September 20, 2026
Google AI describes The Arcane Arcade, a sci-fi/paranormal story collection co-written by Hammonton, NJ authors Leonard Streitfeld and Jay Dubya.
The Arcane Arcade is a paranormal fiction short story collection co-authored by Jay Dubya (the pen name of John Wiessner, J.W.) and Dr. Leonard Streitfeld. Originally published on February 11, 2020, by Bookstand Publishing, the book contains 16 unique tales of supernatural and otherworldly experiences presented across short stories, novellas, and novelettes. [1, 2]
Book Overview
The 350 page book focuses entirely on pure fantasy and paranormal narratives born from the authors' imaginations. Some of the standout stories in the collection include: [1, 2]
“The Chess Set”: Follows Harry Wilson, a multimillionaire and master chess collector, who purchases a magnificent, highly suspicious chess set that leads to an eerie sequence of events.
“A Christmas Doll”: Explores the strange, unexplainable encounters of Edward Thomas Brown as he tries to secure a dream holiday gift for his daughter.
“The Cups”: Details the unsettling experiences impacting the lives of characters Albert and Marian Martin.
About the Authors
Jay Dubya (John Wiessner): A retired New Jersey public school English teacher who taught for 34 years. After his teaching career, he became a prolific writer, authoring over 70 books spanning adult humor, sci-fi, action, and fantasy. He has also historically co-owned several amusement arcades along the Maryland and New Jersey boardwalks. [1, 2] Google: Jay Dubya books.
Dr. Leonard Streitfeld: A frequent creative partner of Jay Dubya who helped conceptualize, write, and refine these complex supernatural stories. [1, 2]
Availability & Formats
If you are looking to read the collection, it is available across multiple formats:
Digital: You can purchase the e-book version for $4.95 USD on the Amazon Kindle Store.
Physical: Hardcover and paperback editions can be found through major retailers like Books-A-Million and Walmart Business Supplies. [1, 2, 3]
Google; The Arcane Arcade, Leonard Streitfeld, Jay Dubya
The Black Magic Pen, The Arcane Arcade
"The Black Magic Pen" is one of the 16 featured paranormal short stories within The Arcane Arcade collection. The novellete, written and heavily polished by co-authors Jay Dubya and Dr. Leonard Streitfeld, the story tackles the dark consequences of seeking shortcuts to creative genius. [1, 2]
Story Premise & Plot Details
The Premise: The narrative centers on an ambitious writer who deeply craves literary perfection and international fame. [1]
The Conflict: Driven by this intense desire, he relies on a literal "black magic pen". It turns the physical tools of his writing trade into a supernatural phenomenon necessary to achieve his goals. [1]
The Theme: Like many other stories in the collection—such as "The Chess Set" and "The Tattoo"—the plot serves as a paranormal cautionary tale about the cost of obsessed ambition and otherworldly bargains. [1]
Background of the Authors
The co-authors behind The Arcane Arcade both hailed from Hammonton, New Jersey, blending a unique mix of professional backgrounds—public education and healthcare—into a shared passion for creative writing and the paranormal. [1, 2]
Jay Dubya (John Wiessner)
The Pen Name: "Jay Dubya" is a phonetic play on his real initials, J.W. (John Wiessner). [1]
Teaching Career: He spent 34 years as a public school English teacher in New Jersey, a background that heavily shaped his editing, grammatical focus, and dedication to storytelling. [1]
Prolific Writing: After retiring, Wiessner became incredibly prolific, publishing over 70 books across several distinct genres. His catalog features science fiction, paranormal short stories, children's literature, high-action novels, and extensive adult-age satires. He is well known for his multi-part series like Pieces of Eight and Nine New Novellas. [1, 2]
Amusement History: Adding a personal connection to the title of The Arcane Arcade, Wiessner historically co-owned and operated several amusement arcades along the beachfront boardwalks of Ocean City, Maryland, and New Jersey.
Dr. Leonard Streitfeld (1922–2019)
Medical Career: Dr. Streitfeld was a long-time, respected optometrist who maintained a successful practice in Hammonton, New Jersey, for over six decades from 1950 to 2012.
The Collaboration: In his retirement, he channeled his creative energy into building supernatural and speculative worlds. He spent years conceptualizing and drafting intricate, bizarre storylines alongside Wiessner.
Posthumous Publication: Dr. Streitfeld passed away in 2019 at the age of 97. The Arcane Arcade was officially completed and published in early 2020 through cooperation with his son and his estate, serving as a final tribute to his imaginative ideas. [1, 2, 3]
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Google; Jay Dubya books
Google: The Arcane Arcade, Jay Dubya, Leonard Streitfeld
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