Elaine's Literary Salon

Meet the Author: Richard H. Smith, MSc., is a futurist, technologist, and science policy expert whose career spans more than 30 years at the forefront of emerging technology and strategic forecasting. He has worked alongside scientists, engineers, Fortune 50 companies, and U.S. and international governments on issues ranging from nanotechnology and artificial intelligence to healthcare innovation and climate change.

Richard has served as a research director at a major university medical center, founded multiple technology companies, and advised organizations on how disruptive technologies reshape societies, markets, and governance. He was formally trained in climate change science by Al Gore and continues to teach courses on sea-level rise and climate futures.

Raised in Virginia, he built his professional life while raising a family—an experience that deeply influences the emotional stakes of his fiction. He now resides in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, a coastal community already experiencing the effects of rising seas and intensifying storms.

“WhiteGrass,” by Richard Smith

WhiteGrass is his first full-length novel and represents the culmination of his professional and personal journey. It is paired with a prequel, The Iliad Virus, with a sequel, Icarus Rising, currently in development.

He writes with a clear purpose: To explore the real consequences of climate change, the moral risks of advanced technology, and the uncomfortable truth that saving the world may require confronting who controls it.

About the Book: 2048. The climate is collapsing. Power is consolidating. Humanity is running out of time. After a devastating superstorm nearly kills their family, teenagers Jimmy and Lizzie Marshall push their father, nanoscientist Greg Marshall, to release WhiteGrass—a revolutionary nanotechnology capable of removing carbon from the atmosphere at a planetary scale.

WhiteGrass could reverse climate change. It could also grant absolute power to whoever controls it.

With his wife Ginny, a leading AI expert, Greg reprograms the world’s most advanced humanoid android, Valada, to help safeguard the technology. Designed as property, Valada begins to evolve—developing emotional awareness, moral reasoning, and a conscience that challenges the very definition of humanity.

As global systems fracture, a shadowy alliance of political leaders, corporations, and oligarchs moves to seize WhiteGrass by any means necessary. Surveillance closes in. Violence escalates. A rival android is deployed.

Now the Marshalls must fight not only to protect the technology—but to save each other. “We call it ‘Climate Change,’ because it’s not just the heat.” Click here to buy WhiteGrass.

Bestselling thriller novelist Jeffrey James Higgins, host, Elaine’s Literary Salon

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: jeffreyjam

This week on Elaine’s Literary Salon: Meet popular motivational speaker and New York Times Bestselling author Don Mann. A retired Navy SEAL Team SIX who, for the last two decades, has delivered compelling presentations that have inspired business leaders, military and government personnel, and professional athletes. The lessons he shares during his presentations are born from his colorful and action-packed life as a SEAL, his experiences competing in some of the world’s most grueling competitions, and his experience in the business world: usfrogmann.com.

Our host, Jeffrey James Higgins, interviews Don about his career, journey to being a bestselling author, and his newest book — The Navy SEAL Playbook: Master the Mindset of Elite Warriors with Don Mann, USN SEAL (Ret.).

In this tome, readers will discover how the world’s toughest warriors train their minds and bodies to overcome any challenge. Navy SEALs represent the pinnacle of military excellence, combining extraordinary physical conditioning with unbreakable mental fortitude. This playbook reveals the systematic approach these elite operators use to perform at the highest level when everything is on the line.

Learn battle-tested strategies for leadership, teamwork, and mental toughness from Don Mann, a decorated Navy SEAL veteran with decades of experience in the most demanding special operations environments. These aren’t theoretical concepts—they’re proven methods refined through real combat missions and high-stakes scenarios.

Transform your approach to pressure, adversity, and success with practical lessons rooted in real SEAL missions. Whether you’re leading a business team, competing in athletics, or pursuing personal excellence, the SEAL mindset provides a framework for achieving extraordinary results under any conditions.

The principles inside this playbook have been pressure-tested in the world’s most challenging environments. Now, they’re available to help you develop the same resilience, focus, and leadership capabilities that define America’s most elite warriors.

Don’s military biography includes: Being a decorated combat veteran; Corpsman; SEAL Special Operations Technician; jungle survival, desert survival, and arctic survival instructor; small arms weapons instructor, foreign weapons instructor, armed and unarmed defense tactics, advanced hand-to-hand combat instructor; and Survival, Evade, Resistance and Escape Instructor; in addition to other credentials.

