Perhaps you've wondered... is there an editor who both knows good writing when he reads it, and enjoys reading and responding to new writers' work?

There is...

Often, writers write in a vacuum. As a writer myself, I know how hard it is to be read by anyone who recognizes good writing when they see it, and can give advice on how to improve. That's why I take my work as a sacred trust, guiding writers toward a goal they may not be able to see, so close are they to their work.

Why do I read new authors from Africa, Australia, New Zealand, France, Sweden, Canada, Croatia, England, Thailand, Scotland and across the U.S. without charging for my time? Two reasons: One, it's my life's work. And two, I enjoy it. If you are looking for an editor who both reads his submissions and personally responds to writers with specific reactions and recommendations for improvement, you have found him.




David W. St.John, Executive Editor,
President, Elderberry Press, Inc.

My name is David St.John, but I write under the name D.W.St.John. In my half century of life I've striven to perfect my writing craft, and I'm still learning, still making mistakes, still getting better I hope. In my checkered past I've taught middle and high school for a dozen years and (arguably) escaped with my sanity.

I've studied writing on a post grad level, I've taught writing both to children and adults, I've studied lit at The University of Wales, written, produced and directed my own university play. I have four books of my own in print which have been reviewed by PW, NPR, Booklist among others. You will not find them among those on the NYT bestseller list or among the amazon top 100. They were not written with that intent. What you will find is that my books (and our authors' books) are in libraries across the nation... and (most importantly) in readers' hands. That, after all, is where they belong.

As to whether I'm qualified to judge others' work, that you will have to decide for yourself. Ask for one of my books in your public library and see what you think. I must warn you that my opinions of what makes good writing are not shared by everyone.

For an idea of my writing tastes, you might want to look up one of my novels in your public library. You can choose from a story about a teacher: A Terrible Beauty, and a cop novel: See Night Run.
Or you can read a sci-fi story on your computer right now at The Baen Science Fiction Free Library where you can find my novel: Sisters Of Glass.

If you like what you read on our site, I hope to speak with you soon. I'd enjoy reading your manuscript.





David W. St.John
Executive Editor