The Catholic Publisher Offering What Mainstream Media Won't: Books with Moral Gravity
What happens when a young Catholic marketer decides to become a "fisher of men" through books that actually reinforce Catholic beliefs?
Meet Tumblar House—the Catholic publishing company and bookstore that has been quietly building a counter-cultural literary empire since 2001. Founded by Vincent Frankini, Tumblar House publishes fiction and nonfiction that mainstream publishers wouldn't touch—books with "moral gravity" that leave an "indelible mark on the reader."
In an age when Catholic fiction is either sanitized into blandness or abandoned altogether, Tumblar House proves there's still a hunger for stories that grapple with good and evil, faith and doubt, sin and redemption—all within the embrace of the True Faith.
A Fisher of Men Through the Written Word
Vincent Frankini had a degree in Business Marketing and a career ahead of him. But in his mid-20s, he felt called to something different. He decided to become a "fisher of men"—not through preaching, but through publishing.
In 2001, Frankini founded Tumblar House as a small Catholic publisher. The mission was clear from the start: every book must be "in harmony with Catholic dogma, social teaching, and the consensus of the Church Fathers."
No compromises. No ambiguity. No watered-down Catholicism.
Today, Tumblar House operates as both a publisher of original Catholic titles and an online bookstore carrying works from other faithful Catholic publishers—creating a one-stop shop for Catholics who want to nourish their minds without worrying whether the content will undermine their faith.
"Off the Menu" — The Podcast You Won't Find in Mainstream Media
One of Tumblar House's most successful ventures is the "Off the Menu" podcast, co-hosted by Frankini and Catholic author-historian Charles A. Coulombe.
The show's name says it all: these are conversations you won't find in mainstream media.
Every week, Frankini and Coulombe tackle questions from listeners on:
- History: From medieval Christendom to the American founding
- Philosophy: The perennial wisdom the modern world has forgotten
- Culture: Why beauty matters and where to find it
- Politics: A Catholic perspective on current events
- The Faith: Apologetics, devotions, and living Catholicism in a hostile world
Coulombe—a specialist in Church history, monarchism, and Catholic culture—brings decades of scholarship and a rapier wit. Frankini brings the business acumen and asks the questions listeners want answered.
The result is a podcast that's become essential listening for Catholics tired of the same bland takes.
Catholic Fiction That Doesn't Apologize
Perhaps Tumblar House's most distinctive contribution is its commitment to Catholic fiction—novels across every genre that take the Faith seriously.
Featured Authors Include:
Susan Peek — A wife, mother of eleven, and Third Order Franciscan whose passion is writing novels about little-known saints and heroes. Her Saint Magnus, The Last Viking won the Catholic Writers' Guild Seal of Approval in 2015.
Charles A. Coulombe — The historian brings his encyclopedic knowledge to fiction, including Desire & Deception and contributions to various anthologies.
William L. Biersach — Creator of the Father Baptist mystery series, now five books strong, following a priest-detective navigating crime and faith.
Philip Lawler — One of America's most respected Catholic journalists debuts in fiction with a novel exploring the hidden spiritual battles within the Church in the 1980s.
Genres Include:
- Historical fiction set in Catholic Christendom
- Mystery and detective stories with priest protagonists
- Young adult novels featuring saints and heroes
- Sci-fi and fantasy with Catholic themes
- Children's books that form young imaginations
The Charles Coulombe Connection
Charles A. Coulombe deserves special mention. The Los Angeles-born author and historian has become one of the most distinctive voices in Catholic intellectual life.
His books published by Tumblar House include:
- Puritan's Empire — A Catholic reading of American history
- Star-Spangled Crown — Exploring monarchy in the American context
- Blessed Charles of Austria — Biography of the last Habsburg emperor
- The Compleat Monarchist — His political philosophy
Coulombe's work represents what Tumblar House does best: publishing Catholic perspectives that challenge the assumptions of both secular liberalism and mainstream conservatism.
Why This Matters
In an age when most publishers view Catholicism as either irrelevant or offensive, Tumblar House offers something rare: books that assume the Catholic faith is true—and explore what that means.
The company provides:
- Fiction with moral gravity: Stories where good and evil matter
- History from a Catholic lens: Understanding the past through the eyes of faith
- Philosophy and theology: The perennial wisdom for modern readers
- Counter-cultural perspectives: Ideas you won't find in mainstream media
When you support Tumblar House, you're supporting:
- An independent Catholic voice uncompromised by secular publishing demands
- Authors who write explicitly Catholic content
- A vision of Catholic culture that includes art, literature, and imagination
- A small business keeping Catholic intellectual life vibrant
How You Can Support
- Browse the bookstore: Visit TumblarHouse.com and find your next great Catholic read
- Listen to the podcast: Subscribe to Off the Menu wherever you get podcasts
- Support on Patreon: Join the Tumblar House Patreon for exclusive content
- Gift Catholic books: Know someone who needs good reading? Tumblar House ships nationwide
- Follow along: Connect on social media for new releases and podcast episodes
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What's the best Catholic novel you've ever read? Have you discovered Tumblar House's offerings? Drop a comment below—we'd love to hear your recommendations!
Find Tumblar House:
- Website: tumblarhouse.com
- Podcast: Off the Menu
- Patreon: patreon.com/tumblarhouse
- Linktree: linktr.ee/tumblarhouse
- DCB Listing: Find Tumblar House on Discover Catholic Business
Sources: Tumblar House, Catholic 365, Apple Podcasts - Off the Menu, Wikipedia - Charles A. Coulombe