ABOUT

Gianna Lakenauth is an Associate Editor at Knopf Books for Young Readers. Her list is focused on middle-grade and young adult novels with select picture books. Gianna loves cinematic stories with big feelings. As an immigrant from Guyana, she is always on the lookout for stories that center Caribbean characters, and stories that explore identity, class, and coming-of-age themes. You can learn more about what she is looking for on her MSWL page and some of the books she has edited in the Books Edited section. Gianna holds a BA in Applied Psychology and a MS in Publishing from Pace University. She has participated as a mentor in the Representation Matters Mentorship Program, an editor in The Word Storytelling Mentorship, and is also part of the Mentorship & Retention Board for People of Color in Publishing. In her spare time, she gushes over her cat, takes long walks, and watches a lot of TV. Other hobbies include reading, traveling, and trying out different restaurants. Gianna is also currently hard at her work on her own books and is represented by Wendi Gu at Greenburger Kids.