“When Osama bin Laden was assassinated, the entire world became fascinated by the men who had completed the seemingly impossible mission that had dogged the U.S. government for over a decade,” shares Don, noting that SEAL Team SIX became synonymous with heroism, duty, and justice. “Only a handful of the elite men who make up the SEALs, the U.S. Navy’s best and bravest, survive the legendary and grueling selection process that leads to SEAL Team SIX, a group so classified it technically does not even exist. There are no better warriors on earth.”

Don knows what it takes to be a brother of these ultra-selective fraternities. As a member of SEAL Team SIX he worked in countless covert operations, operating from land, sea, and air, and facing shootings, decapitations, and stabbings. He was captured by the enemy and lived to tell the tale, and he participated in highly classified missions all over the globe, including Somalia, Panama, El Salvador, Colombia, Afghanistan, and Iraq.

Since retiring, Don has written

Meet the Author: Lynda Allen is a storyteller, author, poet, artist, and listener. She began her career in video post-production and documentary filmmaking before focusing her knack for storytelling on writing. She has written four poetry collections and the Liv Wilde Mysteries, featuring Flashes of Insight (book 1) and Flashes of a Dying Hour (book 2). Flashes of Fire and Fury (book 3) is now available.

Lynda is also the author of the Liv Wilde Mysteries, in which menopause is a superpower. “I had to put up with hot flashes every day, I figured I might as well make them useful!”

Lynda shares: “I proudly infuse my writing with my Jersey Girl sensibilities and aim to create stories imbued with heart and humor. I live in Fredericksburg, VA, where the Liv Wilde mysteries are set, with my husband, our cat, and the many incredible eagle friends who pay us frequent visits. When I’m not writing about hot flash-induced psychic visions, I also write poetry and create art.” Learn more: lyndaallenwrites.com

Author Lynda Allen brings us “Flashes of Fire and Fury

About Lynda’s books

Flashes of Fire and Fury (Liv Wilde Mysteries Book 3)

There’s a witch hunt underway, and Liv Wilde is one of its targets.

Liv knew it would be impossible to hide her menopausal superpower in a small town, but she never imagined the unwanted attention it would attract.

Now, her hot flash-induced psychic visions have put her in the sights of a religious fanatic, who sends Liv a series of letters quoting increasingly disturbing biblical punishments for witches.

More unwanted attention arrives in the form of Mando Jimenez, a superstitious local baseball player who’s convinced he’s being cursed and that only Liv can help him break it.

Amid the threats and curses, Liv is haunted by visions of a woman being attacked in the woods and left to die in a fire. When her visions become reality and the threats hit closer to home, Liv and her friends race to discover if the letter writer and the attacker are the same person, before other women with supernatural abilities are targeted.

With all the chaos in Liv’s life, the appearance of some welcome attention from a handsome man, only complicates matters.

To protect herself and her daughters, bring the witch hunt to an end, and break Mando’s curse, Liv must put faith in her visions and learn a new way to access her insights.

“Flashes of a Dying Hour,” by Lynda Allen

Flashes of a Dying Hour (Liv Wilde Mysteries Book 2)

What if menopause gave you a superpower?

Menopause unlocked a previously unknown superpower for Liv Wilde – psychic visions during hot flashes. While her visions rarely have life and death consequences, for the first time, Liv sees a dead body in a premonition. When she comes face-to-face with the man while he’s still very much alive, Liv grapples with w

Meet the Author: Kerri Hagerty is a dedicated law enforcement officer who has proudly served her community for over 20 years. Through roles ranging from patrol officer to detective, she has received several awards, including Officer of the Year, Officer of the Month, two Life Saving Awards, and numerous public commendations.

Beyond the badge, Kerri is also an accomplished children’s book author. Inspired by her real-life adventure dog, Olive, her stories chronicle their surfing and camping escapades. Through Olive’s journeys, Kerri teaches young readers valuable lessons about overcoming their fears and the power of friendship.

“The Adventures of Olive,” by Kerri Hagerty

When she isn’t in uniform or writing, Kerri is a true outdoor enthusiast. Whether she is catching waves, solo backpacking through remote wilderness, or exploring new corners of the globe, she finds her greatest inspiration in nature. Kerri lives the very lessons she writes about-continually seeking adventure, overcoming fear, and embracing the beauty of this world.

