Northern Virginia Writers Club

Frightful Fridays @ Barnes & Noble Fair Lakes
2025-10-03 17:00 - 20:00, 2025-10-10 17:00 - 20:00, 2025-10-17 17:00 - 20:00, 2025-10-24 17:00 - 20:00, 2025-10-31 17:00 - 20:00 (America/New_York) | Barnes and Noble Fair Lakes, 12193 Fair Lakes Promenade Dr., Fairfax, 22033, United States
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October Frightful Friday evenings from 5-8 pm features the following NVWC authors:

10/3 – Scott Frost
10/10 – Allistar Nelson
10/17 – Darius Jones
10/24 – Bryan Nowak
10/31 – Ricky Ginsburg

Scary Saturdays @ Barnes & Noble Gainesville
2025-10-04 12:00 - 15:00, 2025-10-11 12:00 - 15:00, 2025-10-18 12:00 - 15:00, 2025-10-25 12:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Barnes and Noble Gainesville, 8139 Stonewall Shops Square Suite 405-B, Gainesville, VA, 20155, United States
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October Scary Saturdays from 12-3 pm features the following NVWC authors:

10/4 – Allistar Nelson
10/11 – Bryn Grover
10/18 – Darius Jones
10/25 – Atlas Creed

NVWC @ Fredericksburg Fall Festival
2025-10-11 - 2025-10-12 | Fredericksburg Convention Center, 2371 Carl D. Silver Parkway, Fredericksburg, VA, 22401, United States
Contact Events Coordinator Dave Wessel at dkwessel@gmail.com for a spot at the NVWC table or stop by to support your fellow club members!

Alexandria Book & Craft Festival
2025-10-18 10:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Made in ALX, 415 King Street, Alexandria, VA, 22314, United States
Join 25 authors (including NVWC members) and 15 artists in the square behind Made in ALX, 415 King Street in the heart of Old Town Alexandria, for this first-ever book and craft festival, co-hosted by Elaine’s Literary Salon.

October 2025 Meeting: Laura DiFranco on Building a Platform
2025-10-18 13:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 7426 Idylwood Road, Falls Church, VA, 22043, United States
Three Powerful Ways to Build a Platform for Your Business
Laura DiFranco of Brave Healer Publishing will discuss how to use storytelling to sell books and build business and brand. As a business owner, we reach prospective clients and readers in many ways. Your platform as an author or business owner is two things: Your email list subscribers and your social media followers. Participants will enjoy a workshop-style presentation to address three of the most powerful strategies to add email list subscribers, social platform numbers, and raving fans who want what you have to offer:

Your email opt-in or call to action
Your social content (how to build know-love-trust)
Your speaking strategy (move your audience into action)

. . . and how the right strategy will help you grow your platform.
Laura Di Franco is the CEO of Brave Healer Productions, a 14-time award-winning publisher for holistic health, wellness, and business professionals with a mission to help the world experience what’s possible. She, like you, started with zero people on her email list. She’s excited to share how she got past the 10,000 mark over the last few years.

November 2025 Meeting: Painting the Pages Workshop with Dr. Oliver Reid
2025-11-15 13:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 7426 Idylwood Road, Falls Church, VA, 22043, United States
Bring your laptop or notebook and be prepared to work on your latest piece or start something new in this workshop led by Dr. Oliver Reid of The Writing Coach.
Dr. Oliver T. Reid is an international multi-bestselling and award-winning author, motivational speaker, and the founder and president of I Am a Solution Consulting Firm, LLC, a human development organization providing specialized relationship, business consulting, counseling, and coaching services. Known as “The Writing Coach,” he uses cutting-edge writing coaching techniques to help Entrepreneurs, Speakers, and Coaches while leading them to live to their highest potential.
In addition, he is the creator of the revolutionary interactive card game for singles and couples, The InnerView™. Within the past seven years, Dr. Reid has published 30 bestselling books, contributed to 17 anthologies, and has won multiple awards for his literary work, including the 2016 IALA Distinction of Excellence Legendary Honoree and NAACP 2016-2017 Black Men Image Award , and Marquis Who’s Who Honoree List 2025 Award. Dr. Oliver T. Reid has had the distinct honor of speaking to millions around the world and coaching individuals on four continents. Dr. Reid has been featured on HuffPost, Black Enterprise, ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, Roku TV, and other international media outlets.

