were written while traveling for work, taking advantage of uninterrupted thoughts on an airliner. One chapter was even written during an evening break while on a business trip aboard the USS Nimitz CVN 68 aircraft carrier out in the Pacific Ocean.

Sean’s wife, Misty, is an Executive Officer at the National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency. Their children, Courtney, Travis, Samantha, and Delaney, all live in the Washington D.C. area and are thriving, growing, and traveling along their own paths.

“Our grandchildren, Rowen, Jameson, and Wren, keep us busy,” Sean shares, noting Cabal came together during evening edits in his home shared with Misty, in Lakeridge, Virginia. Jones Point was the first novel in the Dane Cooper series. Cabal is the second. Learn more here.

About Sean’s new book — Cabal: A Dane Cooper Novel, book 2 Longlisted for the 2025 Chanticleer Clue and Cover Design Awards

Dane Cooper beats against the tide to continue the search for his abducted daughter, Angela. His involvement with The Cabal, a mysterious group of grieving parents, intensifies as their efforts become bolder and more brazen. From a high-profile assault upon sex traffickers in Savannah to a clandestine military operation in Somaliland, Dane brings the fight to those who would harm children. At every turn, members of The Cabal must stay out of the crosshairs of Carl Blanchard’s new FBI task force and Virginia Bureau of Criminal Investigation Special Agents Patterson and Stills. And this time, the Keeper and his disciples are fighting back. The hunters have become the prey as Cabal members are viciously attacked in their homes. The savage killer is a ghost, torturing and murdering them one by one as he moves his way up the hierarchy. Dane, Sam, and Jack race against time to protect their members before the club is eradicated. Nobody is safe. Buy the book.

Jones Point: A Dane Cooper Novel First-place winner of the 2025 Clue Award (Chanticleer International Book Awards)

By day, we’re your neighbors. Your boss. Your teacher. By night, we hunt the monsters who hunt our children. As a Special Operations soldier, Dane Cooper was trained and tested to handle the toughest, most dangerous situations around the world. He was not, however, prepared for the abduction of his daughter. That kidnapping sends him into a downward spiral, the depths of which are unknown even to Dane. But a lifeline is thrown to him by a mysterious cabal, which sees his skills as paramount to helping others. Now investigating other grieving parents’ cases, Dane must conceal his efforts from the zeal of an FBI agent hot on the trail of the vigilante cabal, a dedicated Virginia Bureau of Investigation team, and an elusive network of monsters at the center of it all. Punishing the wicked while searching for his little angel, Dane must also overcome the struggle with his own demons. Buy the book!

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.

Today on the Elaine’s Literary Salon show: Meet author David W. DuBois, a retired U.S. Army soldier who served honorably for 21 years. He is a devoted husband and father of four. In 2022, David was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, a life-altering moment that led him to write his debut book.

David is a passionate advocate for ALS awareness and research. Through his weekly blog, mentoring, and active participation on various ALS organization committees, he offers support and inspiration to others living with the disease. With his background as a Military Policeman and his personal battle against a terminal illness, David brings a raw, firsthand perspective to themes of life, death, and justice.

His book, Beholder Of The Eyes: weaves together the stark realities of ALS, a disease that slowly paralyzes its victims, leaving only their eyes to communicate with a haunting fictional tale of a boy grappling with the traumatic loss of his mother to the same illness. Now completely paralyzed and able to communicate only through his eyes, David continues to share his story and fight for a cure, using the only voice ALS has left him.

About Beholder Of The Eyes:

This psychological thriller, laced with the slow horror of ALS and shocking twists, will leave you clawing at the edges of your sanity.

Clyde is haunted by the soft, fading memory of his mother’s eyes. Their warmth. Their silence. Their absence.

His obsession with finding that same gaze again consumes him. Every day, he searches. Studies. Collects.

So passionate was his quest to find eyes like his mother’s he couldn’t go a day without thinking about their details and expanding his collection. So much so that it drove him to do the unthinkable.

