Around Town

Navigating the world of book publishing can be an overwhelming task for new authors, and that’s where Alexandria resident Barbara Leary wants to step in.

Leary founded Finch & Squirrel as a literary mentorship studio providing coaching, resources and indie publishing services for writers of all skill levels. The studio recently celebrated three debut authors on publication of their first children’s books — “When There Are More Than Two” by George Mason University communications professional Buzz McClain, “Jack’s Journey: One Kitty, Three Cities” by Leary’s friend Lynn Hays and “Would a Kitten Do That?” by Alexandria Tutoring Consortium tutor Sherry Harowitz.


News

Gawkers peeking into the windows of historic homes in Old Town need look no further.

On June 16, publisher Simon & Schuster will release “Old Town Style: Inside Alexandria’s Most Beautiful Historic Homes.” In its 253 pages, Robert Weinhagen Jr., president of the Historic Alexandria Foundation, goes inside 44 homes built within the Colonial, Federal and Victorian periods.


Around Town

Alexandria writer John Adam Wasowicz’s eighth novel in his Old Town Mystery series is set against a murder on July 4.

In “Patriots Circle,” Wasowicz’s protagonist, attorney Mo Katz, is back investigating another murder. Katz is a modern day Sherlock Holmes, working out of his small office at 221B Wales Alley. The book will be released on June 15.


Around Town

An Alexandria food and travel writer will soon unveil his latest cookbook, a culinary journey through Spain with recipes inspired by the works of writer Ernest Hemingway.

“Hemingway’s Spanish Table” is the eighth cookbook for writer Howie Southworth, following his locally inspired “A Taste of Alexandria,” a collection of recipes from the city’s restaurant scene, which was published in 2024.