December 2025 Meeting: Holiday Social with Publishing Industry Expert Jane Friedman
2025-12-13 13:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 7426 Idylwood Road, Falls Church, VA, 22043, United States
In lieu of a holiday outing this year, we will be holding another member mixer in our new digs at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. Our featured speaker is industry expert Jane Friedman, who will kick off our event via Zoom to share her insights on The Year in Publishing—and What to Watch for 2026. Even though the publishing industry is often considered slow and not as susceptible to technological change (and print is enjoying robust sales), the business of books is always evolving. Join Jane for a discussion about current book sales and marketing trends in the United States and the ongoing effects of AI. Bring your books for a raffle and holiday treats after Jane’s talk!
If you don’t know who Jane Friedman is, you must be new to publishing. She has spent her entire career working in the publishing industry, with a focus on business reporting and author education. Her book, The Business of Being a Writer, Second Edition is used as a classroom text by many writing and publishing degree programs. Her impact on publishing education spans multiple formats and audiences from speaking engagements and workshops to her newsletters, The Bottom Line and Electric Speed. Jane’s expertise is regularly featured in major media outlets such as The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Today Show, Wired, Fox News, and BBC. She may be the most trusted voice in today’s publishing industry, and we are fortunate to host her as we close out 2025 for the Northern Virginia Writers Club.

January 2026: Annual Meeting & Officer Elections
2026-01-17 13:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 7426 Idylwood Road, Falls Church, VA, 22043, United States
Cast your vote in our Officer elections for President, Vice President (open), Treasurer, and Secretary (open). We are currently seeking candidates for a one-year term. For more information about the role responsibilities or to nominate yourself, please contact president@northernvirginiawriters.org. We also have a number of coordinator positions for collaboration, website management, critique groups, and events. Please consider making a difference in your writing community.

February 2026 Meeting: Allison K. Williams on Choosing Your Publishing Path
2026-02-21 13:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 7426 Idylwood Road, Falls Church, VA, 22043, United States
Which Publishing Path Is Right for YOU?
The era of the gatekeepers is over. Authors have more options than ever for self, hybrid, independent, university, and small-press publishing, and can choose their own path based on speed, level of control, amount of guidance, and of course, the time and money they want to invest.
But self-publishing can be tricky and time-consuming, and hybrid presses expensive. Plus, it’s hard to find the honest, value-added publishing services among vanity presses and scammers, especially for first books. For authors planning a series or multiple books, it’s even more important to get a process, editors, designers, and marketing support that serves your mission and your book.
We’ll discuss the pluses and perils of self-publishing, hybrid presses, and small publishers, and most importantly, how to know which path is right for you.
Allison K. Williams is the author of Seven Drafts: Self-Edit Like a Pro From Blank Page to Book. She has edited and coached fiction and nonfiction writers to publishing deals with Penguin Random House, Knopf, Mantle, Spencer Hill, and St. Martin’s Press as well as hybrid and independent presses, and to the New York Times Bestseller List and the USA Today Bestseller List. As the creator and cohost of The Writers Bridge platform and publishing talks, she’s guided writers through audience creation, marketing strategies, and querying (and signing with!) literary agents. She also hosts writing retreats around the world through Rebirth Your Book.
Allison holds an MFA in Creative Writing from Western Michigan University and spent 20 years as a circus aerialist and acrobat before writing and editing full-time.
__________
“Allison K. Williams is GOLDEN. She is so efficient, clear and concise, and such an enjoyable human being. Her generosity and knowledge are boundless!” Amber Jackson
“I believe the cost of your class was one of the best investments I have ever made in my entire writing life. I value the treasure trove of information and resources you shared as well as the clarity, organization, and personal pizzazz of your presentation.” Ruth Sloven
“I don’t have words to thank you for shifting me from inert and stuck to excited and empowered.” Sara Massagee

