Skip to main content
Font size options
Increase or decrease the font size for this website by clicking on the 'A's.
Contrast options
Choose a color combination to give the most comfortable contrast.
Green outline of an open book with a quill with flowers attached as if it's writing on the book. In the right corner of the book is green text that reads

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

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
Skip Opening Hours widget
Mon, Oct 19 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Tue, Oct 20 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Wed, Oct 21 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Thu, Oct 22 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Fri, Oct 23 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sat, Oct 24 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, Oct 25 1:00PM to 5:00PM
previous
this week
next
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

Skip Upcoming Events widget
Horror Fans Unite! - A year-round Horror club!
Mon, Oct 19, 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!
Registration is now closed
Bilingual Storytime - Hora de cuentos bilingue
Tue, Oct 20, 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, Oct 20, 11:00am - 11:40am
Youth Services Area
Just right for ages 0-23 months. Songs, games, movement activities, and bubbles.
Death Café
Tue, Oct 20, 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.
This event is full
Just Babies - Solo Los Bebés
Wed, Oct 21, 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, Oct 21, 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!
This event is full
Preschool Story Time - Story Time for ages 2-5
Thu, Oct 22, 11:00am - 11:40am
Youth Services Area
Stories, songs, movement and more for ages 2-5.
American Style Mahjong - Let's play Mahjong!
Thu, Oct 22, 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 - Adventure awaits!
Thu, Oct 22, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Second Floor
Looking to join a Dungeons and Dragons group? Look no further!
This event is full
Community Repair Event - Electronics and Watch Battery Replacement
Sat, Oct 24, 11:00am - 2:00pm
Second Floor
Bring small appliances, electronics and furniture in need of repair, and watches in need of new batteries. We'll have volunteer coaches at the Barrett Branch to help try to get them in working again.
Bilingual Storytime - Hora de cuentos bilingue
Tue, Oct 27, 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!
Halloween Baby and Toddler Time - Holiday Fun For Ages 0-23 months
Tue, Oct 27, 11:00am - 11:40am
Youth Services Area
Costumes encouraged, but not required! Seasonal songs and games for little pumpkins ages 0-23 months. .
Eco:mmunion - Conversations to Sustain People and Planet
Tue, Oct 27, 6:45pm - 7:45pm
Looking for a space to talk about climate change and the things affected that we love? Join us for a monthly discussion focused on a relevant topic. Register to receive the materials suggestions.
Just Babies--Happy Halloween! - A Halloween Themed Lapsit Time for Ages 0-12 months
Wed, Oct 28, 11:00am - 12:30pm
Youth Services Area
Trick or Treat! Fun activities just for infants ages 0-12 months.
PreSchool Story Time: Halloween! - Get ready for Halloween
Thu, Oct 29, 11:00am - 11:40am
Youth Services Area
Get in the holiday spirit with Halloween stories, songs, movement and more. For ages 2+
DIY Dice Towers! - Join us for this fun Dungeons and Dragons DIY project!
Thu, Oct 29, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Second Floor
Let's make Dice Towers!
Rescheduled
Sunshine Readers - An outside book club!
Tue, Nov 03, 10:00am - 11:30am
New date Tuesday, November 10, 10:00am - 11:30am
Let's get some fresh air and enjoy some sunshine as we discuss the latest books we've been reading!
Baby and Toddler Time - La hora de los bebés y los niños
Tue, Nov 03, 11:00am - 11:30am
Youth Services Area
Just right for ages 0-23 months. Songs, games, movement activities, and bubbles.
Just Babies - Solo Los Bebés
Wed, Nov 04, 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, Nov 05, 11:00am - 11:40am
Youth Services Area
Stories, songs, movement games and more for ages 2-5.
Carefull Knit & Crochet - America250
Thu, Nov 05, 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, Nov 05, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Looking to join a Dungeons and Dragons group? Look no further!
This event is full
Parent & Child Crochet - Learn to crochet together with your child!
Sat, Nov 07, 11:00am - 1:00pm
Youth Services Area
Has your child expressed an interest in learning to crochet? Have you yourself ever wanted to learn? If so, this program is for you! Learn the crochet basics and work towards a simple project.
Registration opens Friday, October 30 2026 at 9:00am
Spanish Conversation Club
Sat, Nov 07, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Second Floor
Develop and exercise your Spanish conversation skills. Ages 14+
See all events