''Genii, The Conjurors' Magazine'' is a magazine devoted to magic and magicians. It is a monthly magazine first published in September 1936, currently edited by Richard J. Kaufman and owned by
Randy Pitchford
Randy Pitchford is an American businessman. He co-founded the video game development studio Gearbox Software in 1999 and was president and CEO for the company until 2021, upon which he became CEO and president of Gearbox's parent company, The G ...
. The magazine is based in Washington, DC.
History
''Genii'' was founded by William Larsen, Sr. in 1936, and it was published as the official organ of the
Pacific Coast Association of Magicians
The Pacific Coast Association of Magicians is an association of magicians. It was founded in 1933; the first president was Lloyd E Jones. It has chapters in Japan, Hawaii, California, and western Canada, and holds an annual convention. The third o ...
, which had been founded in 1933. The original print run was 750 copies, which went down to 500 for the second and third issues. Upon Larsen's death in 1953 it was subsequently edited and published by his wife Gerrie Larsen, son William Larsen, Jr. and his wife
Irene Larsen
Irene Larsen, known affectionately as “Princess Irene” throughout the worldwide community of magicians and illusionists, was a co-founder of the Magic Castle and the Academy of Magical Arts.
She was born Irene Stolz in Germany in 1936. In 195 ...
, grandson
Dante Larsen
Dante Alighieri (; – 14 September 1321), probably baptized Durante di Alighiero degli Alighieri and often referred to as Dante (, ), was an Italian poet, writer and philosopher. His ''Divine Comedy'', originally called (modern Italian: '' ...
, and granddaughter Erika Larsen. In 1998, it was sold to The Genii Corporation headed by magic author Richard Kaufman.
''Genii'' appears as both a conventionally printed magazine and a digital edition, which includes audio and video supplements. Subscribers also receive free access to all 77 years of ''Geniis back issues.
From March 1942–June 1947, ''M-U-M'', the periodical of the
Society of American Magicians
The Society of American Magicians (S.A.M.) is the oldest fraternal magic organization in the world. Its purpose is "to advance, elevate, and preserve magic as a performing art, to promote harmonious fellowship throughout the world of magic, and ...
The Magic Castle
The Magic Castle is a clubhouse for magicians and magic enthusiasts, as well as the clubhouse for the Academy of Magical Arts. It is in the Hollywood district of Los Angeles, California and it bills itself as "the most unusual private club in t ...
in
Los Angeles
Los Angeles ( ; es, Los Ángeles, link=no , ), often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, largest city in the U.S. state, state of California and the List of United States cities by population, sec ...
, started providing paid subscriptions of ''Genii'' to all of its magician members.
''Genii'' is the only magazine in the field of magic which regularly includes free DVDs with its issues, and has done so for many years.
Contributors
''Genii's'' roster of columnists have included: David Britland,
Eugene Burger
Eugene Burger (June 1, 1939 – August 8, 2017) was an American magician. He was born in 1939 and was based in Chicago, Illinois. He was reputed for his close-up skills and his work in mentalism and bizarre magic.
Burger was also a philos ...
Dani DaOrtiz
Dani may refer to:
People
* Dani people, a people living in the central highlands of West Papua
* Dani (surname), a surname
* Danes (Germanic tribe), a tribe in southern Scandinavia
* Dani (footballer, born 1951) (Daniel Ruiz-Bazán Justa), Spa ...
Roberto Giobbi
Roberto Giobbi (born May 1, 1959 in Basel) is a professional magician from Switzerland, noted for his many contributions in teaching card magic, such as his five volume ''Card College'' series.
Life and work
After studying literature and lingu ...
,
Helder Guimaraes
Helder may refer to:
* Den Helder or The Helder, a municipality and a city in the Netherlands
* Anglo-Russian invasion of Holland in 1799, or expedition to the "Helder"
People
* Anne-Marie Helder (21st century), British singer-songwriter
* ...
Ian Kendall
Ian or Iain is a name of Scottish Gaelic origin, derived from the Hebrew given name (Yohanan, ') and corresponding to the English name John. The spelling Ian is an Anglicization of the Scottish Gaelic forename ''Iain''. It is a popular name in Sc ...
, Chris Kenner,
Homer Liwag
Homer (; grc, Ὅμηρος , ''Hómēros'') (born ) was a Greek poet who is credited as the author of the ''Iliad'' and the ''Odyssey'', two epic poems that are foundational works of ancient Greek literature. Homer is considered one of the ...
