Phil Earle
Children's Author
Agent
Associate Agent
Assistant
Biography
Phil is slightly obsessive about children’s fiction, so it isn’t a surprise that he decided to try and write some himself.
His debut novel, Being Billy, was nominated for a dozen awards, including the Carnegie Medal and the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize.
He lives with his family in London, writes on the bus and has no plans to write a novel for adults, although he might read one. One day.
Finn's Epic Fails (2026)
Waterstones Children’s Book of the Month for February 2026
A hilarious new series by bestselling author Phil Earle which introduces Finn N. O. Hope and his life of epic failure! Perfect for readers of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, Loki and Tom Gates.
Finn just wants to survive Year 7, but his life is destined to be a series of epic fails. It’s only Tuesday and his scheming, unicorn-obsessed little sister has already stuck a horn to his head (with superglue) and his properly evil older brother has wedgied him 278 times. And don’t even ask what happened at swimming, in front of the whole class. At least he has best friends Laszlo (a hopeless romantic) and Google (ask her anything) by his side as he attempts to turn failure into victory in his very own book that is definitely not a diary.
What to expect:
- Illustrations by the brilliant and hilarious Al Murphy
- Mortifying moments
- Laughter guaranteed
- Disastrous supply teachers
- A stinky stray dog who may just be the perfect best friend
- Pranks!
- Off the scale failometers!!!
- And much more…!
Publications
Selected Publications
Winner of The British Book Awards 2022 Children’s Fiction Book of the Year
Shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal 2022
Waterstones Children’s Book of the Month for June 2021
Inspired by a true story. It’s 1940, and Joseph has been packed off to stay with Mrs F, a gruff woman with no great fondness for children. To Joseph’s amazement, she owns the rundown city zoo where Joseph meets Adonis, a huge silverback gorilla. Adonis is ferociously strong and dangerous, but Joseph finds he has an affinity with the lonely beast. But when the bombs begin to fall, it is up to Joseph to guard Adonis’s cage should it be damaged by a blast. Will Joseph be ready to pull the trigger if it comes to it?
How do you stay on the board when your world is turned upside down?
Charlie’s found his secret talent: skateboarding. It’s his one-way ticket to popularity. All he’s got to do is practice, and nothing’s going to stop him – not his clumsiness, not his overprotective mum, nothing.
Except Charlie isn’t the only one in his family hiding a massive secret, and his next discovery will change everything.
Eight years in a care home makes Billy Finn a professional lifer. And Billy’s angry – with the system, the social workers, and the mother that gave him away.
As far as Billy’s concerned, he’s on his own. His little brother and sister keep him going, though they can’t keep him out of trouble.
But he isn’t being difficult on purpose. Billy’s just being Billy. He can’t be anything else.
Can he?
