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Northern Virginia Writers Club Book Fair
2026-02-28 10:00:00 2026-02-28 16:00:00 America/New_York Northern Virginia Writers Club Book Fair Join us for the Northern Virginia Writers Club Book Festival! Meet over 20 local authors and enjoy presentations on writing and publishing! Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Second Floor, Youth Services Area

Saturday, February 28
10:00am - 4:00pm

Add to Calendar 2026-02-28 10:00:00 2026-02-28 16:00:00 America/New_York Northern Virginia Writers Club Book Fair Join us for the Northern Virginia Writers Club Book Festival! Meet over 20 local authors and enjoy presentations on writing and publishing! Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library - Second Floor, Youth Services Area

Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library

Second Floor, Youth Services Area

Join us for the Northern Virginia Writers Club Book Festival! Meet over 20 local authors and enjoy presentations on writing and publishing!

Readers of all ages are welcome to attend! Registration is optional. Drop in at any time!

Visit with over 20 local authors to discuss their experiences as writers and their path to publishing, and purchase autograph 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 includes a celebration of America's 250th birthday with a talk by author David Wessel about writing historical fiction!

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 & Niche - Sharon Wishnow

  3:00 PM – Different Ways to Publish: Which One Is Right For You? – Paula Weiss

Author talks will be in the Youth Services Area and writer meet and greets will be on the second floor!

AGE GROUP: | Teens | Seniors | Children | All Ages | Adults |

EVENT TYPE: | Special Event | Book Discussion Groups |

TAGS: | va250 | Book discussion groups | america250 | Alex250 |

Kate Waller Barrett Branch Library
jcahill@alexlibraryva.org
Phone: 703.746.1703
Fax: 703.746.1708
Branch manager
James Cahill
Hours
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We're closed Monday May 25 due to Memorial Day
Mon, May 25 Closed
(Memorial Day)
Tue, May 26 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Wed, May 27 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Thu, May 28 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Fri, May 29 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sat, May 30 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, May 31 1:00PM to 5:00PM
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About the branch

Parking: No library parking lot.  Street parking is available.  A paid parking lot is available on the 100 block of North Alfred Street. 

Public Transit:

  • Metrorail: Yellow and Blue lines at Braddock Road (1 mile) and King Street Stations (1.1 miles). 
  • Metrobus: A11, A12, F19
  • DASH Bus: 30, 31, Old Town Circulator
  • King Street Trolley:  King & Columbus

For reasonable disability accommodation, contact jgregorio@alexlibraryva.org or call 703.746.1701 or TTY 703.746.1790.

