iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Jay @drjaysullivan.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

My first talk for Pints of Knowledge last night was fun, albeit a bit nerve wracking.

An audience seated in a dimly lit event space or bar with blue ambient lighting, looking toward a woman standing in front of a large projector screen giving a lecture. The slide displayed on the screen features a blue background with a historical black-and-white illustration of Victorian men unwrapping a mummy on a table. White text on the slide reads: "WITH DR JAY SULLIVAN / Unwrapping the Past: Why were the Victorians Obsessed with Ancient Egypt?". A pink neon sign on the wall to the right reads "STUDIO 30...... SWAY".

Jay @drjaysullivan.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Want to see me speak for free tomorrow? I've got 1 guestlist spot for tomorrow's Pints of Knowledge talk at Effra Social in Brixton. Doors 7.00pm. Drop me a comment to claim, first come first served.

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Jay @drjaysullivan.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

My article for Murderess Magazine is out today! Murderess is a very cool gothic glamour magazine, and I am honoured to have contributed to the first issue. Digital copies only for now, print coming soon.

A magazine article. Text reads Egyptomania, Dr Jay Sullivan, Unwrapping the Victorians Darkest fantasy.

A flat lay of magazine pages with egyptian illustrations.

Another flat lay, this has an image of the Mummy movie poster.

Final flat lay, includes pictures of a mummy unwrapping and of mummia.

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Jay @drjaysullivan.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

My autumn talk schedule is ready to go! 3 online lectures, including one hosted at 7pm ET 🇺🇸 3 in-person events, including stunning Grade II Jacobean Guild Church of St Katharine Cree, Effra Social, and vampire diner Santa Carla in Margate. Swipe to see the schedule. Booking via my website.

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Jay @drjaysullivan.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

Egyptian Gothic is 1 today! 🎉🎂 Last year was a whirlwind of sold-out talks, podcasts, and interviews, so I'm excited for what's next. With perfect timing, it's also been reviewed by @theprofrog.bsky.social in @forteantimes.bsky.social. They gave 3 stars - not too shabby for academic lit crit.

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Jay @drjaysullivan.bsky.social · 12/06/2026

Absolutely buzzed that Egyptian Gothic was Highly Commended in the @vpfa.bsky.social Monograph Prize. Have a swipe to see what they had to say →

quote graphic with white text on a black background block overlaid onto a faded, blue-tinted historical illustration of two figures. The text reads: "There's a lot to admire in this study, not least the energy and writing style: the introduction and conclusion in particular are fun and engaging."

quote graphic overlaid onto a faded, blue-tinted historical illustration of people observing a mummy. The white text on a black background block reads: "It is really well-written, well-argued, and the research ranges widely. There is an impressive range of critical approaches, ranging from visual culture to sound studies."

quote graphic overlaid onto a faded, blue-tinted historical illustration of a mummy lying down with figures standing over it. The white text on a black background block reads: "The focus on different sensory experiences of the Egyptianised Gothic and the figure of the mummy in particular provides a logical but also fluid and quite imaginative structure, and the application of this 'sensory' reading is also novel in Victorian popular fiction studies."

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Jay @drjaysullivan.bsky.social · 31/05/2026

Couldn't make my talk on the Egyptianised Gothic last weekend? Well now you can catch it on YouTube 👇

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Jay @drjaysullivan.bsky.social · 23/05/2026

Thank you! Let me know any favourites. Honestly it's never too late to start speed writing 2 horror novels a year 📚

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Jay @drjaysullivan.bsky.social · 01/05/2026

Here's what I've got under wraps for the next few months! 🕸️✨ Want an in-person talk? It's coming, I'm just waiting to announce. Or you can always book me 😉

an image listing upcoming events. the events are:

🏺 The Women of the Egyptian Gothic
When: Saturday, May 23 (10am / 7pm)
A free online talk for the Romancing the Gothic series, focusing on the female authors who shaped the "Egyptianised" Gothic genre.

📜 Mummies, Magic, and the Macabre
When: Thursday, Sept 10 (8pm)
I’m headed back to The Last Tuesday Society for a Zoom lecture on the heights of Victorian Egyptomania.

🎨 The Illustrated Egyptianised Gothic
When: Tuesday, Oct 13 (7pm)
We’re unwrapping visual narratives through the lenses of gaze theory, gender, and sexuality in a highly illustrated session.