“Olive Goes Camping,” by Kerri Hagerty

About the Books: The author and the real-life Olive live in their very own version of Sandy Cove. They actually surf, hike, camp and go on an assortment of adventures together. The Adventures of Olive and the Very Best Day Ever series was inspired by the timid little puppy who grew up to become the ultimate adventure dog and woman’s very best friend. Olive’s joy and zest for life touches everyone she meets; we hope she inspires you and brings joy to your day!

Click here to buy the books: hang20books.com

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 renova

When: Saturday, August 15, 2026 from noon to 3pm

Where: 208 Queen Street, Alexandria, Virginia 22314

We welcome debut bestselling novelist J.D. Barker to Elaine’s Literary Salon, where he’ll be sharing his latest novel, “The Probability of Murder”

Our agenda for the Aug. 15 event:

Meet the Author: J.D. Barker (Jonathan Dylan Barker) is a New York Times and international bestselling American author whose work has been broadly described as suspense thrillers, often incorporating elements of horror, crime, mystery, science fiction, and the supernatural.

Born January 7, 1971 in Lombard, Illinois, J.D. spent the first 14 years of his life in Crystal Lake, Illinois. A staunch introvert, he was rarely seen without a book in hand, devouring both the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew series by the age of six before moving on to classics such as the works of Dickens and Twain. The discovery of Shelley, Stoker, and Poe fueled a fire, and it wasn’t long before he was writing tales of his own, which he shared with friends and family. These early stories centered around witches and ghosts thought to inhabit the woods surrounding their home.

“The Probability of Murder,” by J.D. Barker

At fourteen, Barker’s family relocated to Englewood, Florida, a climate better suited to his father’s profession as a contractor. He attended Lemon Bay High School and graduated in 1989. Knowing he wanted to pursue a career in the arts but was unsure of a direction, he enrolled at the Art Institute of Fort Lauderdale, where he later obtained a degree in business. While in college, one of his writing assignments found its way into the hands of Paul Gallotta of Circus Magazine. Gallotta reached out to Barker and asked him to join the staff of 25th Parallel Magazine, where he worked alongside the man who would later become Marilyn Manson. Assignments dropped him into the center of pop culture, and by 1991, Barker branched out, interviewing celebrities for the likes of Seventeen, TeenBeat, and other national and local publications. In 1992, Barker syndicated a small newspaper column called Revealed, which centered around the investigation of haunted places and supernatural occurrences. While he often cites these early endeavors as a crash course in tightening prose, his heart remained with fiction. He began work as a book doctor and ghostwriter shortly thereafter, helping others fine-tune their writing for publication. Barker has said this experience proved invaluable, teaching him what works and what doesn’t in today’s popular fiction. He would continue in this profession until 2012, when he wrote a novel of his own, titled Forsaken.

Stephen King read portions of Forsaken prior to publication and granted Barker permission to utilize the character of Leland Gaunt of King’s Needful Things in the novel. Indie-published in late 2014, the book went on to hit several major milestones – #2 on Audible (Harper Lee with Go Set a Watchman held #1), #44 on Amazon U.S., #2 on Amazon Canada, and #22 on Amazon UK. Forsaken was also nominated for a Bram Stoker Award (Best Debut Novel) and won a handful of others, including a New Apple Medalist Award. After reading Forsaken, Bram Stoker’s family reached out to Barker and asked him to co-author a prequel to Dracula, utilizing Bram’s original notes and journals, much of which has never been made public. The novel, titled Dracul, sold at auction to G.P. Putnam & Sons, with film rights going to Paramount. Andy Muschietti (IT, Mama) is attached to direct.

Barker’s initial indie success drew the attention of traditional agents and publishers and in early 2016 his debut thriller, The Fourth Monkey, sold in a series of pre-empts and auctions worldwide with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt set to publish in the U.S. and HarperCollins in the UK. The book has also sold for both film and television. He has since gone on to write numerous titles which have appeared on bestseller lists around the world. He is also a frequent collaborator with James Patterson. Barker splits his time between Englewood, FL, and New Castle, NH, with his wife, Dayna, and their daughter, Ember.

About J.D.’s newest book: The Probability of Murder

The wrong answer can cost everything. When brilliant math professor Ivy Reeves receives a cryptic note bearing her name at a crime scene, she’s drawn into a deadly game where probability becomes a matter of life and death.

