Local author hosts book signings and promotional events

Author Leslie Lautenslager with General Colin Powell

As she approached the first year of her book, My Time with General Colin Powell: Stories of Kindness, Diplomacy, and Protocol, Leslie Lautenslager ventured into the new author world of book signings, publicists, and exposure she never expected. Working with her publisher, she reached out to some fellow authors who gave her valuable advice, which led to more book signings, podcasts, and speaking engagements.

“I didn’t know what to expect,” said Lautenslager. “It’s exciting and far exceeds my expectations.”

Her previous travels have taken her to Williamsburg and

Author Leslie Lautenslager interviewed by Jeffery Higgins at a literary event in Alexandria.

Fredericksburg, some libraries in Fairfax County, high schools and book events in Virginia. One of them was at her high school, where she met former classmates from years ago. In the next few months, she will be at a book signing at William and Mary University’s homecoming and then in Montreal, Canada. The book is nominated for the 2024 Non-fiction Virginia Literary Award, Lautenslager said.

She was invited to speak at the Golden Gate Breakfast Club, a club founded in 1946 whose goal is “to promote interest in San Francisco and to create good fellowship and understanding among its members.” The club’s program features her alongside other authors such as Linda Sage, a criminal psychologist who has spent her 40-year career studying society’s most heinous criminals, and Peggy Mathers, a lover of Asian art museums, to name a few.

Lautenslager has lived most of her life in Fairfax County, graduating from Hayfield High School and then William and Mary College. Lautenslager was Powell’s executive assistant for 25 years before he died of Covid in October 2021. She has a wealth of international events to fill this book.

Book events

Locally, Lautenslager was introduced at Elaine’s Restaurant on Queen Street in Old Town, where she drew over 50 people who wanted to hear about her experience on Colin Powell’s team. Jeffery Higgins owns the restaurant along with his wife, and both are published authors, so they know what to expect after publishing a book. They host a couple of literary events a month at their restaurant, showcasing books and authors.

“For us, this is a way to give back to the community,” Higgins said. His books fall into the mystery thriller category and his wife’s works have an oriental theme. Their food is also Mediterranean cuisine, based on food from Alexandria, Egypt. Higgins remembered Lautenslager’s book event. “She had a good turnout, she was warm and open during our interview,” Higgins said. “It was great fun,” Lautenslager added.

Lautenslager encourages his readers to write reviews on Amazon, which are incorporated into the algorithms and move books up the Amazon rankings. “My Time with General Colin Powell” is available at https://www.leslielautenslager.com/