Jenny Baumgartner

Publishing Strategist | #1 NY Times Bestselling Editor | Former Hachette Executive Editor | “I apologize for such a long letter. I didn’t have time to write a short one.” - Mark Twain

Nashville, Tennessee, United States

About

For more than 25 years, I’ve worked at the intersection of editorial strategy, market positioning, and publishing growth—helping authors, publishers, and publishing teams bring impactful books to readers. Former executive editor at Hachette and editorial director at HarperCollins, my experience spans acquisitions, market research, metadata optimization, sales alignment, launch strategy, and publishing consultation. I'm passionate about collaborating with authors and publishers across traditional, hybrid, and independent publishing models. Select titles: - Joyspan: The Art and Science of Thriving in Life's Second Half by Dr. Kerry Burnight (New York Times and USA Today bestseller) - Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis (#1 New York Times, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestseller) - Saving Aziz by Chad Robichaux (Wall Street Journal bestseller) - A Serial Killer's Daughter by Kerri Rawson (New York Times bestseller) - The Biblio Diet by Jordan Rubin and Dr. Josh Axe (New York Times bestseller) Jenny B Literary Services: ♦ Publishing Consulting ♦ Idea / Concept Development & Market Analysis ♦ Book coaching & manuscript doctoring ♦ Substantive / developmental / line editing ♦ Manuscript Assessments ♦ Acquiring and agenting ♦ Proposals and query letters

Experience

  • Jenny B Literary: Book Coach + Editor + Publishing Consultant + Writing at Self-employed
    Mar 2025 - Present · 1 yr 4 mos

  • Executive Editor at Hachette Book Group
    Oct 2022 - Feb 2025 · 2 yrs 5 mos

  • Editorial Director and Senior Acquisitions Editor at HarperCollins Christian Publishing
    May 2016 - Oct 2022 · 6 yrs 6 mos

    Experienced Senior Acquisitions Editor with a demonstrated history of bestselling and award-winning books, including the #1 New York Times bestsellers, Girl, Wash Your Face by Rachel Hollis and A Serial Killer's Daughter by Kerri Rawson. Strong communication and relational skills with college teaching experience, a master's degree in English, and PhD coursework in English and Rhetoric and Composition.

  • Professional Editor and Publishing Strategist at Jenny B Literary Services
    2006 - 2016 · 10 yrs

    • Provided consulting and editorial services, including project management, substantive critiques, developmental editing, line editing, project management, and proposal development. - Clientele included book publishers (HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster, Penguin Random House, and others), academic publishers and journals, medical websites and journals, literary agents, and more.

  • Graduate Research and Teaching Assistant at The University of Alabama
    Aug 2005 - Jul 2007 · 2 yrs

     Teaching Assistantship Taught freshman English courses; designed course syllabi; coached student writing; contributed to the English Composition Committee’s creation of goals, objectives, and outcomes for the First-Year Writing Program.  Research Assistantship Assistant Editor for IEEE Transactions on Professional Communication. Performed technical editing for peer-reviewed articles; created style guide.