The Complete Works is an independent children’s publishing company creating commercial, market-focused fiction and non-fiction children’s books for publishers around the world. Publishers may come to us with an existing concept, visuals, or creative direction, or with a brief – sometimes no more than a couple of lines. From there, we take responsibility for developing the project into a finished book, or series, working closely with the publisher throughout the entire process. We build each project from the ground up – shaping and refining the concept, commissioning and briefing writers and illustrators, designing and art-directing the book, managing the creative workflow and delivering fully finished, print-ready files. Where required, we also produce supporting sales and presentation material. Publishers are kept fully involved at every stage. Scripts, pencils, final illustrations and proofed layouts are all shared for review and sign off, ensuring complete creative oversight and confidence at each step. Led by Michael Phipps, a children’s publishing professional with over 30 years’ experience, The Complete Works brings together editorial, writing and design expertise with strong creative judgement, ensuring ideas are engaging, clearly structured and professionally executed. Our experience covers preschool through to YA and spans fiction and non-fiction formats including board books, picture books, activity and colouring, novelty formats, comics, reference, licensed publishing and audio. What sets us apart is our publisher mindset. Every project is developed with a clear understanding of how books are commissioned, scheduled, sold and taken to market internationally. We focus on clarity, efficiency and ideas that work across territories – not just creatively, but commercially, too. We have built and led successful publishing programmes, commissioned profitable lists, worked closely with licensors and creative teams, and understand exactly what publishers need to move smoothly from an initial idea to a finished, saleable product. Strong project management sits at the heart of everything we do – we work quickly, communicate clearly and consistently deliver to agreed schedules. Whether you need help bringing an existing idea to life, developing a brief into a complete book, or creating a fully formed series ready to take to market, The Complete Works is a trusted creative partner that makes the book-making process simpler, faster and more reliable.

Michael Phipps

The Complete Works is an independent children’s publishing company creating commercial, market-focused fiction and non-fiction children’s books for publishers around the world. Publishers may come to us with an existing concept, visuals, or creative direction, or with a brief – sometimes no more than a couple of lines. From there, we take responsibility for developing the project into a finished book, or series, working closely with the publisher throughout the entire process. We build each project from the ground up – shaping and refining the concept, commissioning and briefing writers and illustrators, designing and art-directing the book, managing the creative workflow and delivering fully finished, print-ready files. Where required, we also produce supporting sales and presentation material. Publishers are kept fully involved at every stage. Scripts, pencils, final illustrations and proofed layouts are all shared for review and sign off, ensuring complete creative oversight and confidence at each step. Led by Michael Phipps, a children’s publishing professional with over 30 years’ experience, The Complete Works brings together editorial, writing and design expertise with strong creative judgement, ensuring ideas are engaging, clearly structured and professionally executed. Our experience covers preschool through to YA and spans fiction and non-fiction formats including board books, picture books, activity and colouring, novelty formats, comics, reference, licensed publishing and audio. What sets us apart is our publisher mindset. Every project is developed with a clear understanding of how books are commissioned, scheduled, sold and taken to market internationally. We focus on clarity, efficiency and ideas that work across territories – not just creatively, but commercially, too. We have built and led successful publishing programmes, commissioned profitable lists, worked closely with licensors and creative teams, and understand exactly what publishers need to move smoothly from an initial idea to a finished, saleable product. Strong project management sits at the heart of everything we do – we work quickly, communicate clearly and consistently deliver to agreed schedules. Whether you need help bringing an existing idea to life, developing a brief into a complete book, or creating a fully formed series ready to take to market, The Complete Works is a trusted creative partner that makes the book-making process simpler, faster and more reliable.

Available to hire

The Complete Works is an independent children’s publishing company creating commercial, market-focused fiction and non-fiction children’s books for publishers around the world.

Publishers may come to us with an existing concept, visuals, or creative direction, or with a brief – sometimes no more than a couple of lines. From there, we take responsibility for developing the project into a finished book, or series, working closely with the publisher throughout the entire process.

We build each project from the ground up – shaping and refining the concept, commissioning and briefing writers and illustrators, designing and art-directing the book, managing the creative workflow and delivering fully finished, print-ready files. Where required, we also produce supporting sales and presentation material.