Thirteen victims. Complex mathematical puzzles. A killer who understands that some games are designed to be lost.

As Detective Vaughn Ryan races against the clock, he needs Ivy’s genius to decode the twisted logic behind each murder. But the closer they get to the truth, the more personal the game becomes. The killer knows Ivy’s past—the fire that destroyed her family, the secrets she’s buried, the father she visits wearing a mask over his melted skin.

Every number has meaning. Every equation points to the next victim. And time is running out.

From New York Times bestselling author J.D. Barker and Patrick Logan comes a pulse-pounding thriller where mathematics meets murder, and one wrong answer means death.

Click here to buy The Probability of Murder.

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 is located at Elaine’s Restaurant, 208 Queen Street, Alexandria VA

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 former home of the beloved bistro Bilbo Baggins for 38 years. 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.

June 2026 — Meet the Author: A trial and appellate lawyer for many years, David writes history and historical novels. He has received the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Washington Independent Review of Books, was a reporter for the Staten Island Advance, and for 10 years wrote the monthly Supreme Court column for the American Bar Association Journal. He has also done on-air commentary for CNN, C-SPAN, Bloomberg News, and MSNBC.

About his newest book, The Democracy We Must Keep: Seven Founders, Nine Documents, and the Ideas That Shaped America

What did America’s founders say about democracy—and can we remain true to their vision for America?

Two hundred fifty years ago, passionate men attempted to create something the world had never seen before: a nation built not on kings or armies, but on ideas where the people ruled.

“The Democracy We Must Keep,” by David O. Stewart

In The Democracy We Must Keep, historian David O. Stewart takes readers inside the nine key documents that shaped the formation of the United States—from Patrick Henry’s thunderous cry for liberty to the carefully crafted design of a government chosen by the people, with limits on all officials holding power under the Constitution.

Through the words of seven visionary founders—Washington, Jefferson, Madison, Hamilton, Gouverneur Morris, and others—Stewart shows how a fragile experiment in self-government took shape.

These men were not saints. They argued passionately. They worried that the new nation might fall apart. Yet together, they forged the principles that must still define American democracy: That power must be limited. That leaders must answer to the people. That individual rights must be protected by law.

As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary, The Democracy We Must Keep urges readers to rediscover core ideas that built the nation—and to consider what it will take to protect them.

Accessible, engaging, and timely, this book is for anyone who wants to understand how American democracy started, and why it still matters. Learn more: davidostewart.com

“George Washington,” by David O. Stewart

More about David’s books: His narrative histories have won seven awards from historical and literary organizations, and include:

My historical fiction includes two series: The Deception trilogy features the unlikely partnership of Dr. Jamie Fraser and ex-ballplayer Speed Cook. In The Lincoln Deception,  they explore the secrets behind the Lincoln assassination. The Paris Deception places them at the Paris Peace Conference of 1919, and in The Babe Ruth Deception, they struggle to protect the slugger from gangland violence and the Black Sox scandal. The Overstreet saga begins with The New Land, which follows a German family to the Maine coast in 1753, where they face hardship and war.  Book Two (The Burning Land) traces descendants through the Civil War era.

Click here to buy David’s books.

Meet the Author: Justin Laborde, PhD, is a strategic consultant and frequent speaker on consumer trends, marketplace insights, and business-growth strategies at Fortune 500 companies. Raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, Justin now lives with his wife, Amanda, and their three children in Cary, North Carolina.

About Scattered Far and Wide: This book follows the U.S. Naval Academy Class of 1938 as they rise from junior officers to combat leaders in World War II’s most pivotal battles. Through firsthand accounts and deep research, Justin Laborde brings their stories of courage, sacrifice, and survival vividly to life.

“Scattered Far and Wide,” by Justin Laboarde, PhD

Scattered Far and Wide tells the war stories of U.S. Naval Academy midshipmen from the Class of 1938. Commissioned on the eve of World War II, they faced the trials of combat as new officers from the early days of American involvement and as ships captains, pilots in leadership positions, and submariners in charge by VJ Day. Tested as young leaders, they bore the new burden of command while at the fore of the Pacific War’s largest and most pivotal campaigns. They felt the wind and spray in their faces and the percussion of ships’ guns and depth charges at the pivotal moment in their lives and careers, making their experiences unusually compelling, heartbreaking, and—most assuredly—instructive.

