OOP: My Books are about to go Out of Print!
In 2017, Vanishing Inc. published editions of all three of my books of collected essays. They reissued my first two books—Shattering Illusions and Devious Standards—originally published by Hermetic Press—and published my new third collection, Preserving Mystery. They also produced a limited collector’s edition of all three titles, along with a not-for-sale volume entitled Light and Heat (a select collection of 18 of my book reviews from Genii magazine), bound in black with gold foil stamping and packaged in a matching slip case, entitled “The Works,” which sold out instantly. (I should have a bought a few for myself!)
As an author, I invariably have mixed feelings when one of my books goes out of print. On the one hand, I’m pleased to know that they’ve sold well enough to eventually sell out. On the other hand, I regard these books as “evergreen,” with content that is, I hope, largely timeless, concerned as it is with theory, art, craft, and history of magic, and so I am saddened when they become unavailable. I want the magic world to continue to be able to read my work.
Like it or not—or both, in reality—books do go out of print, and that is now the case, or rapidly becoming the case, with my three Vanishing Inc. volumes. So, if you’ve been putting of buying any of my books, or completing your set, here is the current status (notwithstanding that individual retailers may have a copy or a few on their shelves):
Shattering Illusions — A very small quantity of Shattering Illusions remain available from my own online store, and from Vanishing Inc.
Devious Standards — Devious Standards is now officially out of print from Vanishing Inc., and a very small quantity of Devious Standards remain available from my own online store. I also have a very, very few copies of the original Hermetic Press first edition, which I have now listed in my online store.
Preserving Mystery — A very small quantity of Preserving Mystery remain available from my own online store, and from Vanishing Inc.
Keep in mind that anything purchased from my online store comes with a personal inscription and signature.
Vanishing Inc.—specifically Josh Jay and Andi Gladwyn—have been terrific collaborators throughout these publications, along with my most recent book in the Astonishing Essays series, The Conjurer’s Conundrum, and the two instructional videos we have produced, “Cups & Balls Masterclass” and “The Card on Ceiling.” While there may come a time when we can reprint one or more of my three essay volumes, that prospect is presently far down the road. And yes, we do hope to eventually produce a new fourth essay collection, but that remains sometime off in the future.
So there you have it, and as always … thanks for reading!
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In recent blog news updates I’ve mentioned a number of podcasts, webinars, panels and interviews I’ve done in recent weeks. I recently took part in an event produced by SoMA, the Science of Magic Association, a panel discussion about “Magic, Charlatanry, and Skepticism.” A recording of that event is now available, and it was a fun, informative, and lively discussion: Magic, Charlatanry, and Skepticism
You can find out more about their series of “Conversations on Science, Magic, and Society” here: SoMA — Science of Magic Association
And you can also sign up for free to attend future events. Josh Jay and Roberto Giobbi were part of the most recent panel on “Advancing Magic through Science,” a recording of which should be posted soon.
And that’s the news this week. More magic content is in the works for the blog—stay tuned!
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