Philip‑Jon Haarsma (born June 5 1964 in Georgetown, Ontario, Canada) is a Canadian‑born producer, photographer, and science‑fiction author. He holds dual citizenship in Canada and the United States. Haarsma is best known for creating the Rings of Orbis universe, which includes the young‑adult science‑fiction series The Softwire (titles such as Virus on Orbis 1, Betrayal on Orbis 2, Wormhole Pirates on Orbis 3, and Awakening on Orbis 4). The series is accompanied by a free, online role‑playing game set in the same universe, designed to encourage reluctant readers by rewarding them for reading.
Haarsma earned a Bachelor of Science degree from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, before moving to the United States in 1989. He worked as a fashion and commercial photographer in New York City and Miami, receiving several photography awards, including an honorable mention at the Cannes Lion Awards (1996).
In 2002 he founded Redbear Films, a production company that initially produced the feature film Devious Beings and later focused on advertising. Redbear Films produced the digital series Con Man, a Syfy web series co‑created by Alan Tudyk and Nathan Fillion; the series was crowdfunded through Indiegogo and earned a regional Emmy Award in 2021 for the commercial “Journey” for UCI Health.
Haarsma is also a co‑founder of Kids Need to Read, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that donates books to underfunded schools and libraries, and he runs a school‑presentation program discussing The Softwire books, astronomy, and science topics.
Personal life: Haarsma lives in Los Angeles with his wife, artist Marisa Grieco, and their two daughters, Skylar and Zoe. He continues to write, produce media, and promote literacy through his various initiatives.
