B. van Bodegom 📃is querying & writing
LightNews LightNews
banner
bvbodegom.bsky.social
B. van Bodegom 📃is querying & writing
@bvbodegom.bsky.social
2.1K followers 3K following 2.2K posts
Emerging author of horror, sci-fi and more. Seeking representation. #Dis father of four. Gamer. 🇳🇱 Forever DM.

Querying DAD BODIES (4 fulls/1 partial out, Big 5 interest)

Writing MARK OF THE JESTER.

Born in the 80's.
Posts Replies Media Videos
bvbodegom.bsky.social
THE LIES OF LOCKE LAMORA × BEST SERVED COLD × THE BUTCHER BOY

When a Court Jester snaps and kills the tyrant king, he must joke and slay his way out of a kingdom in chaos while his sanity frays, hunted by loyalists, hailed by rebels:

MARK OF THE JESTER

#WIPPIT #A #F #H
Moodboard for a dark fantasy novel featuring a jester, regicide and a kingdom in chaos.
November 23, 2025 at 5:53 PM
bvbodegom.bsky.social
THE LIES OF LOCKE LAMORA × BEST SERVED COLD × THE BUTCHER BOY

When a Court Jester snaps and kills the tyrant king, he must joke and slay his way out of a kingdom in chaos while his sanity frays, hunted by loyalists, hailed by rebels.

#WIPPIT #A #F #H
Mock cover of MARK OF THE JESTER, a dark fantasy by the author of Dad Bodies: B. van Bodegom
November 23, 2025 at 3:29 PM
bvbodegom.bsky.social
#WIPSnips from MARK OF THE JESTER.

A gilded cage.

#writingcommunity #amwriting #fantasy #darkfantasy #horror
He stepped through the doors once they clunked to a stop and headed straight for the raised dais at the end of the cavernous chamber. Rows of carved cherry wood pews lined the red carpeted aisle on both sides. Grand crystal chandeliers hung on thick iron chains, heavy enough not to sway in the ever-present draft from the glassless windows above the rafters. Potley's footsteps echoed faintly. Even his naturally stealthy gait in his cloth- and leather-wrapped pointy boots were no match for the acoustics.
November 22, 2025 at 3:05 PM
bvbodegom.bsky.social
#WIPSnips from MARK OF THE JESTER.

CW: Implied sexual abuse.

The King is a horrible man. (His murder is the inciting incident, so... Yay?)

#writingcommunity #amwriting #darkfantasy #horror #fantasy
Potley had no intention of touching food meant for a king. Especially not a king like Rondolar. There were more stories about poisoned monarchs than bedtime stories. Besides, in another fit of questionable genius, King Rondolar had executed his poison tasters after he caught a stomach bug and needed to put the blame somewhere. Never mind the newly wed woman he'd forced into his bed a few nights before had been as ill as a wet dog in winter.
November 20, 2025 at 9:22 AM
bvbodegom.bsky.social
#WIPSnips from MARK OF THE JESTER.

Grimdark adjacent, there are some heavy, emotional scenes.

(Used 'second')

#writingcommunity #amwriting #fantasy #horror
Potley wanted to speak, to tell her all the things she meant to him, but his throat had clamped shut. No words came. For only the second time in his life he was at a total and complete loss for words.
November 19, 2025 at 11:14 AM
bvbodegom.bsky.social
Here's the full #pitch for my WIP:

THE LIES OF LOCKE LAMORA × BEST SERVED COLD × THE BUTCHER BOY

When a Court Jester snaps and kills the tyrant king, he must joke and kill his way out of a kingdom in chaos while his sanity frays, hunted by loyalists, hailed by rebels.

#writingcommunity #fantasy
Mock cover for MARK OF THE JESTER by the author of DAD BODIES: B. van Bodegom
November 17, 2025 at 10:32 AM
bvbodegom.bsky.social
#WIPSnips from MARK OF THE JESTER.

Magic has real limitations.

#writingcommunity #amwriting #adult #darkfantasy #fantasy #horror
Sweat had completely ruined his mask, the paint and powder now smeared across his sleeves after wiping his face multiple times. He wasn't sure if he could muster many more Hidden Moon incantations—if any at all. Aside from needing to hold his breath, he needed to find calm in his mind and heart for it to work. And he was running in short supply of that.
November 16, 2025 at 9:04 AM
bvbodegom.bsky.social
Wrote an entire chapter of MARK OF THE JESTER today while taking the train to see my mother and grandmother. Aside from a happy reunion, I'm very excited about this project. Breached 12.5k words and even made a new graphic!

