This shop was started just for fun while writing my novel during the last year of my MFA program. I wanted an easy way to offer candles like these for my writing friends around the country (especially those who, like me, were working on a thesis or dissertation). As word got out, friends of friends asked for candles of their own favorite writers, and I heard from writers who wanted candles of their literary mentors. Little did I know that Sainted Writers candles would soon be traveling around the world!

Q. What do authors think of these candles?
A. Many of the writers I've featured have personally approved their images and/or the designs, or purchased their own candles. The wonderful Sherman Alexie owns one of the Saint Sherman candles, as do Margaret Atwood and bell hooks, among others. Anne Rice (!) and Neil Gaiman (!) have tweeted about their candles. Diana Gabaldon Facebooked about hers (such a thrill for me), Pulitzer winner Robert Olen Butler (!), and a host of other creative writers, theorists and academics have been great supporters of Sainted Writers. Reps from large publishing houses and independent bookstores have purchased candles, too. Fans have even started giving candles to their favorite authors at readings.

Q. What about copyright/trademark?
A. I seek to use images that are in the public domain, are considered free use, labeled "for use with modification" or under "creative commons" licenses as much as possible, and all are altered/reworked. Use of anything trademarked or copyrighted is something I work to avoid, and is never intentional. Because rules, registrations, and licenses are constantly changing, you may notice that some designs are removed or changed as I work to make sure everything in my shop is following copyright/trademark guidelines, or is abiding by requests from writers/estates of writers.

If you are the owner of a piece of an image or text used, and either want the listing removed, changed or credited with your name and information, rather than clicking "report", please contact me at SaintedWriters (at) gmail.com (or send an Etsy message) and I will honor your request immediately. I very much appreciate kindness and professional conduct in such matters.

Q. Will you "saint" me?
A. If you are a writer who would like to be on a SW candle, or are involved in the writing world and have a suggestion of who should be featured next, please shoot me an Etsy message and we'll talk about it. I'm always happy to hear ideas and work with you to get the image just right!

Q. Will you remove or change my image from your candles?
A. If you are a writer who does not wish to be featured on a candle, by all means, please contact me and I'll remove the listing right away, even if you simply don't care for the design and would prefer something different. I’m also very happy to redesign according to your specifications. It is *very* important to me that each writer is happy with what they see! If you would like a donation to your favorite charity or nonprofit organization to be a part of the listing, I am more than happy to consider that.

Q. What about religion, nationality and the tongue-in-cheek nature of these candles?
A. Absolutely no disrespect is intended toward any religious practices or the writers' backgrounds, only deep admiration for how our favorite storytellers, poets and thinkers have influenced and enhanced our lives and paths as writers ourselves. These candles should be considered non-religious. Each writer comes from a different spiritual practice (or lack thereof), and I've done my best to include writers from an entire spectrum. Many of the writers hail from Christian, Jewish, Hindu, agnostic, atheist, or other backgrounds, different nationalities and countries, and different gender and sexual identities. In no way, shape or form should any designs be considered anything other than good-spirited, and my own spiritual and political beliefs will not come into play when clients commission creative work.