J. Berg (Joseph Berg) Esenwein

Joseph Berg Esenwein was an American editor, lecturer, and writer born in Philadelphia in 1867 and deceased in 1946. He is especially remembered for his editorial work and for writing practical books that taught people how to write short stories, magazine pieces, and other forms of popular literature.

Much of his reputation comes from how clearly and directly he explained craft. Titles such as Writing the Short-Story and Writing for the Magazines show the kind of work he was known for: useful, instructional, and aimed at helping working writers improve. He also collaborated on The Art of Public Speaking, a book that kept his name in circulation with students and general readers.

Beyond his manuals, Esenwein also worked as an anthologist and literary editor, contributing to projects such as the Library of the World's Best Literature. That mix of editor, teacher, and author makes him a good example of a literary professional who shaped not just books themselves, but also how others learned to read, write, and speak.