#writingcommunity #amwriting #fantasy #darkfantasy #horror
Black and white graphic of the novel MARK of the JESTER
November 15, 2025 at 6:10 PM
bvbodegom.bsky.social
#WIPSnips from MARK OF THE JESTER. This became my active wip. It's calling to me!

#writingcommunity #amwriting #fantasy #darkfantasy #horror
The glazed red and blue tiles of steep, gabled roofs gleamed in the autumn sun. Pointy towers and multistory buildings belonging to guilds from all over the kingdom alternated with regular residences, squeezed wherever there had been space not taken up by roads or other haphazardly built structures.
November 13, 2025 at 1:51 PM
bvbodegom.bsky.social
DAD BODIES is in the hands of two editors from different publishers at the moment. Exciting times!

That said, I'm considering a #kickstarter campaign. Surely there are readers interested in a tale about middle-aged #ttrpg dads caught in a deadly supernatural campaign? 😏

🩸📚
a mock up cover of a horror comedy novel about ttrpg dads in a manor called DAD BODIES. By B. van Bodegom. Made with non-AI free stock images.
November 9, 2025 at 10:05 AM
bvbodegom.bsky.social
An #Agentsguide to DAD BODIES! For the #litagents and #editors during #Questpit.

Big 5 interest! Two editors at publishing houses requested and have received the full manuscript. Complete at 74,000 words.

#A #H #M
Agent's Guide for literary agents and editors for the book DAD BODIES.
November 5, 2025 at 6:47 PM
bvbodegom.bsky.social
CABIN IN THE WOODS × JOHN DIES AT THE END

When their detective friend is murdered during their annual gaming retreat, 5 dads must rely on years of #TTRPG experience—and puns—to solve the crime before they're all killed off like NPCs in a badly written supernatural campaign.

#QuestPit #A #H #M
The image, made with free non-AI stock pictures, shows a horror-comedy novel cover titled "DAD BODIES." The top of the cover reads "THE GAME JUST TOOK A DAD TURN" with "DAD" in a different color. The background features a haunted house with multiple towers and illuminated windows against a dark backdrop. At the center is a 20-sided die (D20) used in tabletop role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons, with visible numbers including 1, 7, 13, and 19. The die is surrounded by red blood splatter effects. At the bottom of the cover are six men with expressions of terror and shock. One man is wearing a white shirt over his head. These men are the dads referenced in the title.
November 5, 2025 at 6:47 PM
bvbodegom.bsky.social
BLACK MIRROR × SEVERANCE × THE GOOD PLACE

Having a happy death is a luxury service for the rich and Wren is the rising top salesman—until a cynical coworker and a depressed billionaire force him to rethink it all in a world where even your last smile has a price tag.

#QuestPit #A #S #SF #W
Made from non-AI free stock images. This image is a book cover design for a novel titled "Happy Death Inc." by B. Van Bodegom. The cover is divided into three distinct horizontal sections: 1. Top Section: Features a cartoonish blue sky with white clouds and a bright sun. At the top, a tagline reads: "How much would you pay to die with a smile?" The word "HAPPY" appears in large, playful, hand-drawn-style font, partially overlapping the sky background. 2. Middle Section: A photograph of a deceased man in a suit, lying in a casket. He has an exaggerated smile on his face, almost unnaturally wide and clean, suggesting artificial enhancement or post-mortem alteration. Overlaid on this image is the word "DEATH" in the same large font as the previous word. 3. Bottom Section: A cartoon city skyline in pastel tones, similar in style to the top sky background. The word "INC." is overlaid prominently in the same large font. At the very bottom: A novel by B. van Bodegom
November 5, 2025 at 5:10 AM
bvbodegom.bsky.social
#WIPSnips from MARK OF THE JESTER!

Not my current wip, but I'm excited to write this dark fantasy about a regicide jester in 2026. Very excited. Spider's thread.

#writingcommunity #amwriting #darkfantasy #fantasy #thriller #horror
He spluttered as he rounded the corner, carefully wiping spider's thread from his face. This was getting ridiculous. Maybe Mistress Carnigann could be convinced to send one of the cleaners this way soon. Ignoring the rumble in this stomach, Potley put on his widest smile on his approach to the King's Inner Chamber. The two posted guards narrowed their eyes, disdain emphasized by down-curling lips barely visible through the slits of their barbute helmets.
November 2, 2025 at 10:22 AM
bvbodegom.bsky.social
#WIPSnips from HAPPY DEATH INC.!