,
Max Maven
Max Maven (born Philip T. Goldstein; December 21, 1950 – November 1, 2022) was an American magician and mentalist whose performances were considered erudite and intelligent. He is ranked as one of the most influential mentalists of all time, a ...
,
Jon Racherbaumer
Jon is a shortened form of the common given name Jonathan, derived from "YHWH has given", and an alternate spelling of John, derived from "YHWH has pardoned".Jim Steinmeyer
Jim Steinmeyer (born November 1, 1958) is an American author, inventor, and designer of magical illusions and theatrical special effects. He holds four US patents in the field of illusion apparatus, including a modern version of the Pepper's Gho ...
,
Dustin Stinett Dustin may refer to:
Places in the United States
* Dustin, Nebraska
* Dustin Township, Holt County, Nebraska
* Dustin, Oklahoma
Other uses
* Dustin (name), including a list of people and fictional characters with the given name or surname
* Dustin ...
Caleb Wiles
Caleb (), sometimes transliterated as Kaleb ( he, כָּלֵב, ''Kalev'', ; Tiberian vocalization: Kālēḇ; Hebrew Academy: Kalev), is a figure who appears in the Hebrew Bible as a representative of the Tribe of Judah during the Israelites' ...
.
''Geniis team of critics for new books and products are currently: David Britland,
John Lovick
John Lovick is an American magician, writer, and director. Since the 1990s he has performed as a magician throughout the United States and Canada, as well as England, Australia, New Zealand, and Malaysia.
His performing alter ego, Handsome ...
Eric Mead
The given name Eric, Erich, Erikk, Erik, Erick, or Eirik is derived from the Old Norse name ''Eiríkr'' (or ''Eríkr'' in Old East Norse due to monophthongization).
The first element, ''ei-'' may be derived from the older Proto-Norse languag ...
David Regal
David (; , "beloved one") (traditional spelling), , ''Dāwūd''; grc-koi, Δαυΐδ, Dauíd; la, Davidus, David; gez , ዳዊት, ''Dawit''; xcl, Դաւիթ, ''Dawitʿ''; cu, Давíдъ, ''Davidŭ''; possibly meaning "beloved one". w ...
,
Dustin Stinett Dustin may refer to:
Places in the United States
* Dustin, Nebraska
* Dustin Township, Holt County, Nebraska
* Dustin, Oklahoma
Other uses
* Dustin (name), including a list of people and fictional characters with the given name or surname
* Dustin ...
, and
Joe M. Turner
Joe M. Turner (born November 23, 1969) is an American corporate magician, mentalist, and a frequent keynote speaker at conferences and other meetings. Based in Atlanta, he is in the field of corporate magic as well as customizing magic perform ...
.
Past columnists have included
Dai Vernon
Dai Vernon (pronounced alternatively as "DIE" or as "DAY" as in David; June 11, 1894 – August 21, 1992), a.k.a. The Professor, was a Canadian magician. His sleight of hand technique and knowledge, particularly with card tricks and close ...
,
Charlie Miller
Charles Miller (born 18 March 1976) is a Scottish retired footballer. He started his career at Rangers, and was voted the SPFA Young Player of the Year in 1995 during his time with the club. After spells with English Premier League clubs Lei ...
Harry Lorayne
Harry Lorayne (born 4 May 1926) is an American magician and a memory-training specialist and writer who was called "The Yoda of Memory Training" and
"The World's Foremost Memory-Training Specialist" by ''Time'' magazine. He is well known for hi ...
,
David Acer
David Acer (; born 27 February 1970) is a Canadian author, stand-up comedian, close-up illusionist, inventor of magic tricks, and co-host/co-writer of the syndicated television series Mystery Hunters.
His writing on Mystery Hunters earned him ...
,
Michael Close
Michael Close (born 30 July 1994) is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played for the Brisbane Lions in the Australian Football League (AFL).
AFL career
From Harrow, Victoria, Close was drafted by Brisbane at Pick 32 in t ...
James Swain
James Swain (born June 7, 1956) is an American crime fiction author and magician.
Swain has written at more than fifteen fiction and non-fiction books. Many have been translated into twelve languages.Paul Cummins, and
Jamy Ian Swiss
Jamy Ian Swiss (born November 30, 1952, in Brooklyn, New York) is an American magician, author, speaker, historian of magic, essayist, book reviewer, and scientific skeptic. He is known for sleight-of-hand with playing cards.
Magic
Swiss is ...