John Griswold

John Griswold – Editor

20+ years as a development editor, copy editor, and proofreader, in both nonfiction and fiction. Former MFA faculty and author of 4 books.

Overview


Hi! I am the founding editor of Crux, a book series for memoir, essays, and nature writing, at University of Georgia Press. I have also been the editor of journals and professional blogs, and writing faculty at three universities.

Together we can discuss the big view of your project, develop your material for best effect, and find ways to clarify and distill your prose, in order to make your voice more powerful.

My first three books made several "Best Of" lists, including at the Chicago Tribune, and won awards such as the Foreword Book of the Year. My fourth book, a collection of essays, will publish in 2022.

My writing has appeared in The Best American Sports Writing 2020, McSweeney's, Longreads, and many other places, and has been noted in The Best American Essays 2021, The Best Creative Nonfiction, and The Best American Nonrequired Reading.

I look forward to working with you!
Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Travel Writing & Publishing
Fiction
Literary Fiction Short Story
Languages
English (US)
Certifications
  • MFA in creative writing and English
  • BA in English and philosophy

Work experience

The Common Reader, Washington University in St. Louis

Aug, 2018 — Present

I write and edit short and long essays, journalism, profiles, travel pieces, environmental writing, interviews, and book reviews.

McNeese State MFA program

Aug, 2012 — Jul, 2018 (almost 6 years)

Read portfolios, selected grad students for admission, administered program, taught classes and workshops, directed book-length theses, and edited the national literary journal.

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Aug, 2000 — Jul, 2012 (almost 12 years)

Taught thousands of students creative writing and literature, in settings from independent studies to live/learn communities to lecture halls of 240.

John has 3 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Roger B.

Roger B.

Sep, 2023

This was my first experience working with a Reedsy professional editor and John was always responsive in a timely fashion. His report on the editorial assessment was very thought provoking and I obtained several new ways to think about the book I have written. He has extensive experience in doing editing and that experience paid off for me in the suggestions he made. His written report was very...
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Jen Y.

Jen Y.

Jul, 2022

Another great collaboration experience with John. He is highly knowledgeable and cares about you as a writer. I highly recommend working with John. You won't be disappointed.
Jen Y.

Jen Y.

Jan, 2022

John is simply...awesome. He edited a short story and two chapters to a book I'm writing. I was freaking out over getting all this done and was on a short timeline so I came to Reedsy looking for help. Fortunately, John was willing to take on the project. He helped, A LOT with making the pieces "shine." John also taught me points about writing that I didn't know and needed to know. He definitel...
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