Click here to buy the book.

Find David’s blog here: My ALS Story (more below)

Special thanks to our friend Tony Easlick, owner of the traveling massage company Mobile Tranquility, who works with David and knew we needed to feature him. We are very grateful for the connection!

Meet the face behind the posts

Hello, I am David DuBois and “I AM LIVING WITH ALS” in Springfield, VA.

I’m not scared, I am on a mission. The circumstances I am in are meant to be for a greater good of others. 

I want to share with you my story so we can laugh and cry together while fighting for an ALS cure. 

​People with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) can go from perfectly healthy to quickly being unable to move, swallow, or breathe. It can strike anyone at any time and there is no ALS cure.

The ALS Association is the only national nonprofit organization fighting ALS on every front. Through your gifts, you help us to continue providing hope and help to those in our community living with ALS (PALS) and their caregivers (CALS), while aggressively searching for new ALS Treatments and an ALS cure.

​I am going to do WHATEVER IT TAKES to help The ALS Association make Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) a livable disease, and I’m asking for your help by donating to my Fundraising Page AND following along with my journey since diagnosis.

​Lower right picture is from March 2021, before the first signs set in. Lower left is Nov 2021, upper right Feb 2022, upper left June 2022.

​I have lost over 50lbs as well as muscle mass. I can no long curl 5lbs in my right arm once, compared to my left which I can curl 35 many times. In time, I will lose the strength in my left arm, my legs, and the rest of my body as well. Please help me share my story and fight ALS Causes, ALS Illness & ALS Disease. 

Click here to read more of David’s posts on his blog.

About Elaine’s Literary Salon: Launched in 2023 with the opening of the Alexandria, VA restaurant Elaine’s, our founder is bestselling thriller novelist Jeffrey James Higgins. “I wanted to create a place where authors can come and showcase their work,” he says. In the years since, he has interviewed hundreds of writers — some who share their debut novels, others who have been on the bestseller list for decades. Learn more: ElainesLiterarySalon.com

Meet the Author: Brian Paone, a Massachusetts native displaced to Virginia, has been a published novelist since 2007 and has performed in bands since 1995. Cumulatively, Brian’s novels are primarily speculative fiction, ranging from thrillers to drama to horror to science fiction to fantasy and romance. His bands cover a wide range of different metal and industrial genres and styles. He is also a police detective in Maryland and has been working in law enforcement since 2002. He is a self-proclaimed roller coaster junkie, a New England Patriots fanatic, his favorite color is burnt orange, and he is the proud owner of his dream car—a 1981 DeLorean.

As a musician: Brian intended his first band, Yellow #1, to have the whimsical flavor of synth-pop bands, with the lyrical integrity and vocal intensity of metal bands. Combining the two polar opposites into one sound made for a very debatably interesting sonic landscape. They released their debut album, Bottle of Rain, in 1996. Brian pulled the plug on Yellow#1 in 1997 after another musician approached him to form a more industrial-metal band. This new band would eventually turn into Drop Kick Jesus.

In 2014, Brian breathed life back into the band and worked on a second album. Collaborating with hip-hop producer and rap artist, Darius Malloy (aka RedStryke) from Lakeland, Florida, the second album, Thanks for the Nostalgia, moved away from the avant-garde style of the first album, relied more on programming and keyboards than real drums and guitar, and focused more on a structured pop feel. After recording in both Japan and North Carolina, Yellow #1 released the album in 2016. Read more about his work here: brianpaone.com

About Brian’s Books: 

Brian published his first novel, Dreams Are Unfinished Thoughts, in 2007. In the memoir, he chronicles the trials and tribulations of befriending a drug-addicted rock star. As a die-hard fan of the rock band God Lives Underwater, Brian wins the trust of lead singer David Reilly. This honor comes with its own set of extreme personal highs and devastating shared lows.