NVWC First Annual Winter Book Festival
2026-02-28 11:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library, 717 Queen Street, Alexandria, VA, 22314, United States
Join us for the Northern Virginia Writers Club Book Festival! Meet over 20 local authors and enjoy presentations on writing and publishing at this exclusive event in the heart of Old Town, two blocks north of King Street near the corner of Queen Street and Washington Street. Readers of all ages are welcome to attend! Drop in at any time!

Visit with over 20 local authors to discuss their experiences as writers and their path to publishing, and purchase autographed copies of their books. Genres represented by the mix of authors include children’s and young adult books, biography and memoirs, historical fiction, science fiction, romance and contemporary literature, social and political issues, motivational books, and travel guides.
The event kicks off with a celebration of America’s 250th birthday with a talk by author David Wessel about writing historical fiction! Author talks will be in the Youth Services Area and writer meet and greets will be on the second floor!
Author Talks (times subject to change)
10:30 AM – Can a Magic Ball of Light Really Help You Fulfill Your Dreams? – Margie Hamner
11:15 AM – Writing Historical Fiction – David Wessel
12:00 PM – How Science Influenced My Science Fiction – Tom DeWitt
12:45 PM – The Cost of Living With Conviction – Toby Dorr
1:30 PM – Every Life is Filled with Non-Fiction – Including Yours – Katherine Schweit
2:15 PM – Stories Need Shelves: Finding Your Genre, Audience, and Niche – Sharon Wishnow
3:00 PM – Different Ways to Publish – Which One is Right For You? – Paula Weiss

March 2026 Meeting: Short-Form Success—A Panel on Publishing in Magazines, Journals, & Anthologies
2026-03-21 13:00 - 15:30 (America/New_York) | St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 7426 Idylwood Road, Falls Church, VA, 22043, United States
Are you ready to submit your poetry, short stories, and essays but unsure how to navigate the world of literary markets? Publishing short works in magazines, journals, and anthologies is a vital step for any writer looking to build credentials, find a readership, and refine their craft.
Join us for an insightful panel discussion featuring three members of the writing community with deep and diverse experiences in the short-form publishing landscape.
In this dynamic session, our panelists will share practical advice on:

Finding the right market: How to efficiently research and target magazines and journals that match your genre and style.
Understanding submission guidelines: Essential tips for crafting cover letters, formatting manuscripts, and avoiding common rejection pitfalls.
Leveraging anthologies: Exploring the submission process for themed anthologies and what editors look for in these curated collections.
Transitioning from hobbyist to professional: Strategies for building a portfolio of published works to advance your writing career.

Whether you write genre fiction, literary essays, or poetry, this panel will provide the actionable knowledge you need to take your short works from manuscript to publication.

Speaker Bios
Darius Jones
NVWC Board Member & Award-Winning Author
Darius is a highly active member of the speculative fiction community and an NVWC Board Member. He specializes in Cosmic Horror, Weird Fiction, and Dark Fantasy. His short stories and poems have appeared in respected markets such as Strange Horizons, The No Sleep Podcast, and Star*Line Magazine. He is a member of the Horror Writers Association (HWA), Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America (SFWA), and the Science Fiction Poetry Association (SFPA), giving him extensive insight into professional short-form genre publishing. His first book, The Books of Hours, a collection of 24 Dark Cosmic poems, was published in 2025 by Alien Buddha Press.
Allie Nelson
NVWC Social Media Coordinator & Pushcart Prize-Nominated Author
Allie is a multiple Pushcart Prize-nominated author and the NVWC Social Media Coordinator. Her work has appeared in a wide array of publications, including The British Fantasy Society, Apex Magazine, ILLUMEN, Eternal Haunted Summer, and various others. Her writing has been translated internationally into Polish and Spanish, curated by notable figures like Kevin J. Anderson, and appeared in anthologies alongside authors such as Graham Masterson and Jane Yolen.
Heidi Hess
Florida Writer, Paranormal Author, and Festival Organizer
Heidi Hess is a paranormal fiction author and an organizer of the Read It Write It Book and Writing Festival. Her short stories have appeared in her own collections, including Chronicles of Chaos and The Short End of Madness. As both a published author and a successful event organizer, Heidi brings a valuable perspective on not only submitting to publications but also the process of creating and compiling original short-story anthologies.

