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You should show the material to someone established in the field. I'm not talking about someone with 6 one trick DVDs, I'm talking about someone who knows the history of the art. They should confirm that the material you are offering is indeed original and advances the printed record, rather...

This was in my high school physics book. Every magician with an inkling of science background will know what this is (and has already considered it, and abandoned it). A better method was published in the later 1800's. Of course, that one was not so good for one's health. Nevertheless, the...

It is so easy to ask permission, that it baffles me that more people don't - unless secretly they know what they are offering to be less of an improvement and more of a copy. Regardless, INEVITABLY, someone says - do you have to credit the pass, or the double lift? They smugly think this...

Really joshua? And your expertise stems from where exactly? The ellusionist forum? The magic cafe? How does your position reconcile the published statements of the IBM or SAM? How does it reflect the general concensus of magic magazine reviewers or the advertising policies of major magic...

There IS a general concensus. If you plan on publishing or releasing the trick commercially, you must give credit. If the item is recent and a commercial offering (being sold via book, dvd, or trick) then you should also get permission. But this begs the question, if you honestly don't...

They both have unhealthy mother fixations. Houdini's led to a life long attempt to contact her via spiritualism and his campaign to expose fraudulent mediums. Blaine has defined his stunts as some desperate attempt to get his mother's post mortem approval.

Doing a custom seance for a client. Been working on it for two months. Have been doing load in at their house all week. Full dark seance complete with manifestations. Should be fun. Brad Henderson

Many of these lists have books authored long before the 15 year time limit. If one keeps to that limit (and limits oneself to books on "tricks" as opposed to history) I would offer Benson by Starlight, Professional Secrets, Book of Secrets, Books of Wonder, and I will reserve the last one on...

There will be an interesting column in the December issue of Magic Magazine that some of you will want to check out. Brad Henderson

The names of the tricks will do you no good. It is a collection of real world working material from Eric's repertoire. There is material with cards, coins, even neckties. Brad Henderson

How can you review that effect? You know what the effect is? It will do what it says it does. It's a very clever, novel revelation. Like all of Eric's stuff, it is very well thought out. Discussing methods would not be appropriate. Brad Henderson

Jerry Andrus? Anyone??? Jerry was a genius. He also refused to lie to his audiences. So, it can be done. But, the very fact that we are magicians, and magicians are known to use deception essentially makes us - to quote Swiss - honest liars. More interestingly, a smart magician avoids...

The Secret Life of Houdini is a fun read, but controversial. It is hardly authoritative. Probably the most authoritative Houdini bibliography is by Silverman. The most interesting - to me - is Culliton's Tao of Houdini. What he did was collect all of the statements Houdini made about...

Is it that rare? Let's think about it: Chances are that if you are performing somewhere, it is the kind of place that would have a magician. And, chances are, the people who show up are the kind of people who frequent those kinds of places. So, since these are people who are in the kind of...

I see a lot of "Secrets" talked about online. Some people don't want their work given away. Some people don't mind. Sometimes people say things and don't realize they crossed a line. When someone suggests "discussing moves and routines" that could mean talking about what you like (which is...

I haven't asked Derek about this, but he may not be thrilled at the idea of having the ideas he sells in a book discussed on an open forum. Of course, he might not mind at all. But, may I suggest, that you ask? Of course you do not have to, but if he would rather people not share his ideas...

Unless you want to work. Get an agent to talk about the generic magician. If your act has the same tricks as everyone else, they have no interest in booking you. Besides, if everything you do is someone else's, where is the "you" in your act? Brad Henderson

I have Swami Mantra. In fact, I gave a copy to a friend who has used several of the ideas in it to become one of the top college performers in the world. We tried several of the items together. They are dangerous and you could get hurt. So, knowing that you like this stuff, be careful. The...

How is this different from what Danny Korem was selling years ago?

Well, blahblah, what specifically are you interested in? Thanks to everyone else for the kind words. Glad I could help. B (Just put together four new bookshelves for my library. Have to run to IKEA to get two missing pieces! Then it's time to fill them up.)