Author Talks
From debut voices to seasoned storytellers, each event brings a fresh perspective and a chance to connect with the people behind the pages
Calendar
Mike Henrich
Saturday, May 23rd 1-4pm
Mike is a three-time teacher of the year, returned Peace Corps volunteer, a former college basketball bench warmer, and a valedictorian ('s husband) who currently lives in northern Virginia. Teacher Boy (2024) debuted as a #1 new release and best seller on Amazon and currently has 5.0 and 4.59 rating on Amazon and Goodreads respectively and is available at Barnes and Noble. Bench Boy (March 2026) is Mike's second published work. Mike and his writing are inspired by his own childhood and the adolescents he's worked with for twenty-seven years (and counting). As an author he wants his readers to consider their pasts not just for remembrance sake, but honor the kids we were with our adult selves.
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Sonora Taylor
Saturday, May 30th 1-4pm
Sonora Taylor is the award-winning author of Little Paranoias: Stories, Without Condition, and Seeing Things. Her work has been published by Raw Dog Screaming, Tenebrous, Cemetery Gates Media, Manta Press, and others. She lives in Arlington, Virginia, with her husband and a rescue dog.
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Carolyn McBride
Saturday, June 13th 1-4pm
Carolyn McBride is the author of The Cicada Spring and Santa Overboard, the first two novels in the Potomac Shores series. Set against the inviting backdrop of the Potomac River and the small town of Occoquan, this series explores the complexities of midlife as Katie and the beloved Beach Bonfire Babes navigate challenges and celebrate life's precious moments with humor and resilience. A former editor and columnist for National Geographic Traveler, Carolyn is a graduate of the College of William and Mary and holds an MFA in fiction writing from Lindenwood University. She is also president of the Northern Virginia Writers Club and enjoys helping writers find their voices and tell their stories.
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Valerie D. Johnson
Saturday, June 27th 1-4pm
Valerie D. Johnson writes stories that help children see math as fun and connected to their world—and realize they are already math kids. Local author, educator, and entrepreneur with 30+ years in education, Valerie’s mission is to help children see math as part of who they are, not something to fear. In her debut picture book, 1 2 3 Count with Me on Granddad’s Farm, readers don’t just count animals—they step into Granddad’s farm, where animals, sounds, and the rhythms of daily life come alive. Families read together, sparking conversation, curiosity, and shared discovery—turning page time into connection time, where children notice, think, and wonder. Her superpower is simple: she turns everyday moments into stories that make learning meaningful, easy to connect with, and fun. She is also the creator of Write and Illustrate Your Own Book: You’re the Author Journal and I Am a Math Kid, inviting children to see themselves as thinkers, creators, and mathematicians.
More authors coming soon!