NVWC @ Fredericksburg Spring Arts & Crafts Festival
2026-04-11 - 2026-04-12 | Fredericksburg Convention Center, 2371 Carl D. Silver Parkway, Fredericksburg, VA, 22401, United States
Visit the booth for the Northern Virginia Writers Club, pick up signed copies of members’ books, and learn more about the club.

April 2026 Meeting: ML Brei on AI & Authors
2026-04-18 13:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 7426 Idylwood Road, Falls Church, VA, 22043, United States
At the April 2026 monthly meeting, ML Brei, a computer scientist and author of Conversing with AI: A Handbook for Writers will lead a workshop on AI & Authors. As an author, educator, and prompt engineering consultant, she is passionate about empowering others at the intersection of language and technology.
Are you curious about how AI, like ChatGPT or Claude, can support your writing process?
We are writers—lovers of language and the art of storytelling. As AI becomes increasingly integrated into the writing process, many of us are asking: What is the right way for writers to use AI?
Join us for an engaging workshop that explores how writers can ethically and effectively use AI as a creative assistant, not a replacement.
ML Brei is the founder of Meripoint Books LLC, an independent press dedicated to thoughtful, purpose-driven literature. Her diverse portfolio includes fiction, nonfiction, and educational materials, with titles such as Conversing with AI: A Handbook for Writers, A Different Type of Soul (2022) and The Christian Symbols of the Twelve Days of Christmas (2022). Known for her practical wisdom and visionary insight, ML Brei helps writers, military personnel, and educators harness the power of AI through structured prompting and ethical guidance.

May 2026 Meeting: Jeffrey James Higgins on the Craft & Business of Writing
2026-05-16 13:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 7426 Idylwood Road, Falls Church, VA, 22043, United States
The Craft & Business of Writing
NVWC member Jeffrey James Higgins will provide an overview of what a writer needs to know about writing and publishing in 2026. The session will cover learning craft, writing practice and process, digital tools, dictation, common craft mistakes, editing iterations, critiquing, querying agents and publishers, current pathways to publication, marketing, and the business of writing.
Jeffrey James Higgins is a retired supervisory special agent who writes thrillers, short stories, creative nonfiction, and essays. He has wrestled a suicide bomber, fought the Taliban in combat, and chased terrorists across five continents. Jeffrey received the Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Heroism and the DEA Award of Valor. He’s been interviewed by CNN, Fox News, and The New York Times, and he’s appeared on CNN Declassified, National Geographic’s Narco Wars, and ABC News. Jeffrey’s a #1 Amazon bestselling author with six published thrillers, including a selection for one of the best medical thrillers of the 21st century. Library Journal selected The Havana Syndrome as one of the best books of 2025. Jeffrey owns Elaine’s Literary Salon in Alexandria, VA, where he counsels writers, interviews authors, and hosts a podcast. He’s an Authors Guild ambassador for the DC area and a frequent panelist at conferences and book festivals.

