Genii Magazine - September 2026

September 2026 • Volume 89, Number 9

in this issue...

The Genii Speak • Will Houstoun
Genii at 30,000 feet

Mailbox • The Genii Editors
Disposing of a collection and thoughts on AI

The August Almanac • Will Houstoun
A conversation with Ramsay and gobbledygook

The Eye • Vanessa Armstrong Awards, shuffles, games, Eurovision, and the Pope

Features

Ton Onosaka: 1933-2026 • Kei Izumi
Celebrate the life of Ton Onosaka, as we explore little-known information about his youth, his work as an illustrator, and his role in connecting Japanese and Western magicians

The Specialty Convention • Mike Caveney A century after the first magic convention in the U.S., ComClave and The Magic Gathering inspire a look at the resurgence and benefits of specialized get togethers

Voices

If It's Not Fixed, Break It • R. Paul Wilson
What magicians can learn from Orson Welles’ impact on filmmaking

The Genii Questionnaire • Charlie Frye
Charlie Frye responds to Genii's questionnaire

The Shock of the New • Chris Power
A magic history convention brings up questions about the present and the future

Here and Now • James Harrington
How do you make a script sound like it isn’t scripted?

Wouldn’t It Be Good If...? • Marc Kerstein
Approaches that will help you come up with new ideas for your magic

In Practice

Magicana: The Sum • Alex Linian
Magic Square meets card coincidence in this blockbuster effect

Magicana: The Next Spot Card • Trent James What’s Next updated with some fooling touches

Magicana: Unshaved Triumph • Shoji Naruishi
A challenging in-the-hands Triumph with a convincing display

Magicana: Pocketful of Miracles • Dominique Duvivier
Card to pocket for cocktail parties

Imaginative Reality • Abby Segal
Imagination becomes reality in a quirky piece of magic with a surprise we won’t spoil here

Inventing Magic • Blake Vogt
Kyle Marlett joins Blake to invent a new idea and talk about the challenges of creating magic on the road

In Performance

The Magic Castle • Shawn McMaster
Discover the metallurgical magic of Tyler Rabbit’s conjuring with coins

California Magic Club • Vanessa Armstrong
Learn about two-plus decades of magic in this Bay Area venue

Marketplace

Best in Show • Jeff Prace
Neat work from Alexander Hansford

Staff Picks: Eagle Magic • Larry Kahlow
Visit North America’s oldest magic shop

Reviews GiSulHak: The Art of Conjurings ; Cerca; Tarot Ex Machina; Pixx

##Workshop Thinking Outside the Rectangle • Dr. Matt Pritchard
Houdini gets hyped

Planning for the Future • Sara Crasson
Important things we all too often ignore

Time-Warping the Cull • Justin Higham
A column where The Doctor and Erdnase meet to help make your cull invisible

Perspectives

Sleightly Astonishing • Jim Hagy
Magic, but at what cost?

Welcome to Wonderland • Ben Winn
What instrument do you play?

Michael Rayner: Flaming Hot • Vanessa Armstrong
Finding beauty in a balanced burning burger

Coffee with... Jack Rhodes
Brew a cup of tea as you read about Jack’s self-made magic special (then drink it while you watch)

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