A Body of Work
from the soi-disant Doctor of Demonology
This website (jamesippoliti.substack.com) is becoming the central hub for Dr. Jay and The Office of Demonology. Substack allows for newsletters, podcasts, videos, and Twitter-like threads, and it doesn’t charge me to use it. Let me address the spelling of Dr. Jay. I decided to change it because who knows if the former Philadelphia 76’er Julius Irving, aka Dr. J, has some legal ownership of the title? I don’t want to have to get sued by a local legend. That would be embarrassing.
I am also in love with the word soi-disant (pronounced swa-dee-zahn). It means so-called. You can try using it in your everyday life.
Speaking of podcasts, Regina and I just posted our discussion on Scary Clowns on the Writing Fiction podcast (formally the Book Worms Horror Podcast). It is available on all podcast platforms.
This past week, I built the body for the puppets. I must strengthen the bottom with Dritz 1/4" Boning with 5/8" Polyester Cover, purchased at Joann Fabrics. I used the same material for the neck area of the body. It involves sewing the boning in a circle and gluing it into the body.
I am reading a book called Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport. I highly recommend reading it yourself. Because of this, I will not be seen much on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, or any other Social Media app. This website will be the best way to keep up with the Office of Demonology. So make sure to subscribe if you haven’t already.
Thanksgiving was very nice this year. It was low-key, the way I like it. My sister brought over a photo of my Great Uncle, John Deery, who was killed in the First World War during the Battle of Aubers Ridge on 9 May 1915. According to Wikipedia, the attack was an unmitigated disaster on the part of the British. No ground or tactical advantage was gained, and they suffered more than ten times as many casualties as the Germans. I believe John was part of the Royal Irish Rifles. See the photo below. Please feel free to leave a comment letting me know how your holiday was and what you did.
Expect a book review of Peter Straub’s Ghost Story soon. It will be a video that I will post here and on YouTube.
That’s all I got.
Be well and Stay Gold,
James Ippoliti, aka Dr. Jay
The Office of Demonology