The Backstage Heroes
It was the best of times … it was the NOT best of times!
With a twenty-foot-tall Über Swine, this next show is going to be HUGE! It has to be. With the bank on his back and actors in an uproar, Willard B. Dempster, playwright and manager of the Balvadore Theatre, knows that everything is resting on this.
But a wild, stormy night and a devastating catastrophe will soon change all of Willard’s plans, and the rag-tag theatre crew will find themselves on a journey that will change their lives forever.
Launch out on this brand new middle grade adventure with us. It’s action-packed fun for the whole family.
Get Your Name in the Book!
Have you always wanted to have your name printed in a book? Now is your chance! With this special pre-order offer, you’ll be a listed Balvadore Theatre patron for all future printings of the book. Hurry though. Space is limited and it will be on a first come basis.
The pre-order offer includes:
Pre-Order Offer Ends May 12, 2026
“A soaring soliloquy of stoutheartedness in song.
Against all odds, the epic adventure of the century!”
– Gelsey “Scoop” Bingham, The Balvadore Chronicle
Read the first chapter of The Backstage Heroes: Act One!
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About the Author
An Australian by birth, Philip set off on an adventure in his early twenties, through Asia and Europe and eventually on to Upstate South Carolina, which he now calls home.
Philip is the author of the middle grade adventure series, The Growly Books, and also a brand new release, The Backstage Heroes.
When not writing about bears and late nineteenth century community theatre troupes, Philip enjoys spending time with his family and a Boingle named Raina.
In case you’re wondering …
This looks a little bit different than Growly.
Yes! Though still a children’s book for the middle grade audience, this is a different kind of story than The Growly Books. Most of The Backstage Heroes: Act One was written before Wavecrasher (Growly Book #6) was released. It was an idea that had been floating around since before I got started on the Growly series.
Some Backstage Heroes/Growly comparisons:
A few notes for the younger crowd.
The main characters in this series are people, and, being people, they sometimes make mistakes. At times they can be unkind, selfish, impulsive, and dishonest. This is shown for what it is and is never excused. Though the series is primarily a fun adventure, the characters coming face to face with their character flaws is an important part of the story.
There is a 20ft tall mechanical pig, and there are villain-ish types. The mood, though, is firmly on the comical side.
