BRINGING
BABYLON 5
ONLINE
One fan’s journey from the Midwest to Hollywood
Before social media, a show called Babylon 5 brought fans together through modems, message boards, early fan sites, and late-night online chats. A science-fiction-loving kid from Ames, Iowa, Troy could never have imagined his enthusiasm for the show would eventually carry him to the offices of Warner Bros. and to work on not one, but two of his favorite shows.
Bringing Babylon 5 Online is a firsthand memoir of the opportunities, mistakes, and unexpected turns that grew from one extraordinary fan community. It is a story about fandom before algorithms, and what can happen when you take a chance.
Pre-Order starts mid-October, 2026
Release Date: February 22, 2027
(34th anniversary of The Gathering)
6 × 9 paperback • Kindle • Audiobook • Approximately 350 pages
ADVANCE PRAISE
“Troy was part of the early wave of folks passionate about building the early internet into an avenue of communication and community. He had an important role building Babylon 5’s online fan communities and connecting those of us involved in the production of the landmark television series. It placed Warner Brothers and Babylon 5 at the forefront of what has become the social media revolution that has become so much a part of our cultural fabric. Part memoir and part history of the early online world, Bringing Babylon 5 Online preserves an important chapter in the show’s legacy from someone who experienced it from both sides; as a fan and as a member of the team.”
JOHN COPELAND
Producer and Director, Babylon 5
“Babylon 5 was a unique show in a unique moment in time. Many many changes were fostered by this show in production, post production, and most importantly fan engagement. The old rules proved useless, and the new rules were being established in real time. Troy Rutter was a major part of how Babylon 5 grew beyond the stage and the screen into a vibrant community, sometimes combative, often thoughtful, and most times passionately supportive. Of all the shows I have worked on before or since, this was the most connected I have ever felt to the fans. JMS gave us a universe. The fans gave us a community. We would not have succeeded without the unwavering effort and passion of people like Troy.”
GEORGE JOHNSEN
Co-Producer, Babylon 5
“Troy’s contributions helped make The Lurker’s Guide a go-to resource for fans. Combined with his insider’s view of the show, he’s uniquely qualified to tell the story of how B5 and the internet grew up together.”
STEVE GRIMM
The Lurker’s Guide to Babylon 5
SELECT CHAPTERS AT A GLANCE
Learning Curve
Growing up in Iowa with computers, science fiction, and dreams of Hollywood.
Walkabout
Discovering online communities with a Commodore computer, and a new science fiction series called That Which Cannot Be Named.
Points of Departure
College, the early internet, the first mailing list, the first newsgroups, and a small website called The Lurker’s Guide.
By Any Means Necessary
A first, unforgettable visit to the Babylon 5 set.
Interlude: All Alone in the Night
One of the first big Babylon 5 conventions almost turns out to be a disaster.
Chrysalis
An email from Warner Bros. arrives, and with it a once in a lifetime opportunity to cross over from fan to working on the show.
Lines of Communication
Warner Bros. launches the official Babylon 5 area on America Online.
Divided Loyalties
Celebrity chats, online fandom, and life behind the official Babylon 5 website.
MORE ADVANCE PRAISE
“Troy led our outreach for Babylon 5, working on postings, message boards, fan pages, and custom events on the Internet and on AOL when it was in its golden period. When Babylon 5 was on the cusp of almost being cancelled, he helped us to enlist our Internet fans in contacting TV broadcasters to renew the show … successfully. He is a true leader, a person who understands digital media and the unique association that a major media entity can form with consumers, and a pioneer in the force of communities and social media.”
JIM MOLOSHOK
President, Warner Bros. Online; Vice President, Yahoo Entertainment
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“This book is essential reading for those interested in the history of television and science fiction fandom.”
MICHAEL A. BURSTEIN
Ten-time Hugo finalist
THE BOOK