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 travel essays, published 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, 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 8 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

martin W.

martin W.

Sep, 2025

This is my second contract with John. I would sign for xxxxx more. Enough said. He is the best. We are not done.
martin W.

martin W.

Jul, 2025

I am so pleased with John Griswold's skill, intelligence, knowledge and sensitivity that I am trying to have a second contract with him. Trying.
Glenn L.

Glenn L.

May, 2025

John did a lot of work for a reasonable price. He will give you a classic literature point of view.
My Huong L.

My Huong L.

May, 2025

I am incredibly pleased I chose John to work on my book. His attention to detail, thoroughness, and constructive feedback have been invaluable throughout the editing process. John consistently goes above and beyond, offering insightful suggestions that have greatly improved the structure and clar...
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Frida W.

Frida W.

Dec, 2024

Working with John was exactly the experience I needed—and more. As someone applying for an MFA in Creative Writing after two unsuccessful attempts, I came to him with two stories that I thought were polished but still missing something vital. Over the years, my writing had been reviewed by many p...
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