Brian published his second novel, Welcome to Parkview, in 2010. The cerebral-horror novel, reviewed as a “Stephen King-meets-The Twilight Zone-style tale,” is an unapologetic journey through a town that thrives on the macabre. A town built on deceit and temptation. A town cursed with soulless transients, unforgiving lovers, and an ominous presence in the shadows beyond.

Most recently, he published his twelfth book, Howlers, in the autumn of 2025. The mocumentary-style comedic novel is a novelization of the cult-classic 1980s horror movie, about a werewolf infestation on the sleepy town of Talbotsville. The Bradshaw brothers must find the origin of the Howlers species and discover what sets them apart from traditional werewolves or watch their town fall at the hands of the cryptids. Celebrating the film’s 39th anniversary, the book is chock-full of crew interviews woven throughout the narrative, like watching the audio commentaries on your favorite B-horror film.

Click here to buy Brian’s books.

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.

Meet Matt Joseph Misetich: A Senior Executive and Partner at Pipeline Media Group, Matt oversees all divisions, including Script, Book, and Film, as well as the management of Pipeline Artists and the implementation of future Pipeline entities.

His industry career started in 2002 as an intern for a talent manager, then as an intern in film development in 2003. And as an intern script reader through all of 2004. . . which ended in 2005—where had landed another prestigious unpaid internship. After several freelance script reading jobs, plus a brief but legitimately educational time in international distribution and media consulting, he began his tenure with Pipeline in 2006, working as a reader until early 2008 when he took over as manager.

In that time, he’s helped launch the careers of several Pipeline writers, including Evan Daugherty (Snow White and the Huntsman), Tripper Clancy (Stuber), Crosby Selander (Bring Me Back), and others who have turned to Pipeline for guidance in their creative aspirations. It’s estimated he’s reviewed over 30,000 pitches, screenplays, pilots, books, and short films over the last two decades. Which he believes has to be a meaningless record of some sort.

Check out Matt’s podcast: How the Arts Were Won

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.

About bestselling author Puja Guha: International Development Consultant. Global Citizen. Author of seven novels and four published short stories. Born into a family of acclaimed Indian architects, Puja traveled with her parents as they worked on projects around the world. After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania, Puja completed her Master’s degree in public policy at Sciences Po and the London School of Economics. Today, she works as an independent consultant on international development programs – primarily in Africa and South Asia – traveling to some of the most economically-challenged countries in the world. Leveraging her scholarship, her ability to speak five languages, and her earnest goal of engendering global economic progress, she continues to learn about, support, and embrace new countries.

“Along my journey, I have been inspired by politics, culture, and writing the Ahriman Legacy series, which takes readers along with me into my imagination enhanced by my experiences,” shares Puja, who has lived in Kuwait, Toronto, Paris, London, and several American cities, including New York, Washington, DC, Philadelphia, and San Francisco. She now lives in the Denver area. Her spy thriller series THE AHRIMAN LEGACY is an Amazon bestseller, and she has been featured on TV and media, including Fox5, Reader’s Digest, and the London Post. She enjoys travel, all things outdoors (especially with her dog Sally), spy movies, and curling up with a good book.

Learn more: pujaguha.com • @authorpujaguha (Instagram/Facebook) • Find all of her books here, on Amazon.

Authors Choice: Brunch Entree — Mediterranean Omelet • Cocktail — Tequila Mockingbird. See the Menu here: https://www.elaines-restaurant.com/me…

Dear guests: Order the Author’s Choice for your meal and cocktail, and get a $5 coupon to redeem on your next visit to Elaine’s!

Register for your free ticket to Elaine’s here: http://pujaguha.eventbrite.com

About Puja’s Books: 

On Fire and Under Water — A Climate Change Crime Fiction Anthology: This anthology peels back the curtain on how climate change impacts real people in their most desperate hour. Puja Guha’s story The Devil Doesn’t Live Hand to Mouth showcases this desperation as her protagonist loses everything to a massive storm in Mozambique. On Amazon.