From Pearl Harbor through the end of the war, these men fought and struggled for survival as part of the U.S. Navy’s Asiatic Fleet. In the early months of the conflict, they tried to stem the onslaught of the Imperial Japanese Navy. Some were captured and sent to brutal prisoner-of-war camps. Others took to the air from aircraft carriers as members of torpedo, bomber, and fighter squadrons during the Battles of the Coral Sea and Midway. Later in the war, a number served aboard submarines, experiencing some of the most legendary patrols in the history of the Silent Service.

Justin’s grandfather, Alden Laborde, was a member of the Class of 1938. Upon his death, Justin obtained a 1938 edition of The Lucky Bag, the Naval Academy’s yearbook. Reading the memoirs of Alden’s classmates, Justin realized he was well-placed to tell the fascinating, untold story of this class’s experiences in World War II. He spent five years gathering primary materials and researching the histories and wartime tales. The young men who graduated from the Naval Academy in 1938 left Annapolis on the eve of war and faced its perils around the world. In the process, these junior officers earned medals and fame, left legacies of heroism and loss, and sparked tales of renown and bravery that reverberate today.

Click here to buy Scattered Far and Wide.

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: <

Meet the Author: Dr. Stephen L. Cook serves as the Catherine N. McBurney Professor of Old Testament Language and Literature at Virginia Theological Seminary, the largest of the accredited seminaries of the Episcopal Church (founded in 1823). He and his wife, Catherine, a psychotherapist, live on the seminary campus in Alexandria, Virginia, with their daughter from China, Rebecca.

Prior to joining the VTS faculty in 1996, Stephen served on the faculty of Union Theological Seminary at Columbia University in New York City for four years. He did his doctoral training in Old Testament at Yale University after having completed the M.Div. degree at Yale’s Divinity School, where he also served as an instructor and fellow. His undergraduate work was at Trinity College, Connecticut, where he graduated with honors as a religion major in 1984.

Stephen is the author of several books, including an Anchor Yale Bible on Ezekiel; Reading Deuteronomy: A Literary and Theological Commentary (Smyth & Helwys, 2015); The Apocalyptic Literature (Abingdon, 2003); The Social Roots of Biblical Yahwism (Society of Biblical Literature, 2004); and Prophecy and Apocalypticism (Fortress, 1995); Conversations with Scripture: 2 Isaiah (Morehouse, 2008), and “The Season of Epiphany” in New Proclamation Year B, 2008-2009, Advent through Holy Week (Fortress, 2008). Most recently, he has written a Anchor Yale Bible Commentary on the final visions of the prophet Ezekiel. His other publications include journal articles, introductions and annotations to biblical books for both the New Oxford Annotated Bible and the Harper Collins Study Bible, and several entries for The New Interpreter’s Dictionary of the Bible. The New Interpreter’s One Volume Bible Commentary contains his commentaries on three biblical books. He maintains a fascinating Bible Blog on the web.

Stephen has served in several capacities as an officer of the Society of Biblical Literature, including as a Regional Coordinator and Regional President for the guild. He is also the Corporation Representative for Virginia Seminary to the American Schools of Oriental Research and a member of such other professional societies as the Anglican Association of Biblical Scholars and the Catholic Biblical Association. He is in high demand around the country as a lecturer, seminar speaker, and workshop leader. Learn more here: drstephenlcook.com

“Daniel,” by Dr. Stephen Cook

About the Book: Highly regarded Old Testament scholar Stephen Cook offers a substantive and useful commentary on the book of Daniel and explores the contemporary significance of this prophetic book. This groundbreaking commentary departs from common rationalist approaches in order to engage Daniel’s visionary content on its own terms, introducing innovative interpretive frameworks that emphasize the cosmic scope of this biblical book and its revelations of heavenly reality. Integrating insights from fields such as analytical psychology, comparative literature, and cosmology, Cook’s approach allows the disorienting imagery of Daniel to resonate fully, offering readers fresh insights into its apocalyptic dreams and transcendent symbolism. Cook also addresses the political and theological implications of apocalyptic literature in modern spiritual and geopolitical contexts.