I was surprised I had it, actually. Luciano is an American-born descendant of Mediterranean folk. His accent is as fake as the apple pie is old. That is to say, very.

#writingcommunity #amwriting #corporate #satire #scifi #specfic
Luciano's dreamy gaze gave way to a horrified one. "Curse my ancestors! I'm sorry, Wren. What can I get you? Same as always? Some fresh apple pie, perhaps?" He nodded toward the one next to him. If he kept it there any longer, it might try to break out by itself, Wren thought. The day he'd touch that apple pie is the day he wouldn't care about being sent to Happy Death Inc.'s health retreat.
November 1, 2025 at 11:01 AM
bvbodegom.bsky.social
Happy #Halloween ! #WIPSnips from DAD BODIES!

#D&D #TTRPG people know.

Vincent is spiraling. The amount of swearing, internal and external, depends on his stress levels.

#writingcommunity #amquerying #horror #comedy
Vincent slowly shook his head. A fucking mimic? The notion was insane. Words from a crazy man. Crazy, if he didn’t see it with his own eyes. What the flying fuck was a mimic doing in a secret room in their gaming retreat? It must’ve been an elaborate animatronic or some shit. A fucking dangerous one, but not a real-life monster disguising as a goddamn chest.
October 31, 2025 at 2:17 PM
bvbodegom.bsky.social
#WIPSnips from HAPPY DEATH INC.

Wren has a fear of flying.

#writingcommunity #ghostpit #amwriting #adult #corporate #satire #SF #DS
Wren met Courtière inside the man's hangar, where a slick, jet-black private solar jet stood prepared. Bold and italicized letters spelled the name Icarus in gold on its polished hull. A curious choice, Wren thought, but then, the thing belonged to a curious man, and so he ignored the unnerving bite in the back of his skull.
October 30, 2025 at 9:06 PM
bvbodegom.bsky.social
BLACK MIRROR × SEVERANCE × THE GOOD PLACE

Having a happy death is a luxury service for the rich and Wren is the rising top salesman—until a cynical coworker and a depressed billionaire force him to rethink it all in a world where even your last smile has a price tag.

#GhostPit #A #DS #SF #W
Made from non-AI free stock images. This image is a book cover design for a novel titled "Happy Death Inc." by B. Van Bodegom. The cover is divided into three distinct horizontal sections: 1. Top Section: Features a cartoonish blue sky with white clouds and a bright sun. At the top, a tagline reads: "How much would you pay to die with a smile?" The word "HAPPY" appears in large, playful, hand-drawn-style font, partially overlapping the sky background. 2. Middle Section: A photograph of a deceased man in a suit, lying in a casket. He has an exaggerated smile on his face, almost unnaturally wide and clean, suggesting artificial enhancement or post-mortem alteration. Overlaid on this image is the word "DEATH" in the same large font as the previous word. 3. Bottom Section: A cartoon city skyline in pastel tones, similar in style to the top sky background. The word "INC." is overlaid prominently in the same large font. At the very bottom, in smaller capital letters, it says: "A Novel by B VAN BODEGOM"
October 30, 2025 at 6:56 AM
bvbodegom.bsky.social
BLACK MIRROR × SEVERANCE × THE GOOD PLACE

Having a happy death is a luxury service for the rich and Wren is the rising top salesman—until a cynical coworker and a depressed billionaire force him to rethink it all in a world where even your last smile has a price tag.

#SFPit #A #Dys #WIP
Made from non-AI free stock images. This image is a book cover design for a novel titled "Happy Death Inc." by B. Van Bodegom. The cover is divided into three distinct horizontal sections: 1. Top Section: Features a cartoonish blue sky with white clouds and a bright sun. At the top, a tagline reads: "How much would you pay to die with a smile?" The word "HAPPY" appears in large, playful, hand-drawn-style font, partially overlapping the sky background. 2. Middle Section: A photograph of a deceased man in a suit, lying in a casket. He has an exaggerated smile on his face, almost unnaturally wide and clean, suggesting artificial enhancement or post-mortem alteration. Overlaid on this image is the word "DEATH" in the same large font as the previous word. 3. Bottom Section: A cartoon city skyline in pastel tones, similar in style to the top sky background. The word "INC." is overlaid prominently in the same large font. At the very bottom, in smaller capital letters, it says: "A Novel by B VAN BODEGOM"
October 21, 2025 at 4:59 AM
bvbodegom.bsky.social
Updated #AgentsGuide for DAD BODIES. This one's for #litagents and #editors!

