Wilson-Max joins HCCB as publisher to create own list

Ken Wilson-Max has joined HarperCollins Children's Books as a publisher, where he will create his own list across picture books, fiction and non-fiction.

He will take up the role with immediate effect and joins the children’s leadership team, reporting to children’s executive publisher Ann-Janine Murtagh.

Wilson-Max is an award-winning author, illustrator and publisher of children’s books. He began his publishing career as a designer at Orchard Books in 1987, moving on to BBC Enterprises and then David Bennett Books. In 2017 he became co-owner and publisher at Alanna Max, refining his inclusive approach alongside other creators.

His career as a children’s writer began in the early 1990s and he has gone on to write and illustrate more than 70 children’s books, which have won multiple awards and been published across the globe.

Wilson-Max was named among the 100 Breaking New Ground British writers and illustrators of colour and is a mentor for the Pathways into Children’s Publishing programme. He is listed as one of the 150 important children’s books creators by the African American Literature Book Club in the US. 

Murtagh said: “I have known Ken for many years and have been lucky enough to publish his books, spend countless evenings in Bologna discussing the book industry with him and have been hugely impressed with his work as a publisher. I am delighted that he will now be bringing his many talents, incredible energy and vision to HarperCollins Children’s Books to create an exciting new list for us. He will be working alongside my exceptionally talented team and I can’t wait for him to join us. I know Ken will publish some truly great books and look forward to some inspired publishing ahead.” 

Wilson-Max added: “When I started talking with Ann-Janine about creating a new list with new voices within HarperCollins Children’s Books it was exciting enough, but stepping into this role in reality takes the excitement to another level. I am looking forward to helping connect different points of view with commercial-minded thinking to produce wonderful, high-quality books for all children.”