Upcoming Events

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The CHAT - Change Happens with Alexandria Teens
Sat, May 30, 10:30am - 12:00pm
Second Floor
Ages 14-19. Participate in this special recorded conversation about being a teen in Alexandria.
Registration is now closed
Introduction to Hemming 
Mon, Jun 01, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Second Floor
Learn how to hem your pants, shorts, skirts and dresses. Experienced volunteers will explain the basics of hemming, style options and methods, followed by time to hem an item of your choosing.
This event is full
Sunshine Readers - An outside book club!
Tue, Jun 02, 10:00am - 11:30am
Outdoors
Let's get some fresh air and enjoy some sunshine as we discuss the latest books we've been reading!
Bilingual Storytime - Hora de cuentos bilingue
Tue, Jun 02, 10:30am - 10:45am
Youth Services Area
Start your morning with stories, rhymes and songs in English and Spanish ¡Empieza su mañana con cuentos, rimas y canciones en inglés y español!
Baby and Toddler Time - La hora de los bebés y los niños
Tue, Jun 02, 11:00am - 11:40am
Youth Services Area
Just right for ages 0-23 months. Songs, games, movement activities, and bubbles.
Divorce: What You Need To Know
Tue, Jun 02, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Second Floor
Veronica Holmes, Esquire, will discuss the fundamentals of divorce law—including policies, process and procedure—in Virginia.
Just Babies - Solo Los Bebés
Wed, Jun 03, 11:00am - 12:30pm
Youth Services Area
A lap-sit and playtime just for babies ages 0-12 months and their grownups.
Preschool Story Time - Story Time for ages 2-5
Thu, Jun 04, 11:00am - 11:40am
Youth Services Area
Stories, songs, movement and more for ages 2-5.
Carefull Knit & Crochet - America250
Thu, Jun 04, 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Contribute to Barrett Branch’s fiber arts group making scarves to donate. Visit our display in honor of America250 and our work to build a community of care. Add your scarf to the collection.
Dungeons and Dragons: Teen Group! - Adventure awaits!
Thu, Jun 04, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Youth Services Area
Looking to join a Dungeons and Dragons group? Look no further!
Dungeons and Dragons Adult Group: Group B - Adventure awaits!
Thu, Jun 04, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Second Floor
Looking to join a Dungeons and Dragons group? Look no further!
Period Products 101 - Exploring Reusable and Disposable Options for Young People
Sat, Jun 06, 10:00am - 11:30am
102 N Fayette St.
Calling young minds 9 to 15 years old! Come to Ms. Moxie's Moon Shop to uncover the ins and outs of both disposable and reusable period products. Dads are encouraged to attend!
English Conversation Club - Develop & Practice Your English Conversation Skills
Sat, Jun 06, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Second Floor
Welcome! Are you looking to improve your English language skills? Join us for English conversation practice, with new topics each session! Ages 14+
Spanish Conversation Club
Sat, Jun 06, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Second Floor
Develop and exercise your Spanish conversation skills. Ages 14+
Bilingual Storytime - Hora de cuentos bilingue
Tue, Jun 09, 10:30am - 10:45am
Youth Services Area
Start your morning with stories, rhymes and songs in English and Spanish ¡Empieza su mañana con cuentos, rimas y canciones en inglés y español!
Baby and Toddler Time - La hora de los bebés y los niños
Tue, Jun 09, 11:00am - 11:40am
Youth Services Area
Just right for ages 0-23 months. Songs, games, movement activities, and bubbles.
Just Babies - Solo Los Bebés
Wed, Jun 10, 11:00am - 12:30pm
Youth Services Area
A lap-sit and playtime just for babies ages 0-12 months and their grownups.
The Significance of World Cup 2026 - By Futbol Papa!
Wed, Jun 10, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Second Floor
Futbol Papa (aka journalist Robert J. Riccio) will share his soccer journey—what soccer means to him—and why World Cup 2026, to be played on home soil this summer, is particularly significant.
Preschool Story Time - Story Time for ages 2-5
Thu, Jun 11, 11:00am - 11:40am
Youth Services Area
Stories, songs, movement and more for ages 2-5.
American Style Mahjong - Let's play Mahjong!
Thu, Jun 11, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Second Floor
The Barrett Branch Mahjong group meets the second and fourth Thursdays of the month. Space is available for up to 12 players, so it's first come first served as game tables fill.
Dungeons and Dragons Adult Group: Group A - Adventure awaits!
Thu, Jun 11, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Second Floor
Looking to join a Dungeons and Dragons group? Look no further!
Building Better Bonds! - Positive reinforcement training and bonding with your pet!
Sat, Jun 13, 2:00pm - 3:30pm
Second Floor
AWLA's Behavior and Training Manager will provide tips for living harmoniously with your dog or cat at home, answer specific questions about your pet, and chat about AWLA's Alexandria Animal Academy.
Book Journaling Meetup
Sat, Jun 13, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
First Floor
Join us to work on your book journal and share with others what you've added and read!
Horror Fans Unite! - A year-round horror club!
Mon, Jun 15, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Second Floor
Do you like scary movies, books, tv shows, or video games? Do you enjoy making horror themed DIY projects? This is the event for you!
Baby and Toddler Time - La hora de los bebés y los niños
Tue, Jun 16, 11:00am - 11:40am
Youth Services Area
Just right for ages 0-23 months. Songs, games, movement activities, and bubbles.
Death Café
Tue, Jun 16, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Second Floor
Take part in a group-led discussion about death and dying without any set agenda, objectives, or themes. Tea and sweets will be provided.
Just Babies - Solo Los Bebés
Wed, Jun 17, 11:00am - 12:30pm
Youth Services Area
A lap-sit and playtime just for babies ages 0-12 months and their grownups.
Painternoon - A monthly painting club!
Wed, Jun 17, 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Second Floor
Let's paint at the Library! Enjoy a tutorial with instructions on how to create the monthly painting or create your own unique work of art!
Carefull Knit & Crochet - America250
Thu, Jun 18, 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Contribute to Barrett Branch’s fiber arts group making scarves to donate. Visit our display in honor of America250 and our work to build a community of care. Add your scarf to the collection.
Dungeons and Dragons: Teen Group! - Adventure awaits!
Thu, Jun 18, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Youth Services Area
Looking to join a Dungeons and Dragons group? Look no further!
Dungeons and Dragons Adult Group: Group B - Adventure awaits!
Thu, Jun 18, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Second Floor
Looking to join a Dungeons and Dragons group? Look no further!
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