NVWC @ Occoquan Riverfest
2026-06-06 - 2026-06-07 | Occoquan, VA, Occoquan, VA, United States

June 2026 Meeting: The Art of Writing & Marketing Suspense (& Much More) by Andromeda Romano-Lax
2026-06-20 13:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 7426 Idylwood Road, Falls Church, VA, 22043, United States
Yes, I Do Think You Should Write a Suspense Novel
Why it’s harder than many think, and why writing (or just reading!) genre fiction can teach you important craft lessons
Thrillers and mysteries are strong sellers, but that doesn’t necessarily mean crime fiction is an easy genre to crash. As the author of literary and historical novels who successfully broke into the world of psychological suspense five years ago and became a Barnes & Noble “Our Monthly Pick” author in the process, I’ll discuss some myths and facts about the writing, revision, and marketing of thrillers, mysteries, and suspense. I’ll also touch on horror, an adjacent category that is currently hotter than it’s been in decades.
Let’s say you’re not planning to write crime fiction, only read it. I’ll address how paying attention to crime and horror as a reader can teach important craft lessons that apply to all forms of writing, even literary novels and memoirs.
Born in Chicago and now a resident of Vancouver Island, Canada, Andromeda Romano-Lax worked as a freelance journalist and travel writer before turning to fiction. Her first novel, The Spanish Bow, was translated into eleven languages and chosen as a New York Times Editors’ Choice, BookSense pick, and one of Library Journal’s Best Books of the Year. Her next four novels, The Detour, Behave (an Indie Next Pick), Plum Rains (winner of the Sunburst Award), and Annie and the Wolves (A Booklist Top 10 Historical Fiction Book of the Year) reflect her diverse interest in the arts, history, science, and technology, as well as her love of travel and her time spent living abroad.
Starting with The Deepest Lake (a Barnes & Noble Monthly Pick and Amazon Book of the Month) and continuing with her next novel, What Boys Learn (January 2026), Andromeda has swerved into the world of suspense fiction, although she continues to write historical and speculative fiction as well.

July 2026 Meeting: Jessica Berg on High Concept Fiction
2026-07-18 13:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 7426 Idylwood Road, Falls Church, VA, 22043, United States
High Concept Fiction: What It Actually Means & Why You Need to Know
You’ve heard agents and editors talk about “high concept,” but what does that actually mean for you and for the genre you write?
In this presentation, Jessica Berg, literary agent and founder of Rosecliff Literary will demystify one of publishing’s most-used (and most-confusing) terms. We’ll look at what high concept really means, how it functions differently across genres, and why understanding whether your book has it changes how you approach all aspects of publishing, no matter if you’re pursuing traditional or indie publication.
You’ll learn:

The clear definition of high concept (and what it’s not)
How to recognize it in your own work
Why it looks different in literary fiction vs. romance vs. thriller vs. SFF
What to do if your book isn’t high concept – and why that’s okay
How this understanding shapes your query strategy

This session is for writers who:

Want to understand industry language without the mystification
Are preparing to query and need clarity on how to position their work
Write across genres and wonder how this term applies to different projects
Want to make strategic decisions based on their book’s actual strength

Jessica Berg is the founder and agency director of Rosecliff Literary, a boutique agency built on the belief that ambitious writers deserve transparency, strategy, and a seat at the table. She earned her MFA from Spalding University and brings more than a decade of experience to her work with clients.
In addition to her agency role, Jessica serves as a contributing editor for Writer’s Digest, where she writes and consults on topics related to querying, craft, comp titles, and the business of authorship. She teaches globally on query letters, positioning, and sustainable author careers. Jessica serves on the board of the Historical Novel Society and is a chair for the National Women’s Book Association.
She lives online at @jessica__berg, where she talks about querying, writing life, and the realities of publishing with transparency, humor, and a touch of glam. Connect with Rosecliff at @roseclifflit.
Free download: How to Pitch Your Book in 30 Seconds at https://www.jessicaberg.me/the-30-second-book-pitch.

