Milkweed Editions
Lauren Langston Klein is a seasoned editorial professional with extensive experience in the publishing industry. Currently serving as Managing Editor at Milkweed Editions since September 2022, Klein previously held the position of Editorial Director at Dexterity Books where leadership contributions included enhancing editorial practices, evaluating manuscripts, and managing cover design alongside a large team of freelancers. Prior roles include Senior Editor at HarperCollins Publishers, where collaboration with bestselling authors and oversight of manuscript development were key responsibilities, as well as positions at Penguin Random House and Turner Publishing Company focusing on proofreading and copyediting. Klein also served as Managing Editor at Nfocus Magazine, leading content quality and team management efforts. Klein holds an Editing certificate in Publishing from the University of Chicago and a BS in Journalism from the University of Florida.
Milkweed Editions
Just as the common milkweed plant is the site of metamorphosis for monarch butterflies, Milkweed Editions seeks to be a site of metamorphosis in the literary ecosystem. We take risks on debut and experimental writers, we invest significant time and care in the editorial process, and we enable dynamic engagement between authors and readers. We operate as a nonprofit to pursue these ends without overbearing financial pressure. And yet, though profits aren’t our primary focus, helping our authors succeed certainly is. Just so, since our founding in 1980, we’ve published over 350 books of literary fiction, nonfiction, and poetry and now have over four million copies in circulation. We believe that literature has the potential to change the way we see the world, and that bringing new voices to essential conversations is the clearest path to ensuring a vibrant, diverse, and empowered future. Milkweed Editions is an independent publisher of literary fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Our mission is to identify, nurture, and publish transformative literature, and build an engaged community around it. As a 501(c)3 nonprofit, our work is made possible by the generosity of sustaining funders and readers. Join our community of sustaining members today: milkweed.org/membership.