Ahriman: The Spirit of Destruction (Book 1, THE AHRIMAN LEGACY series): Espionage. Assassins. Middle East. 2021. Three years ago, a traumatic op forced her into a quiet life as an analyst. But after new intel surfaces on a terrorist plot in her hometown of Kuwait, former intelligence agent Petra Shirazi has no choice but to return to the field. Buy it on Amazon.

Road to Redemption (Book 2, THE AHRIMAN LEGACY series): Former spy Petra Shirazi settles into a life in Paris under the alias of Ana Zagini. Her new world comes crashing down after a visit from a former Agency colleague forces her back into fieldwork. On Amazon.

Resurgence of the Hunt (Book 3, THE AHRIMAN LEGACY series): A Former Spy and a Retired Assassin Hunt an Illegal Arms Dealer. Seeking justice for a fallen colleague, operative Carlos Santiago engages the help of an unlikely duo: former spy Petra Shirazi (unbeknownst to him, also Vik’s ex-girlfriend) and the Ahriman, a retired Iranian assassin. On Amazon.

Reckoning from the Shadows (Book 4, THE AHRIMAN LEGACY series): Agent Petra Shirazi is back in another sizzling action thriller to stop an Agency mole… and save a democracy. On Amazon.

Battle for the Veiled City (Book 5, THE AHRIMAN LEGACY series): Former agent Petra Shirazi strikes a deal with the devil. After her partner Kasem Ismaili is arrested for his past as the deadly assassin the Ahriman, former agent Petra Shirazi will do anything to assure his freedom. On Amazon.

Sirens of Memory: After finding out she’s pregnant, Mariam flees her abusive marriage just as the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait begins. Twenty-five years later, she’s living under a new identity, when the past catches up with her. On Amazon.

The Confluence: The Kite Runner meets Monsoon Wedding during revolution in the Middle East. The story of a young woman adopting her son as she brings her estranged family back together in fictionalized Sudan and India. On Amazon.

More Short Stories:

Low Down Dirty Vote — Volume II: Every stolen vote is a crime: This anthology focuses on the dire consequences of election fraud. Puja’s story, Somebody Else’s Game, brings this to light as part of a Russian op to influence elections in Kazakhstan, featuring a character from her The Ahriman Legacy series. On Amazon

Lost and Loaded — A Gun’s Tale (the 509 Crime Anthologies): How does one discarded revolver lead to so much trouble? Follow the gun through one Pacific Northwest summer and find out. A Spy’s Night Out by Puja Guha focuses on an op to gather intel on a drug dealer that takes place at a wedding in the Pacific Northwest. On Amazon.

Down to the River: A collection of twenty crime stories that take place on or near American rivers from some of the strongest voices in crime fiction writing today. As these stories show, rivers are not only sources of life; they can also be scenes of murder and revenge. Puja’s story: Where are the Boats? features a spy on the run who is hunted down during a canoe trip in Utah. On Amazon.

Read samples of Puja’s work:

Contact Puja: [email protected]

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.

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

Your world deserves the best magic system you can dream of. A quality magic system can transform your story from average to unforgettable. But what do you do when your magic system becomes overwhelming? Or if you can’t quite figure out how to make all the pieces work together?

The Magic System Blueprint, by C. R. Rowenson, is a simple magic-building tool that allows authors to quickly map out their magic system. This innovative blueprint will enable authors of every experience level and background to

Whether it be game creation, worldbuilding, or novel writing, having a well-established magic system is the cornerstone of your story. With the Blueprint in hand, you can analyze any system in existence and build every system imaginable.

Restrictions May Apply: Building Limits for Your Magic System:

“Every magic system needs limitations!”

Sounds simple enough, but how do you build limitations that are more than strange quirks or extravagant details? How do you cut through the overwhelming number of options to build limitations that work for your story instead of against it?