Publishers are kept fully involved at every stage. Scripts, pencils, final illustrations and proofed layouts are all shared for review and sign off, ensuring complete creative oversight and confidence at each step.

Led by Michael Phipps, a children’s publishing professional with over 30 years’ experience, The Complete Works brings together editorial, writing and design expertise with strong creative judgement, ensuring ideas are engaging, clearly structured and professionally executed.

Our experience covers preschool through to YA and spans fiction and non-fiction formats including board books, picture books, activity and colouring, novelty formats, comics, reference, licensed publishing and audio.

What sets us apart is our publisher mindset. Every project is developed with a clear understanding of how books are commissioned, scheduled, sold and taken to market internationally. We focus on clarity, efficiency and ideas that work across territories – not just creatively, but commercially, too.

We have built and led successful publishing programmes, commissioned profitable lists, worked closely with licensors and creative teams, and understand exactly what publishers need to move smoothly from an initial idea to a finished, saleable product. Strong project management sits at the heart of everything we do – we work quickly, communicate clearly and consistently deliver to agreed schedules.

Whether you need help bringing an existing idea to life, developing a brief into a complete book, or creating a fully formed series ready to take to market, The Complete Works is a trusted creative partner that makes the book-making process simpler, faster and more reliable.

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Language

English
Fluent

Work Experience

Creative Director at The Complete Works
March 1, 2023 - Present
Founded in the UK, The Complete Works creates commercial, market-focused fiction and non-fiction children’s books for publishers worldwide. We develop projects from an initial idea, or brief, through to fully finished, print ready files, managing writing, illustration, design and schedules across preschool to YA, including picture books, board books, activity, novelty, licensed and audio publishing.
Content Manager at Ability Superstore
October 1, 2020 - February 28, 2023
In charge of all content, creating blogs, articles and product copy; edited for SEO; managed product videos, photography and marketing; posted regularly on social media channels.
Creative Director at The Complete Works
May 1, 2019 - September 30, 2020
Founded in the UK, The Complete Works creates commercial, market-focused fiction and non-fiction children’s books for publishers worldwide.
Publisher at Sweet Cherry Publishing
May 1, 2018 - April 30, 2019
Created preschool/toddler formats/ranges to expand international presence; established a licensing programme and secured licenses, including rights related to partnering with Aardman and Warner Bros. shows.
Publisher at Igloo Books Ltd
December 1, 2009 - March 31, 2018
Created and delivered commercially successful and creatively distinctive publishing programmes for both children and adults across a wide range of formats, categories and licensed properties. The role focused on developing new and innovative product ranges from initial concept through to publication, with a strong emphasis on profitability, scalability and international co edition potential. Led the full creative and commercial development of publishing programmes built entirely from scratch, including strategic planning, financial modelling and P&L ownership. Directed multidisciplinary creative teams and held responsibility for commissioning authors and illustrators, selecting and briefing artists, art directing covers and interior designs, and reviewing synopses and final manuscripts to ensure editorial quality and market relevance. Oversaw the commissioning and production of audio titles, including the selection, booking and management of celebrity talent and maintained creative oversight across all book and book plus products to ensure brand consistency and commercial strength. Researched, negotiated and secured a wide range of high profile licences, including DreamWorks, Hasbro properties, Miraculous, Alvin and the Chipmunks, and Bullseye, among others. Managed all creative budgets and negotiated commercial terms with authors, artists, agents, musicians, celebrities and licensors. Implemented robust systems and workflows to ensure projects met agreed schedules, were delivered on time and were structured to support international co-edition publishing. Worked closely with production teams to align creative ambition with manufacturing efficiency and cost control. Led and developed a team of approximately 50 staff, including editors, designers, administrators, sales support teams and senior managers, while collaborating closely with production and international licensing partners. Maintained ongoing communication with licensors worldwide, providing clear updates at every stage of the commissioning and publishing process from contract through to finished product and beyond. Delivered a proven track record of commissioning profitable, globally viable titles, contributing directly to the growth of the business from a £6 million turnover to £32 million over an eight-year period.

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Industry Experience

Media & Entertainment, Education, Professional Services, Other