Tonight author Edna Solís will learn at 7pm if she won Ryan Seacrest's Top Host competition
Solís will learn at 7pm if she won Ryan Seacrest's Top Host competition
November 12: Tonight at 7pm at Elaine’s Literary Salon — Proud Caridura Edna Solís will learn whether she is the winner of the 2026 Top Host competition—a nationwide online search and casting campaign run by Colossal to discover the next great voice in podcasting and broadcasting, benefiting the Ryan Seacrest Foundation. As of today, she is the first in her group to win the top prize, which includes her own podcast produced by iHeartRadio, $25,000, and a guest spot on Seacrest’s show, On Air.
Click here to vote for Top Host Edna Solís.
The announcement will be made at Elaine’s, 208 Queen Street in Old Town, when Solís launches her debut young adult novel, The Secret Earth Society: The Bio-Adventure Hack. Filled with illustrations based on Edna’s photographs, readers can color their way through an enchanted journey to the magnificent Bioluminescent Mosquito Bay in Vieques, Puerto Rico, which grown-ups will also enjoy.
“I was raised amid the scenic landscapes of Luquillo and want readers to experience the magic of my homeland,” explains Solís, noting that her childhood built in her an adventurous spirit and taught her the value of perseverance, empathy, and authenticity. “That mindset came in handy after I immigrated to the DC area and life handed me more than a few lemons. Rather than wallow, I turned to creativity and penned my first novel.”
Deeply passionate about art, music, nature, and genuine human connections, Solís believes daily learning and curiosity are the true cornerstones of personal growth and fulfillment. “In my books, I hope readers will find enriching insights and thought-provoking messages designed to awaken the mind, touch the heart, and walk alongside readers on their own journey toward balance and purpose.”
About Olivia is a sharp, systematic thinker; Lucas is a gifted coder immersed in pixel worlds. Their lives change when a school aquarium trip introduces them to a rare, galactic effect: water glowing in a vibrant blue originating from Puerto Rico’s Mosquito Bay. With the clock ticking toward a magical summer New Moon, a journey is born. Follow these two tech-obsessed kids as they leverage code and strategy to conquer their real-world responsibilities and unlock the secret of the glowing sea. Learn more about The Secret Earth Society.
The agenda for tonight’s event at Elaine’s Literary Salon: 208 Queen Street, Alexandria, VA
- 6 pm: Meet, greet, and order food and drinks from Elaine’s award-winning menu
- 7 pm: Our 45-minute interview begins, followed by a 15-minute Q&A with the audience to be produced on our popular podcast and video series
- 8 pm: Guests talk with the author, buy her books, and get them signed!
Click here to reserve your free ticket to tonight’s event!
Elaine’s Literary Salon is located at Elaine’s Restaurant. The award-winning menu features delicious modern Mediterranean cuisine and is sure to please everyone in your party. The dishes are inspired by exquisite food from Alexandria, Egypt—a blend of Middle Eastern, French, Greek, and Italian influences. Elaine’s is named for the owner’s grandmother and reflects a promise she made at age 12 while growing up in Cairo. “I promised my grandma I would someday own a restaurant and name it after her,” shares Cynthia, who is also an author. She and her husband, bestselling thriller novelist Jeffrey James Higgins, are proud to share family recipes with new friends and families in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Located in an 1880s building, it was the former home of the beloved bistro Bilbo Baggins for 38 years. The beautifully renovated restaurant is located in the heart of Old Town’s Historic District within sight of the Potomac River and Founders Park, just a few blocks from The Torpedo Factory Art Center and Old Town Alexandria Waterfront. Make a reservation today: elaines-restaurant.com.
