Phil Canalin

AUTHOR

TIME OUT!

The Covid pandemic and a bullying old coach shatter their dreams of playing freshman high school basketball together, but six BFFs with hoops superpowers demand to be seen and heard. Bring it on!

SLOW PITCH SOFTBALL: More Than Just A Game

Through his father ‘s and teammates’ stories, Willie discovers a rollicking, nostalgic tale of softball, family, and life—and learns that Slow Pitch Softball is More Than Just a Game.

INVISIBLE SOCIETY FABLES: Short Stories on Homelessness

Reimagined Aesop’s Fables look at homelessness, circumstance and, inevitably, hope. Short story collection about the people that society often ignores.

JUST HUG A BUBBLE

The Boy believes he is so happy in his Bubble, but without the ability to reach out, to touch others, to hug . . . could he ever be truly
happy?

OAKLAND NOIR

(Anthology, includes The Three Stooges) Three homeless Oakland young adults spend their days and nights getting wasted. But when one receives a golden ticket, will he seize his chance at a new life or squander it?

THE MAGIC POLE AND OTHER FISHY TALES

A son, a father, and a fishing trip that changes everything.

At a turning point in a boy’s life, one choice can bring him closer to his father—or leave a void that lasts forever. As summer ends and the intimidating start of freshman year approaches, fourteen-year-old Franklin “Please call me Frank” Guerrero is searching for his identity and sense of coolness. A first-generation Filipino American, he would rather avoid dealing with his sickly, hard-drinking Old Dad. Instead, he finds himself confronting the relationship head on. In THE MAGIC POLE AND OTHER FISHY TALES, Frank looks back on the wild, transformative father/son fishing trip that exposed unexpected vulnerability and long-hidden truths. The experience reshapes their complicated bond, turning Frank’s frustration into growth, respect, and admiration. Bring tissues for a moving story filled with laughter, heartache, and tears of joy.

RELEASE DATE TBA

COMING SOON . . .

Previous releases, readings, signings, and FUN!

From Banking to Public Health to Publishing

I’m Phil Canalin. I grew up loving Aesop’s Fables, The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show’s Fractured Fairy Tales and Aesop & Son, and reading every comic book I could find. After ten years in banking, I realized I wanted to support kids rather than make money for other people. I left banking for a career in Public Health—and found the fulfillment I was looking for by helping young people. Along the way, I kept writing story after story.

Forty-five years later, I’m an author whose work has spanned fiction for all ages, noir, short stories, and even a cookbook. Today, I focus on contemporary stories for children, middle grade, and young adult readers, exploring friendship, family, growth, belonging, resilience, and empowerment. It’s still a wild ride—and I’m holding on tight!

I live in Benicia, CA, with Sue, my high-school sweetheart and wife of 46 years. Jessica, her husband Marino, and our grandkids Manaia and Awatea live in Hawaii; Kelsey, her partner Paige, and our grandkid Emerson live in NorCal.

Thanks for stopping by!

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