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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, Aug 17 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Tue, Aug 18 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Wed, Aug 19 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Thu, Aug 20 10:00AM to 8:00PM
Fri, Aug 21 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sat, Aug 22 10:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, Aug 23 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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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
Alexandria Film Festival - "The Philadelphia Story" (1940)
Sat, Aug 22, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Second Floor
Join us for a showing of the movie, "The Philadelphia Story" (1940)!
Kids Book Journaling Workshop - Join us to create your very own book journal!
Sat, Aug 22, 11:00am - 12:00pm
Youth Services Area
Book journaling is where reading, scrapbooking, and journaling come together! This program will show kids ages 6-12 a creative way to keep a record or create a recap of their reading for the year.
Eco:mmunion - Conversations to Sustain People and Planet
Tue, Aug 25, 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.
Launching the Roman Space Telescope - NASA Solar System Ambassadors
Wed, Aug 26, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Second Floor
Come join NASA Solar System Ambassador, Sigfried Hache, in discussing the commissioning of NASA’s newest flagship observatory: The Roman Space Telescope set to launch August 30.
American Style Mahjong - Let's play Mahjong!
Thu, Aug 27, 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, Aug 27, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Second Floor
Looking to join a Dungeons and Dragons group? Look no further!
This event is full
"Patriots Circle": Book Talk with author John Wasowicz - Author of Old Town Loves Mysteries
Sat, Aug 29, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Second Floor
The author of eight Old Town Loves Mysteries will discuss his new book: "Patriots Circle."
Bad Art Night! - Create something truly terrible!
Mon, Aug 31, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Second Floor
Adults and teens are encouraged to create the worst pieces of art they have ever seen to win a prize for worst artwork!
This event is full
Sunshine Readers - An outside book club!
Tue, Sep 01, 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, Sep 01, 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, Sep 02, 11:00am - 12:30pm
Youth Services Area
A lap-sit and playtime just for babies ages 0-12 months and their grownups.
Carefull Knit & Crochet - America250
Thu, Sep 03, 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, Sep 03, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Looking to join a Dungeons and Dragons group? Look no further!
Registration opens Friday, August 21 2026 at 9:00am
Spanish Conversation Club
Sat, Sep 05, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Second Floor
Develop and exercise your Spanish conversation skills. Ages 14+
Baby and Toddler Time - La hora de los bebés y los niños
Tue, Sep 08, 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, Sep 09, 11:00am - 12:30pm
Youth Services Area
A lap-sit and playtime just for babies ages 0-12 months and their grownups.
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