In addition to paragraph-level commentary, all volumes of the Baker Commentary on the Old Testament series feature:

Pastors, teachers, and all serious stud

Meet the Author: Elizabeth Hodges was 38 when she got the news, “You have leukemia.” Six weeks later, she was told she also had adult cystic fibrosis. With three young children, intense fear set in that she might not live to see them grow up. Instead of giving in, she became determined to prioritize her role as a mother and lead a life driven by purpose and clarity, even with cancer. Over her eighteen-year journey, she discovered that motherhood can be the strongest motivation to survive and thrive.

Before cancer, Elizabeth was an accomplished global advertising and marketing executive who worked with Fortune 500 companies like Ogilvy & Mather and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK). After her experience with these life-changing diseases, she shifted her focus to nonprofit work in the arts, global public health, and education.

Now, she’s an advocate, writer, and storyteller, using her experiences to inspire other mothers navigating cancer’s tough road.​ Her debut book, “I Can’t Have Cancer, I Have Carpool! Lessons on Beating Cancer While Being a Mom”, is an honest and heartfelt account of using motherhood as a source of strength, courage, and finding clarity in the face of adversity.

​Elizabeth is the proud mother of three adult daughters, each in their 20s. She and her husband split their time between England and Florida, where she continues to write and share her story.

About the Book, Elizabeth explains: Being a mother is challenging enough—facing cancer at the same time can feel impossible. But as Elizabeth Hodges learned, survival isn’t just about beating the disease; it’s about showing up every day for the ones who need you most, including yourself.

​Diagnosed with leukemia at 38—and adult cystic fibrosis just weeks later—Elizabeth was determined to fight for her life while still being the mother her three young daughters deserved. Over 18 years, she discovered that motherhood isn’t just a challenge during cancer; it’s one of the strongest motivations to survive.

“I Can’t Have Cancer, I Have Carpool! — Lessons on Beating Cancer While Being a Mom is an educational memoir in which Elizabeth shares hard-earned insights and practical advice for navigating a diagnosis, managing treatment, and reclaiming control of your life while being present for your family. This book is a lifeline for any mother facing cancer, offering fresh hope, guidance, and the reminder that even on the hardest days, just making it to the carpool lane is a victory. Click here to buy the book!

About our Elaine’s Literary Salon<

Experience QuinTango: Alexandria-based music group QuinTango made its splashy debut on the world stage in 1999 at the Clinton White House State Dinner for the president of Argentina.  Robert Duvall danced, and global news networks covered the event.  The following morning, QuinTango received an invitation to perform at an international music festival in Costa Rica, and they were off and running.  Twenty-eight years later, QuinTango is in its seventh iteration, still evolving and still excited to create and connect. Learn more: quintango.com

Ali Cook, QuinTango

About Ali Cook, bass: Ali’s dream of earning a spot in the double-bass section of a major orchestra ground to a halt when she was seized by a painful syndrome that rendered her arms useless at times. Forced to confront this fork in the road, Ali emerged from the experience healed, and in the process, discovered a trove of music and poetry within her waiting to be shared with the world. She moved to Austin TX, started her Americana group “Ali and the Wild Geese,” and released her first vocal album. Ali is now back in Alexandria, on the faculty of Opal Music Studio (bass, piano, voice and composition) and enjoys appearing with the National, Baltimore, and Detroit Symphonies when her schedule permits.

Emmanuel Trifilio, QuinTango

About Emmanuel Trifilio, bandoneon: “La vida es loca,” proclaims Emmanuel, sipping his mate tea, contemplating Amado Nervo’s poetry, and considering his life. A career-ending injury on the soccer field in his native Argentina allowed him to pick up his guitar and lose himself in music. Before long, the discovery of a bandoneon in a second-hand shop piqued his interest in tango and set him on the path to the United States. With the right instrument at the right time, Emmanuel has taken to the world stage as an acclaimed composer/arranger, and charismatic performer and member of QuinTango.

Joan Singer, founder, QuinTango

About Joan Singer, violin: QuinTango’s founder and director wakes up every morning knowing there’ll be fires to put out and glorious tangos to play. Thanks to a chance meeting with a Dutch tango musician some twenty-plus years ago, Joan combines a love of music with her Scotch-Irish story-telling talents, Quaker-based desire for global connections, and her weakness for glitz. She’s made hundreds of friends and enriched thousands of lives in the process.

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 is located at Elaine’s Restaurant, 208 Queen Street, Alexand