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Jay @drjaysullivan.bsky.social · 28/03/2026

I had so much fun at the Last Tuesday Society last year that I'm back again. Join me for a refreshed talk on Victorian Egyptomania. 📆: September 10 ⏰: 8.00pm BST 🖥️: Online via Zoom 🎟️: £6-10

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Jay @drjaysullivan.bsky.social · 17/03/2026

FREE ONLINE TALK: Women of the Egyptian Gothic! 🦇💅 We're looking way beyond the Victorians to talk hallucinogens, covetous desires, and 80s pulp horror penned by incredible women. 🕰️ 10am & 7pm BST 🔗 Ticket link in bio! #WomenInHorror #GothicLit #EgyptianGothic #BookSky

A promotional flyer on a dark blue background for a "FREE TALK" titled "WOMEN OF THE EGYPTIAN GOTHIC". The event is "Online via Zoom" with two sessions at "10.00am & 19.00 BST". The flyer features two inset photos: the top left shows author Anne Rice, labeled with her name, wearing dark clothing and sunglasses; the bottom right shows a blonde woman in a leopard-print dress and patterned tights standing at a wooden podium holding papers.

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Jay @drjaysullivan.bsky.social · 22/02/2026

Made my radio debut today on BBC Radio London! If you missed it/ don't live in London then you can catch up on BBC Sounds, it's about 90 minutes in 📻

Dr. Jay Sullivan and Robert Elms standing side-by-side and smiling in a studio. They are positioned in front of a purple and pink "BBC Radio London" sign on a light gray paneled wall. Dr. Sullivan, on the left, is wearing a green floral dress with bright yellow cuffs. Elms, on the right, is wearing dark-rimmed glasses, a light blue button-down shirt, and dark blue trousers.

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Jay @drjaysullivan.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

📻 I'm on the Robert Elms Breakfast Show this Sunday! Catch me on BBC Radio London at around 11.30am talking about my book. And if anyone wants a book recommendation that I didn't write, Robert's is excellent.

A hand holding a book titled "LIVE! Why We Go Out" by Robert Elms. The book's white cover is decorated with a collage of colorful, vintage-style concert ticket stubs, each featuring variations of the book's title, author, and fake event details like dates and venues. The person holding the book has a clear manicure with a dark blue flame design painted on the thumbnail. The background is slightly out of focus, showing dark wallpaper with a large leafy, botanical pattern.

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Jay @drjaysullivan.bsky.social · 05/02/2026

If you prefer to watch your podcasts, my episode of After Dark is now available on YouTube. As an extremely handsy talker, I could not successfully grab a screen cap when I was not gesticulating maniacally.

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Jay @drjaysullivan.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

Thank you so much for coming. The stars have aligned and now you have to dip a toe into The Beetle! 🪲

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Jay @drjaysullivan.bsky.social · 28/01/2026

Such a great night! Thanks for coming ❤️

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Jay @drjaysullivan.bsky.social · 20/01/2026

Catch me After Dark 💀 I'm the most recent guest on History Hit's excellent After Dark: Myths, Misdeeds and the Paranormal podcast. Join me as I delve into the Victorian's dark obsession with ancient Egypt. Available on Spotify, Apple podcasts and BBC Sounds. #podcast #spookystuff

Social media promo for the After Dark podcast episode "The Victorian's Dark Obsession with Ancient Egypt." The collage-style image includes the podcast's red cover art, a photo of the book "Egyptian Gothic" by Dr. Jay Sullivan, and mummy-themed illustrations on a wrinkled paper background.

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Jay @drjaysullivan.bsky.social · 19/12/2025

January doesn't have to be dry! Tickets for my Fortran Society talk on January 27 are now live. Join me as I delve into the weird world of Victorian Egyptomania... wegottickets.com/event/687014/

media.tenor.com

a cartoon drawing of a mummy dancing in front of a brick building

ALT: a cartoon drawing of a mummy dancing in front of a brick building

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Jay @drjaysullivan.bsky.social · 14/12/2025

First reviews are in! You can read the full review on my website: www.drjaysullivan.com/media

A graphic with the text "First review" at the top. The center features a pull quote from the review that reads: "a thoroughly enjoyable read, allowing Sullivan to showcase a vast knowledge acquired through years of research, alongside Sullivan's quick wit and engaging writing style."

A digital graphic of a magazine page layout titled "First review." The page features a book review of "Egyptian Gothic 1884-1920 by Dr. Jay Sullivan," written by Michelle Keeley-Adamson. A black-and-white image of the book cover is shown, depicting a mummy rising from a sarcophagus. The text of the review begins by discussing the sensory experience of reading, contrasting cozy feelings with the dread of "imagining we were an archaeologist placing a hand on an ancient Egyptian mummy." The footer marks this as "ISSE Magazine Issue 4, Autumn 2025, page 25."

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Jay @drjaysullivan.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

I'm this week's guest on the excellent Ressurectionists podcast! Is being squashed into jam the best 19th century death? Is looking at mummies dark tourism? Why aren't mummies more popular? Available everywhere you get your podcasts and in video form too. 🎧: youtu.be/OyKqzmdHOpw?...

youtu.be

The Dark Victorian Obsession with Ancient Egypt: Curses, Mummies & Madness

YouTube video by The Resurrectionists Podcast

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Jay @drjaysullivan.bsky.social · 27/10/2025

✨2025 EVENTS⭐ I'm at @lcflondon.bsky.social for @victorianhand.bsky.social's conference "The Hand: Emotions, Embodiment, Identity." I'm also The Fortean Society's January guest speaker. Tickets available soon! I've also been busy recording podcasts and YouTube content, so watch this space...

