Elderberry Press, Inc.

I thank you for creating a publishing company so welcoming to unpublished writers.  I had naively thought that once I finished writing my story I could just send it off to publishers. It was quite discouraging to see how many of them do not accept unsolicited manuscripts. It made it an especially joyful discovery to come upon your website with no gatekeepers, not even any gates, just a wide-open welcome that made room for hope and possibilities.

Anne Dente, author of Mrs. Bugabee

YOU MAKE EVERYTHING EASY AND STRESS FREE, I'M LOVING IT!

Elsie Belman

After having had the honor of being rejected by most of the major New York publishers, Dave saw merit in my work and took me on as an author. The result? I am now published nationwide, my book is in bookstores and libraries and I have been critically reviewed. My first major market wow, 2084: The Year of the Liberal, is selling steadily across the country. I'm so happy with Elderberry Press that I'm running my next book, The Liberal Masters through them, as well. To the beginner or to the veteran author - battered and bruised by rejection - this is an opportunity to get your material before the public, who will either give you a thumbs up or down. Finally, after, myself, having been mugged by agents and publishers for years, it's so refreshing to find somebody who is honest, in the publishing business! (As rare as the woolly mammoth!) In a word, for the author "with a message", I highly recommend Elderberry Press as a means of getting your message out!

David L. Hale, author of 2084: The Year of the Liberal

I'm impressed with the way you conduct business and support of your authors. Thanks again.

David Wood, M.D., author of Why Worry?

Frequently, authors justifiably complain about their inability to communicate with their editor. When such lament reaches my ears, my response is as quick as it is reassuring: just try Elderberry Press. You will be able to contact Dave St. John any time, and he will always respond with grace and style. 

Roger Fernandez, author of Odyssey To Opportunity 

I am wholeheartedly recommending Dave St. John a s a publisher. I know that Elderberry Press isn't one of the 'big boys', but what it makes up for in size, is greatly compensated for in caring and style. You can actually get a hold of your publisher whenever you need to. Pretty amazing. Dave also act s as a friend, and in my opinion, an agent, as he allows you to go off in search of a large publisher, while he is concurrently pushing your book as hard as he can. Without boring you with details, he is a joy to work with, very kind and helpful, and puts out a great product. Besides, he seems to agree with me that dogs are just funny looking people that have strange taste in clothes.

 

Vincent Lutterbie, author of After The Facts

I feel really lucky to have happened upon your website. Who would have thought that there could be a true connection between two people working towards the a common goal, whom I might add, have never formally met each other? That speaks volumes of the type person you are towards the authors you publish.

Addie Washington

You have been terrific in your efforts to get the book to me in time for our national convention. I'm very grateful to you.

E. Gerald Pires, author of Ichi Ban Outfit

Of all the interesting endeavors of my life I thought the long days and nights which became weeks and months spent in the writing of my (first) novel, was absolutely the most satisfying That is, until I discovered (executive) editor of Elderberry Press, David St. John. He has turned this experience into so much more for me...it's put the cherry on the sundae! At a family get-together the other day, I was telling our sons and their wives how much working with David has enhanced the already satisfying experience of writing my (first) novel. After listening for a while, one of them said, "I think I'll try writing a book, just so I can meet this incredible man."

Mary Wadsworth-Cooke, author of Lots & Lots of Sugar:

 I'd write another book just to be able to work with you. Thanks for all you do.

 

Zeph E. Daniel, author of LAMB

I can't express my gratitude for your suggestions on my book. They made it a bettter book.

Leo Johnson, author of The Layman's Guide to the Global Warming Hoax

The book is wonderful! Thanks for all your hard work.

Rachel Verdon, author of Lyme Disease and the SS Elbrus:

You have made my feelings toward the act of getting published actually enjoyable, and I gotta tell you, it never was a whole lot of fun before. EVERYBODY to whom I have shown LAST DAYS OF A TOYSHOP is enchanted with the look of the book and many have promised to order it. It is a book I can be proud of. Thanks again.

Annabel Johnson, author of dozens of novels published by big NY publishers, of which there are over a million in print in several languages

I live on a planet of sincerity, hard work and truth; you live in hell. All you do is rake in other peoples hard earned money, while you sit  back and do little. Nothing to what you do. I suggest you change your title from "Editor" to something like "villain or crook or swindler or con artist or cheat or charlatan."   Any one fits you.                                 K.B.

Well, golly, you didn't expect them all to be good, did you? This author subsequently learned the errors he found in his book were not mine, but his own. I have yet to receive an apology. Shall I hold my breath do you think?

 Having been previously published by a New York house, I was unsure what to expect from Elderberry. My experience with New York had been "interesting." I found out that I had little to no input on decisions concerning my book s, and that the publishing world worked in its own slow, mysterious ways and could not be bothered to keep me informed of progress. The titles and cover art of both my books were determined without any input from me--not even, "Here's our short list; what do you think?" (One book that takes place in the Superstition Mountains east of Phoenix, AZ has for cover art Red Rocks Crossing in Sedona, AZ. I guess in New York, Arizona is Arizona.) The titles of my books were similarly determined and I was informed after the fact: "We hope you'll be as happy with the title as we are." (I wasn't.) I dutifully sent in my galley proofs by their deadlines, then waited in a void until I received a box of books from my agent. That was my first clue that my book was available. So entering into business with Elderberry, I expected a similar experience. I quickly found out that was not going to be the case. Dave and I worked tirelessly together to determine the title, subtitle, cover art, blurbs, even the font style on my book. Through endless e-mails traded back and forth through the days, we hammered out solutions that were both satisfying to me and commercially viable for him. We may have gone through literally hundreds of iterations, voting for or against as our heads and hearts dictated, whittling the long list down to a short one, finally coming to mutual agreement. I found this aspect of creation very different from the writing but just as important to be immensely enjoyable, and I think the energy we both put into it shows in the quality of the book. It was not only hugely satisfying for me to have this kind of rapport, interaction and support from my editor, but it was FUN. You are without a doubt the most thoughtful, attentive, courteous, easy-to-do-business-with publisher on the face of the planet. Don't go getting a swelled head, but you are the BEST!

Melissa Bowersock, author of Goddess Rising:

You are a pleasure to work with, too, and I am pleased that you are doing my first book. The second one will be sent to you as well. This from Mary Cooke, author of Lots and Lots of Sugar: Thank you for the Human Events ad you sent to me. Great piece and glad to be part of it! Thanks also for the continual items on book promotion. So glad you remember all of us long after our books have been published. D. Schmidt says: I am impressed with Elderberry's website, your obvious dedication to book distribution and promotion, and your personal enthusiasm.

Tom Ostrom, author of The History of the USCG 

Again, Mr. St. John, please do accept my deepest thanks for your incredible kindness and wonderful humanity. If I were a writer, I should hope to have such a tremendous editor as yourself.

A.M.D. 

Having my book published by you was a monumental reward. Thank you for all your help. Gifts of the Nile has already touched people's hearts. From a writer in Thailand: Dave, I've been bouncing around the web wondering who to approach next and stopped at your page. I can see from your website that you're an honest and realistic type of bloke and I like that. I loved your Caveat Emptor piece especially the What publishing isn't vanity? Good level-headed advice in a sea of confusion. It's exactly what I needed.

  Jasmine Humphreys, an author living in Australia