Building a magic system doesn’t have to be hard. “Restrictions May Apply: Building Limits for Your Magic Systems,” is a magic building workbook designed to answer those exact questions. Whether you’re starting a magic system from scratch or looking to improve one that’s mostly built, this workbook will help you set the foundation of your magic so you can stop struggling with your magic, start worldbuilding with confidence, and bring back the fun to telling your stories. It’s worked for others and it can work for you too.

I’m C. R. Rowenson and building magic systems for fiction is my specialty. In fact, I was building magic systems for fifteen years before even attempting to write fiction. I’ve poured every bit of my experience into this workbook to help you successfully define your magic limitations and take your stories from good to great.

So, are you ready to tell a great story with an unforgettable magic system? Let’s get started.

Spawn Point (A New Eternity Book 1): Topha’s last chance starts in five…four…three … A chance at immortality, an unpopular world, and hidden forces that want you gone. What’s not to love?

If Topha doesn’t face the harrowing Trial of Wires, she’ll forfeit her dream of becoming an External—an immortal adventurer within the boundless worlds of the Singularity. Her reward for succeeding? Entering a beautiful new world teeming with possibilities and perils. When she arrives, she can’t locate any other Externals. Worse, a fatal encounter exposes Topha’s true nature to the denizens of the planet, and they sentence her to death.

An unlikely alliance with a sharp-tongued, always-hungry serpent made of leaves and vines is her only chance to survive…if they can defeat the looming threat before it destroys Topha’s new home. Otherwise, her first adventure might be her last.

Questline Sabotage (A New Eternity Book 2)

Some prisons have bars. Others have entire cities. Topha thought escaping the monster clan’s prison was the hard part. She was wrong.

Now their elite forces control Titancrest, holding innocent people hostage while they hunt for her. The plant-wielding External has one choice: find allies powerful enough to stand against an army or watch everyone she’s grown to care about pay the price for her freedom.

When betrayal lurks in the highest places, ancient hatreds simmer under the surface, and figures pull strings from the shadows, trust becomes the deadliest gamble of all. Time is running out, and their enemies are closing in.

Will Topha’s desperate plans save Titancrest and her friends from destruction? Or will they be undone by treachery when she least expects it? Experience the heart-pounding twists of QUESTLINE SABOTAGE, where every alliance could be salvation—or the perfect trap.

Click here to buy Clark’s Books!

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.

This week at Elaine’s Literary Salon, we are excited to share our newest interview with critically acclaimed, bestselling author John Gilstrap.

Today, he talks with Elaine’s Literary Salon host Jeffrey James Higgins about his new novels, writing process, and what makes his books so popular with readers.

About the author and his books: When John Gilstrap’s first novel, Nathan’s Run, hit the market in 1996, it set the literary world on fire. Publication rights sold in 23 countries, the movie rights were scooped up at auction by Warner Bros., and John changed professions. A safety engineer by training and education, he specialized in explosives and hazardous materials, and also served 15 years in the fire and rescue service, rising to the rank of lieutenant.

That “first” book was really his fourth, and that one call from an agent (after logging 27 rejections) changed the trajectory of his life. Twenty books and seven movie projects later, it’s been a good run, and it’s still running. But his career track looks more like a sine curve than a rocket ship. There were lots of setbacks along the way. At one point, his writing career appeared to be dead. Then came the comeback. John’s presentation, “Dare to Dream”, tells the story of triumph, disappointment, despair, and finally some long-lasting success.

John has spoken at events across the country, most recently at the Pike’s Peak Writers Conference in Colorado Springs, and Rocky Mountain Fiction Writers in Denver. In February, he will be the keynote speaker at the annual meeting of the California Association of Teachers of English in Los Angeles. His YouTube channel, “A Writer’s View of Writing and Publishing” has over 1,700 subscribers and more are coming aboard every day. Outside of his writing life, John is a renowned safety expert with extensive knowledge of explosives, hazardous materials, and fire behavior. Learn more here: johngilstrap.com.

