PJ Haarsma

Philip-Jon Haarsma (born June 5, 1964), more commonly known as PJ Haarsma, is a Canadian-born producer and science fiction author best known for his creation of the Rings of Orbis universe, which encompasses The Softwire series of books. Haarsma created a free, online role-playing game, also called the Rings of Orbis, set in the same universe. Both the book-series and the game target young, often reluctant readers in an attempt to encourage them by rewarding them for reading. He is also the founder and CEO of Redbear Films, a production company that focuses on advertisements.

Haarsma developed a school presentation program in which he discusses The Softwire books, astronomy, and other science fiction and science fact topics. He is also one of the co-founders of Kids Need to Read, a United States Internal Revenue Code 501(c)(3) tax exempt public charity that purchases books to donate to underfunded schools and libraries.

Haarsma, along with Redbear Films colleagues Andre Marcel and Drew Lewis, received a regional Emmy in 2021 for the commercial "Journey" for UCI Health.

Personal life Philip-Jon Haarsma was born on June 5, 1964, in Georgetown, Ontario. Though he was named after his grandfathers, Philip and Jon, he went simply by "Jon" while growing up. Later, while attending McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, where he received a Bachelor of Science degree, he began to use his initials, "PJ", and his books are published under the name "PJ Haarsma".

After he moved to the United States in 1989, Haarsma worked as a fashion and commercial photographer in New York City and Miami. He received many photography awards, including an honorable mention at the Cannes Lion Awards in 1996. Haarsma owns a production company called Redbear Films, Inc. The company produced one movie (Devious Beings, 2002), and a digital series called Con Man starring Alan Tudyk and Nathan Fillion and several corporate ads for clients such as Hewlett-Packard and Nokia. For 15 years, Redbear Films focused on the production of advertisements.

Haarsma lives in Los Angeles with his wife, sci-fi fantasy artist and host of Your Mystical Guide, Marisa Grieco, and their daughters Skylar and Zoe. through Indiegogo. Haarsma produced the first season with a 23-day shooting schedule. As a 30-year production veteran, Haarsma sees little difference producing a web series over films, TV, or advertising. This series operated under SAG New Media and IATSE contracts, and crew members came from projects like Interstellar, Lord of the Rings, and TV's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.

From the Fast Company Article: “The deliverables are the only thing that’s different. Every other aspect is the same—getting the story, keeping the budget in line, creating a fun set, and keeping people from getting crazy,” says Haarsma. “For a producer, the biggest thing is knowing everyone else’s job to make sure everything’s moving properly, anticipate what could go wrong, and having a tool chest to be able to solve it. ”

Rings of Orbis At the age of 38, Haarsma was not satisfied with his professional life. He began to keep a daily journal, writing about anything (and everything) that came to his mind—until eventually "Johnny T came onto [his] page." Johnny T is the main character, Johnny Turnbull, of Haarsma's The Softwire series. Haarsma chose to give The Softwire a sci-fi setting due to a love of science fiction, and to target a young adult audience with his novels so that children could discover and learn to enjoy the genre.

The Softwire is actually a story that Haarsma began imagining in his childhood.

Rings of Orbis game Haarsma's novels are accompanied by a free, online, role-playing game called Rings of Orbis which acts as a visual companion to the books and is set in the same universe. Players are sometimes required to use information from the books in order to solve puzzles and to unlock areas within the game. Pairing a video game with a novel for young readers, Haarsma says, “brings the book into their world, as opposed to going the other way around.” Stephan Martinière, Dwayne Harris, and Neil Blevins.

The game works to encourage reluctant readers, especially boys, by giving them an interactive game through which to relate to the mysteries found within the books themselves. Players complete quests and earn in-game currency which they can then spend on in-game items designed by Haarsma, all the while they compete to become the best Citizen of the Rings of Orbis.

In January 2008, the process to transform the project into a legal foundation began, and the fan group was separated from the developing organization. On May 22, 2008, The Kids Need to Read Foundation (KNTR) was incorporated in the state of California.

Funds were initially raised through eBay auctions of Firefly and Serenity autographed memorabilia, and The Softwire books and items, and other science fiction and literary themed items.

KNTR has made book donations to forty-one schools and libraries in addition to three multiple library systems. KNTR facilitated a substantial donation of three thousand books by the Phoenix Book Company to the Friends of the New Orleans Public Library, to help with recuperation after Hurricane Katrina. The Odessa Brown Children's Clinic in Seattle was the recipient of a donation amounting to four hundred forty books in February 2008. This clinic, as well as the North Public Health Clinic in Seattle, have received recurring donations from KNTR.

Haarsma remains on the KNTR Advisory Board as founder and consultant for literacy-based activities. By using his position as a young-adult fiction author, Haarsma helps bring attention, support, and funds to the organization.

School visits

Haarsma takes part in school visits to promote his book and encourage imagination and reading in the school children. His presentation lasts fifty minutes, and discussions center around space travel, exploration, The Rings of Orbis universe, and other interactive topics, thus allowing for questions from the students at the conclusion. To help illustrate the scientific topics, NASA supplied Haarsma with space related information to present. Flamingnet Top Choice Award, SCASL Junior Book Award nominee, ALA (American Library Association) Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers Nomination 2008, Great Stone Face Children's Book Award Nomination (Children's Librarians of New Hampshire) 2008-2009, Hal Clement Award for Young Adult Finalist 2007 Betrayal on Orbis 2: 2008 Cybil Award nominee, ALA (American Library Association) Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers Nomination 2009 "Journey" commercial for UCI Health: Commercial – Single Spot winner at the 2021 Regional Emmy Awards from the Pacific Southwest Chapter of the National Television Academy, as Redbear Films and shared with Andre Marcel and Drew Lewis

Works Books in The Softwire series scheduled for publication by Candlewick Press (Each book corresponds to one year on each ring that the children must endure as slaves).

The Softwire Series Virus on Orbis 1, Candlewick Press, 2006 hardcover paperback Betrayal on Orbis 2, Candlewick Press, 2008 hardcover Wormhole Pirates on Orbis 3, Candlewick Press, 2009 hardcover Awakening on Orbis 4, Candlewick Press, March 2010 hardcover