August 2026 Meeting: Summer Social
2026-08-15 13:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 7426 Idylwood Road, Falls Church, VA, 22043, United States
Back by popular demand, our Summer Social will be largely unstructured, with no featured speaker, to allow ample time for networking and sharing our experiences in writing and publishing. If you’re published, bring a book for the raffle.

September 2026 Meeting: The Writers' Rx with Dr. Jasmine Sandoval
2026-09-19 13:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 7426 Idylwood Road, Falls Church, VA, 22043, United States
From Pulse to Prose
Discover how to harness the body’s most visceral reactions and turn them into powerful storytelling tools. In this session, you’ll learn to translate racing pulses, constricted breaths, trembling hands, and subtle somatic cues into gripping narrative beats that drive tension and emotion. We’ll break down how the human body naturally responds to fear, desire, conflict, and revelation—and how to mirror those sensations on the page with precision. By the end, you’ll know how to craft scenes so physically immersive that readers don’t just follow your characters… they feel them.
Workshop Activity: “Visceral Revision Lab”
OPTIONAL: Writers will bring a short scene (150–300 words) from their work in progress—preferably a moment involving tension, emotion, or internal conflict. In small groups or paired breakout sessions, they will identify the character’s dominant emotional state, then rewrite 3-5 lines of the scene using visceral body reactions instead of abstract emotion words. Participants will focus on replacing “telling” phrases (fear, anger, shock, excitement) with pulse changes, breath shifts, autonomic responses, muscle tension, micro-movements, and sensory cues.
After revising, volunteers will share their before-and-after versions to see how the added somatic detail heightens immersion, tension, and emotional authenticity.
With over 25 years in the medical field and 15 years as a registered nurse, Dr. Jasmine Sandoval brings a unique blend of expertise and storytelling to every stage and page. She is the author of The Writer’s Rx, a guide for writers who want to master the art of immersive storytelling. Writing under the pen name J.C. Sang, she explores fiction that delves into resilience and human connection.

October 2026 Meeting: Overcoming the Fear of Self-Promotion
2026-10-17 13:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 7426 Idylwood Road, Falls Church, VA, 22043, United States
Learn to promote yourself and your work with confidence
When you’re reluctant to broadcast your accomplishments and capabilities, your ideal readers, as well as editors and influencers, never get the chance to find out about you and your work. Learn to identify when fear, resistance, and your inner critic are getting in your way; which fears are causing you the most trouble; how to develop antidotes to your fear; and quick fixes to manage your inner saboteurs. Discover how to transform your relationship with marketing – and with your desired audience – so you can promote yourself and your written work confidently.
C.J. Hayden is the bestselling author of Get Clients Now! A 28-Day Marketing Program for Professionals, Consultants, and Coaches. Since 1992, she’s been a business coach and writing mentor, helping self-employed professionals and creatives thrive. C.J. has taught for John F. Kennedy University, Mills College, and the U.S. Small Business Administration. She is the author of 8 books and hundreds of published articles and blog posts. Her newest book is Overcoming the Fear of Self-Promotion.

November 2026 Meeting: Writing History vs. Writing Historical Fiction
2026-11-14 13:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 7426 Idylwood Road, Falls Church, VA, 22043, United States
Writing History vs. Writing Historical Fiction
NVWC member David K. Wessel is a retired U.S. diplomat who served at embassies in Central America and Europe and is the former Mayor of Duck, NC. His recent publications include an article for American Historical Association’s Perspectives magazine and his first novel, Choosing Sides, which explores how ordinary people living in Germany between the two world wars responded to the loss of their democracy, a subject he has studied for some fifty years. In this presentation, David will share the perspective he has gained on the differences – and similarities – between writing history and writing historical fiction.

December 2026 Meeting: Holiday Social
2026-12-19 13:00 - 15:00 UTC | St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 7426 Idylwood Road, Falls Church, VA, 22043, United States
Join your fellow writers for some socializing. A favorite event every year, as it’s no business and all fun and getting to know your fellow writers!