An events poster featuring a woman holding a book titled "Egyptian Gothic 1884-1920" by Jay S. Sullivan. The left side of the poster has a dark blue background with the white text "EVENTS" at the top. Below the title is a schedule of two events: "08.01 Paper @ London College of Fashion 'Severed Hands in the Egyptian Gothic'" and "27.01 Talk @ The Fortean Society 'Victorian Mummymania' The Bell Pub, E1 7EX." The woman has blonde hair, dramatic blue eyeshadow, and is wearing a blue and black patterned shirt. She is holding the book up near her face.

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Jay @drjaysullivan.bsky.social · 18/08/2025

Thanks to everyone who attended my sold out talk at The Last Tuesday Society. Your support means everything. The perfect venue to talk about the weird world of Egyptomania 💀 💜 The Museum's creatures walked away with some new reading material too... #newauthor

Jay Sullivan, a blonde person with tattoos sits at a dark wooden table in a dimly lit room. They are wearing a blue and black patterned dress. On the table is a book and a looped rope. In the background, there is a figure with ram horns and a taxidermy-like chandelier hanging above the table.

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Jay @drjaysullivan.bsky.social · 18/08/2025

Tonight's my SOLD OUT talk at The Last Tuesday Society. Doors 18.30 Let's get spooky this summer 💀 ⛱️

Jay Sullivan is a blonde person with tattoos on their arms. She holds up a book with a blue and white cover titled "Egyptian Gothic" by Jay Sullivan.

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Jay @drjaysullivan.bsky.social · 10/08/2025

Lovely afternoon presenting at the @issegyptomania.bsky.social conference!

A screenshot of a virtual presentation about a book titled "Egyptian Gothic: 1884-1920." The screen shows the book cover, two QR codes, and a discount code. To the right, there is a video feed of a person with blonde hair, identified as "Jay Sullivan," speaking.

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Jay @drjaysullivan.bsky.social · 14/07/2025

5) Get a review copy. Review it for your Substack, blog, journal, or whatever you fancy. Request a copy using my link in bio!(🧵 6/6)

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Jay @drjaysullivan.bsky.social · 14/07/2025

4) Wait for the paperback. It's out next August and will be at a much more affordable price point. (🧵 5/6)

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Jay @drjaysullivan.bsky.social · 14/07/2025

3) Book me, baby! I'm available for talks, conferences, historical consulting and more. Check out my website for more information. (🧵 4/6)

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Jay @drjaysullivan.bsky.social · 14/07/2025

2) Come see me speak! I'll be doing a number of talks and conferences to promote the book. The next one is at the Last Tuesday Society on launch day, 18th August. There's still a few tickets left - pick them up using my link in bio. (🧵 3/6)

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Jay @drjaysullivan.bsky.social · 14/07/2025

1) Use my discount code. You can save 20% when you order via Springer using code WZgUCX29Thbqpg (🧵 2/6)

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Jay @drjaysullivan.bsky.social · 14/07/2025

My book is out in the world! Like a Kendrick Lamar album, my publisher just quietly dropped it last Sunday without telling me. However, academic publishing is pricey! If you don't fancy spending £110 for a hardback or £87.50 for an e-book, here's how you can support me. (🧵 1/6)

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Jay @drjaysullivan.bsky.social · 10/07/2025

If this sounds like something you'd fancy then pick up a copy of Egyptian Gothic when it's out on August 18! You can save 20% when you order via @springernature.com using code WZgUCX29Thbqpg. Order via the link in my bio.

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Jay @drjaysullivan.bsky.social · 10/07/2025

Dread to think what your first guess was, but they're all in my book! With the release of Egyptian Gothic just a month away, here's a round up of some of the oddest entries in my index. (🧵)

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Jay @drjaysullivan.bsky.social · 10/07/2025

What do Art Deco, cannibalism, drug use, floriography and mass-consumerism all have in common? 🤔 (🧵)

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Jay @drjaysullivan.bsky.social · 03/07/2025

Getting real now! I'm just making the last tweaks to the proof of my book and seeing it in print is so exciting. Can't wait for you to unwrap Egyptian Gothic on the 16th August. #academia #history #victorian #firsttimeauthor

An uncorrected proof from a book. The two page spread shows both text and an illustration from Pharos the Egyptian.

