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 (short story anthology)

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 forever-lasting void. At the end of summer before the start of freshman year, fourteen-year-old Franklin “Please call me Frank” Guerrero, first-generation Filipino American, wants nothing to do with his sickly, hard-drinking Old Dad. In The Magic Pole and Other Fishy Tales, Frank recalls his angst-filled search for identity and coolness. A transformative fishing trip reveals unexpected vulnerability and truths, reshaping their complex bond and turning his frustration into growth, respect, and admiration. Bring tissues for a moving tale filled with laughter and tears of joy.

RELEASE DATE TBA

COMING SOON

From 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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