Jenny Bak, Senior Executive Editor

Jenny Bak is Senior Executive Editor at Viking Children’s, where she edits middle grade and young adult fiction, as well as the occasional picture book. She is drawn to stories at the intersection of commercial and literary, especially those with irresistible hooks, a swift pace, clever storytelling, unexpected twists, and authentic, diverse voices. In young adult, she has a particular interest in fantasy, speculative fiction, thrillers, horror, and also contemporary romance that incorporates deeper themes, especially concerning issues of inclusivity and belonging. Science fiction and high fantasy aren’t quite as high on her list!  In middle grade, she’d love to see heartstring-tugging friendship stories, exciting adventure chronicles, magical realism, animal fantasies, and thrilling mysteries to puzzle out. Currently, she edits books by Laurie Halse Anderson, George Lopez, Derrick Barnes, Maia and Alex Shibutani, Gloria Chao, Suzanne Selfors, Sangu Mandanna, Nidhi Chanani, and Nnedi Okorafor, among others. Prior to Viking, she helped launch James Patterson’s children’s imprint as Editorial Director of JIMMY Patterson Books / Little, Brown.