Kim O’Donnel, food writer and author of “The Meat Lover’s Meatless Cookbook,” will hold a meet and greet book signing Oct. 30 at Shoes, Cups and Cork in downtown Leesburg.

The free event, held from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., will feature samples of foods from O’Donnel’s books, including her new “Meat Lover’s Meatless Celebrations.”

O’Donnel, whose writing has appeared in the Washington Post and USA Today, is swinging through Loudoun amidst a nationwide tour. She’ll be in the District of Columbia Oct. 28 and Oct. 29.

According to her website, O’Donnel is “on a mission to show the meat-eating majority (of which she’s part) that vegetarian fare need not be boring or drab. After four years of incrementally cutting back meat for both health and the environment, Kim [has] discovered cuisines, flavors and textures that kick ‘rabbit food’ to the curb and have created a ‘new normal’ that includes more room for plants on the plate.”

Earlier this year, the Leesburg Town Council passed a proclamation promoting Loudoun Meatless Monday, through which local eateries promote various menu items excluding meat.

“As a former nurse, I can clearly see and appreciate the health benefits, and I’m so impressed as to how making a small, weekly alteration can bring huge benefits,” Jane Shihadeh, co-owner of Shoes and longtime friend of O’Donnel, said. “On the environmental side, it’s nice to be able to reduce damages. As a business owner, I love being able to provide items and menu navigation for vegan and vegetarian customers.”

Loudoun Valley Vineyards will also be on hand at Shoes, located at 17 N. King St., to promote Virginia wines during.

-Trevor Baratko