#WritingCommunity #HorrorSky #TTRPG #AmQuerying
Agent's Guide for literary agents and editors for the book DAD BODIES.
October 18, 2025 at 8:27 PM
bvbodegom.bsky.social
#WIPSnips from HAPPY DEATH INC.

No loaf, but oaf? Wren's 'mentor' is one.

#writingcommunity #amwriting #corporate #satire #specfic #scifi
Wren ignored the assistant's voice. Instead he opened a file through the desk's floating controls and uploaded it to the company's servers, formalizing his latest sale. His gaze flickered to his coworkers, now back to their respective stations, looking busy. If he had been Solomon finalizing that sale, they'd be groveling at his feet. Kissing the tips of his synthleather boots, hoping the big man would grace them with a quick pat on the head or an utterance of acknowledgement. As if thinking about the oaf summoned him, a wave of cloying cologne forcefully burned its way through his nostrils. So much for getting his admin done in time.
October 17, 2025 at 8:53 AM
bvbodegom.bsky.social
Ordered a custom phone case with this image I made, representing DAD BODIES! Also using it as my locked screen background.

Sharing it here in case anyone else wants to walk around showing some support! (Or because you like the design)

#TTRPG #Horror #WritingCommunity #artdesign #OC #art
A d20 showing a one (critical fail) with blood spatter decal underneath, on a black background. Can be used as a phone background.
October 12, 2025 at 7:03 AM
bvbodegom.bsky.social
CABIN IN THE WOODS × JOHN DIES AT THE END

When their detective friend is murdered during their annual gaming retreat, 5 dads must rely on years of #TTRPG experience—and puns—to solve the crime before they're all killed off like NPCs in a badly written supernatural campaign.
#DVpit #A #H #M
The image, made with free non-AI stock pictures, shows a horror-comedy novel cover titled "DAD BODIES." The top of the cover reads "THE GAME JUST TOOK A DAD TURN" with "DAD" in a different color. The background features a haunted house with multiple towers and illuminated windows against a dark backdrop. At the center is a 20-sided die (D20) used in tabletop role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons, with visible numbers including 1, 7, 13, and 19. The die is surrounded by red blood splatter effects. At the bottom of the cover are six men with expressions of terror and shock. One man is wearing a white shirt over his head. These men are the dads referenced in the title.
October 8, 2025 at 11:30 PM
bvbodegom.bsky.social
CABIN IN THE WOODS × JOHN DIES AT THE END

When their detective friend is murdered during their annual gaming retreat, 5 dads must rely on years of #TTRPG experience—and puns—to solve the crime before they're all killed off like NPCs in a badly written supernatural campaign.
#DVpit #A #H #M
The image, made with free non-AI stock pictures, shows a horror-comedy novel cover titled "DAD BODIES." The top of the cover reads "THE GAME JUST TOOK A DAD TURN" with "DAD" in a different color. The background features a haunted house with multiple towers and illuminated windows against a dark backdrop. At the center is a 20-sided die (D20) used in tabletop role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons, with visible numbers including 1, 7, 13, and 19. The die is surrounded by red blood splatter effects. At the bottom of the cover are six men with expressions of terror and shock. One man is wearing a white shirt over his head. These men are the dads referenced in the title.
October 8, 2025 at 8:02 PM
bvbodegom.bsky.social
CABIN IN THE WOODS × JOHN DIES AT THE END × JUMANJI

🧔 Middle-aged Dad Ensemble
🎲 TTRPG Nerds
😱 Co(s)mic Horror
🤔 But also Mystery
👻 Supernatural Folklore
🏰 Victorian Manor
🌙 Dark & Stormy Night

#DVpit #A #H #M #Dis
The image, made with free non-AI stock pictures, shows a horror-comedy novel cover titled "DAD BODIES." The top of the cover reads "THE GAME JUST TOOK A DAD TURN" with "DAD" in a different color. The background features a haunted house with multiple towers and illuminated windows against a dark backdrop. At the center is a 20-sided die (D20) used in tabletop role-playing games like Dungeons & Dragons, with visible numbers including 1, 7, 13, and 19. The die is surrounded by red blood splatter effects. At the bottom of the cover are six men with expressions of terror and shock. One man is wearing a white shirt over his head. These men are the dads referenced in the title.
October 8, 2025 at 7:13 PM