Ep76: This week at Elaine’s Literary Salon: Learn to demystify the often-intimidating world of pro-se litigation with Towanda Brown’s “Empowering Pro-Se Litigants,” a groundbreaking guide that illuminates the path of self-representation in legal matters

**Meet the Author:** For more than 34 years, Towanda Brown has called Howard County, Maryland, home. Here, she raised two successful African-American sons and emerged as a beacon of advocacy, working tirelessly to ensure fair opportunities in education and beyond for her children and her community. Her story is one of resilience, determination, and an unwavering pursuit of justice—not only for herself, but for all who strive to stand for their rights in the face of daunting legal challenges. With over three decades of experience in business analysis and project management, Towanda now serves as the President of TRACKS, LLC. Her professional expertise seamlessly extends into her passion for community empowerment and legal advocacy. Drawing on both her career accomplishments and personal journey, she is dedicated to equipping individuals with the knowledge and tools they need to confidently navigate the legal system. Towanda’s mission is clear: to transform individuals from passive participants in their legal struggles into empowered, well-informed litigants—capable of advocating for themselves with the same confidence and strategic insight as seasoned attorneys. **Learn more: itsmyjourney.net** **About “Empowering Pro-Se Litigants:** This groundbreaking guide is designed to illuminate the path of self-representation in legal matters. Drawing from her extensive advocacy work and personal journey through the legal system, Brown demystifies the often-intimidating world of pro se litigation. More than a legal handbook, this work is a manifesto for empowerment, resilience, and strategic action. Brown has carefully compiled practical insights on every stage of navigating the courts alone—from understanding fundamental legal procedures to mastering the skills of effective self-representation. Tailored for those who, whether by financial necessity, circumstance, or personal conviction, must represent themselves, this book equips readers from all walks of life to better understand their rights and defend them with confidence. Blending legal expertise with practical advice and personal anecdotes, Brown not only explains *how*to succeed as a pro-se litigant but also addresses the psychological and emotional challenges along the way. Readers will find encouragement to remain resilient, focused, and prepared for the journey of standing up for themselves in court. Click here to buy the book. **https://elainesliterarysalon.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/IMG_20250928_093400.jpg-e1787698094527.webp“Unchecked Spirits Get Stronger”** is a motto born from her journey as a pro-se litigant. It reflects the inner and outer battles—like fear, doubt, anxiety, and isolation—that she had to confront and overcome to stay the course. These ‘spirits’ represent destructive thoughts and pressures that, if left unchecked, grow stronger and sabotage our purpose. Through her book “Empowering Pro-Se Litigants”, she shares how setting boundaries, seeking support, and staying grounded can help silence those voices and overcome these unseen battles. The logo symbolizes resilience, vigilance, and the power of self-awareness to silence destructive voices and reclaim strength. Her goal is to inspire others to identify and confront their own unchecked spirits. When you control your thoughts, you control your power. **There is a lot of symbolism in the logo:** **The stance.**  For martial artists, we know that one of the strongest stances is the horse stance: steady, grounded, and unshakable. Just as warriors depend on their stance to endure the fiercest attacks, we are called to stand firm. **The armor.** Whether seen as spiritual armor or battle attire, the message is the same—strength comes through preparation, discipline, and vigilance. - **For the believer**, this is the **full armor of God**. It reminds us that unchecked spirits—whether doubt, fear, pride, or distraction—gain strength when ignored. To withstand them, you must daily put on the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shield of faith, and the sword of the Spirit. - **For all warriors,** this is the gear from Ancient Roman warriors for battle, including the type of sword.  The logo features a “gladius” sword.  It has a double edge for cutting and a pointed tip for thrusting. This sword was used for close-quarters combat, which we face daily.  **The shadow.**  This shadow can depict that the threat can be from inside of you or outside of you.  However, the enemy is not always outside of us. There is an African proverb mentioned in the book “When there is no enemy within, the enemies outside cannot hurt you”. When you address the negative thoughts about yourself first, you are less likely to believe the negativity expressed towards you by others since you are mentally stronger and better equipped to handle whatever comes your way. **About Elaine’s Literary Salon** **Host, bestselling thriller novelist Jeffrey James Higgins:** A retired supervisory special agent who writes suspense and thriller novels, short stories, creative nonfiction, and essays, in the 20 years Jeffrey worked as a counter-terrorism specialist, he wrestled a suicide bomber, fought the Taliban in combat, and chased terrorists across five continents. He received the Attorney General’s Award for Exceptional Heroism and the DEA Award of Valor. CNN, Fox News, and *The New York Times* have interviewed him, and he’s appeared on CNN Declassified, National Geographic’s Narco Wars, ABC News, and Discovery ID. He has a BS in Journalism and an MS in Criminal Justice. Jeff is a #1 Amazon bestselling author who’s won the Claymore Award, PenCraft’s Best Fiction Book of the Year, and a Reader’s Favorite Gold Medal. His debut novel, Furious, is one of Black Rose Writing’s bestselling thrillers, and The Forever Game was selected as one of the Best Medical Thrillers of the 21st century. Severn River Publishing launched four books in the Nathan Burke international thriller series, and *Library Journal* selected The Havana Syndrome as one of the best books of 2025. He owns Elaine’s Literary Salon in Alexandria, VA, where he counsels writers and interviews authors. He hosts Elaine’s Literary Salon podcast, which reaches 1.5 million people per month and is #1 on both Apple and Spotify for literary salons. The video version of the series is available on YouTube: ElainesLiterarySalon.tv. Jeffrey is an Authors Guild ambassador for the DC area and a frequent panelist at conferences and book festivals. Learn more: jeffreyjameshiggings.com Find more Elaine’s Literary Salon events here: ElainesLiterarySalon.com Elaine’s Literary Salon is located at Elaine’s Restaurant, 208 Queen Street, Alexandria VA About Elaine’s Restaurant:  A menu filled with delicious modern Mediterranean cuisine selections is sure to please everyone in your party. The dishes are inspired by exquisite food from Alexandria, Egypt — a blend of Middle Eastern and French, Greek, and Italian influences. Elaine’s is named for the owner’s grandmother and is based on a promise she made at the age of 12, 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 my family’s 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.**