About Burned Bridges — An Irene Rivers Thriller:Brimming with suspense, intense drama, and riveting intrigue, Burned Bridges plunges readers into a world of hidden threats and unlikely heroes. The creator of the renowned Jonathan Grave thriller series captivates readers again with the release of Burned Bridges, the first novel in a groundbreaking new series.

Known for his electrifying storytelling and gripping narratives, Gilstrap introduces fans to a powerful new protagonist, former FBI Director Irene Rivers, who is ready to take justice into her own hands. A standout character in the Jonathan Grave series, Rivers is the last truly “honest” civil servant. She’s willing to bend, and even break, the rules to restore justice, making her one of modern fiction’s most formidable female protagonists.

“Irene Rivers is a badass female protagonist,” says Gilstrap. “Readers of my Jonathan Grave series will recognize her, but Burned Bridges casts her in a whole new light. She’s done playing by the old rules; now she’s creating her own.”

Gilstrap’s literary journey began with his critically acclaimed debut novel, Nathan’s Run, published in over twenty countries and translated into multiple languages. His remarkable success continued with At All Costs, for which he sold book and movie rights before ultimately leaving his “day job” to pursue writing full-time. With Burned Bridges, Gilstrap embarks on his most compelling series yet, blending his signature suspense with an unflinching look at small-town corruption and justice. With an unparalleled ability to craft heart-pounding narratives, Gilstrap once again delivers a thriller that raises the bar for the genre. Fans of intense, character-driven suspense won’t want to miss this explosive new series. Click here to buy the book!

Movie News: Netflix is in early development on the adaptation of John Gilstrap and Kurt Muse’s Six Minutes To Freedom, the incredible true story of a daring hostage rescue. Jared Rosenberg has been hired to adapt the non-fiction book, which draws on Muse’s harrowing experiences, into a film. It is being produced by Toby Jaffe and his new venture, RDV Films. Read all about it in Variety.

Check out upcoming live 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.

About Elaine’s: Elaine’s modern Mediterranean cuisine is based on exquisite food found in Alexandria, Egypt. The unique style is best described as Middle Eastern with French, Greek, and Italian influences. Elaine’s is located at 208 Queen Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314. The 1880 building, the previous home of Bilbo Baggins for 38 years, has been completely renovated with a new look and feel. The restaurant is located in the heart of Old Town’s Historic District within sight of the Potomac River. Founders Park, The Torpedo Factory Art Center, and Old Town Alexandria Waterfront are only blocks away. Elaine’s is named after the owner’s grandmother. When the owner was twelve years old in Cairo, Egypt, she promised her grandmother that she would someday own a restaurant and name it after her. The owner proudly shares her family’s recipes with the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Make a reservation today: elaines-restaurant.com.

Watch the interview on Inkandescent.tv!

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.

About Midnight in Memphis: In this Southern noir, two detectives forge an unlikely alliance as they strive to bridge the racial divide and catch a killer hell bent on revenge. 

Set against a historical backdrop of mid-century racial inequality and political turmoil, this thriller is perfect for fans of William Kent Krueger and Greg Iles.

1955, Memphis. Homicide detective Burdett Vance is trying to outrun his past, but working in the homicide division always ends up bringing in new waves of horror. Now an unknown killer is reaping retribution for decades of lynching by targeting the daughters of rich white families in Memphis. When Vance is assigned to the case, he’s also put in charge of a new trainee, Officer Eustace Johnson.

Eustace Johnson has been recently “promoted” and as one of the few Black men on the force this is the latest publicity stunt of the police department. Forced to work together, Vance and Johnson must catch the rampaging killer in a city roiling with racial injustice and a fight to control the crumbling local politics.

Then Emmeline Bryce, Vance’s old flame, becomes the killer’s next target. With Emme’s life on the line, Vance and Johnson must confront their deepest fears and darkest desires before the city ignites into chaos and the blissful vision of a better future disappears forever.

Readers of James Lee Burke will delight in this bitingly smart thriller full of intrigue and age-old animosities.

Click here to buy Midnight in Memphis.

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.