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Jay @drjaysullivan.bsky.social · 21/05/2025

Talk alert! ⚠️ Unwrapping the Victorian’s Mummy Obsession 19 Aug 18.30-20.30 Come, sip absinthe, and listen to me talk about the weirder side of Egyptomania at The Last Tuesday Society. Early-bird tickets are nearly sold out. thelasttuesdaysociety.org/exhibition/u... #history #talk #london

thelasttuesdaysociety.org

Unwrapping the Victorian’s Mummy Obsession with Dr Jay Sullivan - LIVE - The Last Tuesday Society

Please note this is NOT a ZOOM Lecture but an in person lecture. Tickets include a complimentary glass of Devil’s Botany Chocolate Absinthe. Doors open at 6:30pm and talk starts […]

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Jay @drjaysullivan.bsky.social · 20/05/2025

My website is live! Learn more about my upcoming monograph, and get in touch to book me for podcasts, talks, and conferences 📚 #writingcommunity #history #authors

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Jay @drjaysullivan.bsky.social · 15/05/2025

The image is one of Martin Van Maële's illustrations for Arthur Conan Doyle's "Lot No. 249." Van Maële was mostly famous for his erotic illustrations, but here he lends his skills to rendering the sinewy horror of the reanimated mummy.

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Jay @drjaysullivan.bsky.social · 15/05/2025

📚 COVER REVEAL AND PUBLICATION DATE ⚱️ The temperature isn't the only thing that's rising this summer... Egyptian Gothic: 1884-1920 will be out on the 5th August. Here's a sneaky preview of the cover. Pre-orders coming soon... #booksky #firsttimeauthor #egypt #victorian

An advertisement for the book "Egyptian Gothic: 1884–1920" by Jay Sullivan, published by Palgrave Macmillan, available August 5th. The ad features the book's cover on the left and a quote praising the book on the right.

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Jay @drjaysullivan.bsky.social · 09/05/2025

Thank you for writing it! I work around Southwark too so was reading it on lunch like 👀 👀

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Jay @drjaysullivan.bsky.social · 09/05/2025

If anyone is after a good social history read, pick up No Ordinary Deaths by @mollyconisbee.bsky.social. Especially enjoyed reading about the insane textile production behind Victorian mourning culture. #booksky #currentlyreading

A dark-colored book titled "No Ordinary Deaths: A People's History of Mortality" by Molly Conisbee, featuring an illustration of an urn flanked by skeletons, stands on a bookshelf.

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Jay @drjaysullivan.bsky.social · 04/04/2025

It's outdoor reading season in London, so here's what I've been reading this week🌼 ☀️ The new @hallierubenhold.bsky.social is so good! I've been touched by how hard Belle's friends worked to find out what happened to her and to bring Crippen to justice.

A close-up, angled shot of a book lying on green grass with small white daisies scattered around it. The book is titled "The Story of a Murder" by Hallie Rubenhold, with the subtitle "The Wives, The Mistress and Doctor Crippen." The cover is primarily red and features a black and white photograph of a woman in a vintage dress.

A close-up, angled shot of a book and a bottle of beer on a wooden picnic table outdoors. The book, titled "Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism" by Amanda Montell, is open and lying flat on the table. It has a colorful cover with a retro design, featuring abstract shapes and a small illustration of a flying saucer. Next to the book is a clear glass bottle of Sol beer, partially filled, with a lime wedge inside.

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Jay @drjaysullivan.bsky.social · 27/03/2025

It's my viva-versary! 🥂 One year ago I successfully defended my PhD. I've been pretty quiet academically, but the manuscript for my book 'Egyptian Gothic 1880-1920' is now complete. Release info coming soon... 📚

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Jay @drjaysullivan.bsky.social · 24/03/2025

Considering I only picked up photography as a hobby last year, I think these are pretty good 📸 #cinematic #DSLR

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Jay @drjaysullivan.bsky.social · 14/02/2025

Neo-Victorian and Egyptianised Gothic? I am excited to start this one. Such a beautiful cover too. Anyone else picked it up yet? 📚 #booksky

Front cover of the book "Nephthys" by Rachel Louise Driscoll, held in a person's hand, with a decorative teal and orange design featuring a silhouette of a woman.

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Jay @drjaysullivan.bsky.social · 01/02/2025

BOOK MANUSCRIPT IS IN 🙌📚 Now to enjoy life before the Sword of Damacles that is publisher's amends drops.

Jay is a blonde, white woman. She wears a polka dot blouse and holds a cocktail. She is in a bar with dim-lighting and books on the wall.

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Jay @drjaysullivan.bsky.social · 01/02/2025

We definitely spent a good 5 mins tapping the gig tickets we've been to, cute diversion!

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Jay @drjaysullivan.bsky.social · 31/01/2025

Ok cool, I might pop down tomorrow before the show

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Jay @drjaysullivan.bsky.social · 31/01/2025

This looks so interesting!

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Jay @drjaysullivan.bsky.social · 31/01/2025

Let me know how it is! I want to go

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