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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

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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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Mon, Jul 27 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Tue, Jul 28 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Wed, Jul 29 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Thu, Jul 30 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Fri, Jul 31 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sat, Aug 01 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, Aug 02 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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Spanish Conversation Club
Sat, Aug 01, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Second Floor
Develop and exercise your Spanish conversation skills. Ages 14+
Sunshine Readers - An outside book club!
Tue, Aug 04, 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!
Baby and Toddler Time - La hora de los bebés y los niños
Tue, Aug 04, 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, Aug 05, 11:00am - 12:30pm
Youth Services Area
A lap-sit and playtime just for babies ages 0-12 months and their grownups.
Secret Garden: Raptors
Wed, Aug 05, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
Youth Services Area
Meet and learn about raptors--birds of prey like hawks and owls. Ages 6+
Manga Sketching Class
Wed, Aug 05, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Second Floor
Draw a manga-style warrior with step-by-step instructions by graphic artist Orion Zangara.
Kaydee Puppets
Thu, Aug 06, 11:00am - 11:35am
Youth Services Area
Our favorite family of preschool puppeteers are back with another fun show. Ages 2+
Carefull Knit & Crochet - America250
Thu, Aug 06, 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.
Cancelled
Dungeons and Dragons: Teen Group! - Adventure awaits!
Thu, Aug 06, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Looking to join a Dungeons and Dragons group? Look no further!
Teen Advisory Group - Monthly Meeting
Sat, Aug 08, 10:30am - 11:30am
Second Floor
Ages 12-18. Make a difference in your library and community by sharing your opinions, volunteering, and more!
Building Better Bonds! - Positive reinforcement training and bonding with your pet!
Sat, Aug 08, 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.
Rescheduled
Bad Art Night! - Create something truly terrible!
Mon, Aug 10, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
New date Monday, August 31, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Adults and teens are encouraged to create the worst pieces of art they have ever seen to win a prize for worst artwork!
Baby and Toddler Time w/Kofi Dennis
Tue, Aug 11, 11:00am - 11:45am
Youth Services Area
Kofi, a WolfTrap BabyArtsPlay artist, leads our program today. (Ages 0-5)
Just Babies - Solo Los Bebés
Wed, Aug 12, 11:00am - 12:30pm
Youth Services Area
A lap-sit and playtime just for babies ages 0-12 months and their grownups.
The Magic of Drew Blue Shoes
Wed, Aug 12, 4:00pm - 4:45pm
Second Floor
What will Drew have "up his sleeve" today? Ages 6+
Outdoor Play - On the Columbus Street lawn
Thu, Aug 13, 10:30am - 11:30am
Outdoors
Playtime with bubbles, sidewalk chalk and more. Ages 2+
American Style Mahjong - Let's play Mahjong!
Thu, Aug 13, 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.
Cancelled
Dungeons and Dragons Adult Group: Group A - Adventure awaits!
Thu, Aug 13, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Looking to join a Dungeons and Dragons group? Look no further!
Medicare 101 - Helping you navigate Medicare with VA Insurance Counseling
Fri, Aug 14, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Second Floor
Come learn about your Medicare options – Original Medicare (Parts A & B), Medicare Advantage (Part C), Medicare Prescription Drug (Part D), and Medicare Supplement (Medigap).
Dungeons & Dragons at the Library
Sat, Aug 15, 1:00pm - 4:00pm
Come play Dungeons & Dragons. No experience necessary. Open to ages 8-13.
This event is full
Horror Fans Unite! - A year-round horror club!
Mon, Aug 17, 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!
Death Café
Tue, Aug 18, 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.
Painternoon - A monthly painting club!
Wed, Aug 19, 3:00pm - 4:30pm
Second Floor
Let's paint at the Library!
Period Products 101 - Exploring Reusable and Disposable Options for Young People
Wed, Aug 19, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
102 N. Fayette Street., Alexandria, VA
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!
Carefull Knit & Crochet - America250
Thu, Aug 20, 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, Aug 20, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Second Floor
Looking to join a Dungeons and Dragons group? Look no further!
This event is full
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