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Best of the Babbler Fiction Blog
God to Smite Bolingbrook: Best of the Babbler 1998 to 2016
William Brinkman started the Bolingbrook Babbler web series in 1998, and some Bolingbrook politicians wish he hadn’t.
God to Smite Bolingbrook is a collection of William’s web articles, described as a cross between the Onion and the Weekly World News. It’s a collection of articles from the fictional Bolingbrook Babbler, Bolingbrook’s first and only true tabloid. For the first time, the articles about Clow UFO Base, Bolingbrook’s sister planet, a crocoduck attack, PZ vs. the Space Pope, Taslima Nasreen debating the alien author of the Koran, the underground evo-psych house, and the most important mayor in the galaxy are compiled into one eBook.
Many of these articles haven’t been online in several years. Each story has an introduction written only for this collection. If you’ve ever wanted to read the Babbler articles that predate the move to Freethought Blogs, this is the eBook for you. If you want to read early versions of the monsters and concepts featured in the Bolingbrook Babbler Stories, you’ll want to check out God to Smite Bolingbrook.
Free and only available to all the subscribers of William’s author mailing list.
The Bolingbrook Babbler Stories (Based on the web series but with a different continuity)
Pathways to Bolingbrook
Pathways to Bolingbrook: A Bolingbrook Babbler Story
Between the shadows and the stars lie the pathways to Bolingbrook
Miriam and Sara both feel they’re on the wrong path. Miriam, abandoned by her family, is homeless, alone, and stuck in Iowa City. Sara, a mother of two, is a reporter at a struggling suburban Chicagoland newspaper chain.
Then they each find themselves at a crossroads. A stranger offers Miriam a chance to escape Iowa City and her past. Sara discovers a mysterious recording of a conversation she doesn’t remember.
While the new paths may lead to what Miriam and Sara want, there are also hidden dangers along each path. As Sara’s investigation brings her closer to Bolingbrook, her publisher threatens her job and urges her to think about her children if she continues. Miriam wants to escape, but she knows everything has a price. Will they find the answers they need along the Pathways to Bolingbrook?
This is the first book of the Bolingbrook Babbler Stories, an Urban Fantasy Series set in suburban Chicagoland. Perfect for fans of the Dresden Files and Let the Right One In.
Ebook is available for free at Amazon, Kobo, and other retailers.
A Fire in the Shadows: A Bolingbrook Babbler Story
A Fire in the Shadows
“Action-packed, entertaining, and haunting in its delivery, author William Brinkman’s “A Fire in the Shadows” is a great entry into the Bolingbrook Babbler Story series…” — Author Anthony Avina
“Every new development in the story was thought out and interesting. The plot and story line was very smooth and allowed you to get caught up in reading without feeling like you were reading – but engaged in the story.” — Early access reviewer
“A thrilling ́vampire ́ fantasy packed full of twists, turns—and danger!”—Wishing Shelf
No one is lonelier than a vampire who loves.
Lydia is an exceptional vampire—not only as an urban scout and skilled fighter, but because she’s regained her ability to love others. While her family teases her for having crushes, traditionalist vampires would kill Lydia if they knew about her forbidden feelings.
But when an investigation takes her to Bolingbrook, she falls for the editor of paranormal tabloid the Babbler. Sara is one of the few humans who believes in the vampires she reports on— and, freshly heartbroken and devastatingly lonely, Lydia finds herself imagining things she shouldn’t.
Then, enforcers from one of Chicago’s vampire kingdoms upend the supernatural community and threaten Sara’s life. Lydia leaps to her defense, but while skill and passion win fights, can they save a vampire from the greatest weakness of all—love?
This novelette is part of the Bolingbrook Babbler Stories and takes place during the events of The Rift. An Urban Fantasy Series set in suburban Chicago land for fans of the Dresden Files and Let the Right One in.
Buy A Fire in the Shadows and enter a community where the truth is unbelievable and the shadows are deadly.
Order now from Amazon and other retailers.
The Rift: A Bolingbrook Babbler Story
The Rift: A Bolingbrook Babbler Story
***** “A richly written novel filled with memorable characters. Highly recommended!”— The Wishing Shelf
“A compelling tale where a skeptic blogger must question his views, fantasy becomes reality, and lessons are learned. Just when you think you have it figured out, you’ll never guess what happens next.”— Megan Rahm, author of Free to Roam: Poems from a Heathen Mommy
**** — Reedsy Discovery
Lies divide the world — but so does the truth.
Tom Larsen once devoured the outlandish stories of the Bolingbrook Babbler, mesmerized by tales of UFOs and monsters lurking in the shadows. Now a member of the skeptical movement, he’s more interested in debunking the garish lies he once believed.
When a drunken incident allows a woman to publicly humiliate him, Tom doubles down on a career of antagonistic commentary. Then, three years later, a chance to confront her and expose her anti-skeptic agenda falls into his lap.
Determined to publicize the truth as he knows it, Tom unwittingly unearths rifts that go beyond his town’s — and even the galaxy’s — borders. As he pursues his goal, he forges new alliances with old enemies, and encounters weredeer, secret societies, and even time travel.
But each encounter changes Tom’s perspective more than the last. And the closer he gets to the truth, the less simple it looks…
Aliens, gender politics, and conspiracy theories collide in this X-Files meets Fargo urban fantasy sci-fi set in Chicagoland.
Available at Amazon, and other retailers.
Revenge of the Phantom Press: A Bolingbrook Babbler Story
Revenge of the Phantom Press
An undying rage from the past threatens Bolingbrook’s future
Bolingbrook, a growing southwest suburban Chicago, has always been a hub of paranormal activity. But after Tom Larsen leaves the skeptical movement to become a paranormal investigative reporter for his local tabloid, the Bolingbrook Babbler, he realizes that covering otherworldly events is no simple task. Despite his family, the community, and even prominent skeptics questioning his sanity, Tom is determined to succeed at this new job.
But when the ghosts who once published the rival tabloid, the Phantom Press, return, they turn Tom’s world upside down. Their attack on the Babbler’s newsroom leaves its survivors in a state of shock. Tom is determined to find out why these once peaceful spirits have turned violent. With the help of his former mentor, skeptical movement leader Juanita Vega, and her anti-psychic cat, Tom delves deeper into the mystery.
But as they uncover more secrets, Tom realizes that there may be more at play than just vengeful spirits. Bolingbrook’s Department of Paranormal Affairs urges them to drop the investigation. Occultists attack them by channeling the power of ghosts. And a powerful being known as Legion claims that Tom is the key to its plan—a plan that could destroy the Bolingbrook itself.
Can Tom navigate through a web of secrets and lies to save Bolingbrook’s future? Or will he fall victim to the revenge of the Phantom Press?
For fans of shows like The X-Files and Welcome to Night Vale, Revenge of the Phantom Press is a thrilling urban fantasy paranormal mystery set in the world of the Bolingbrook Babbler Stories.
Buy a copy to uncover the unbelievable truth about Bolingbrook, IL.
Available for preorder at Amazon and other retailers.