Elsa Werner (1915-2004) was a prolific writer and editor who specialized in nonfiction. She was one of the first editors for the original Golden Books series and wrote approximately 150 books in the series. She also wrote under the names Elsa Jane Werner Watson, Elsa Jane Werner, Jane Werner, Annie North Bedford, Monica Hill, Elsa Ruth Nast, W. K. Jasner, and A. N. Bedford. In 1958, she was named Woman of the Year in Literature by the Los Angeles Times. Watson also taught continuing-education classes in creative writing and cultural geography.