Geniality for the New Genii
Congratulations on launching the next chapter in Genii’s life! I love the new design of the magazine. More than anything, I appreciate the spirit emerging from your writings—I find your vision and energy truly inspiring.
I really appreciated Chloe Olewitz’s article, “What Is This Magazine?” (February 2025), particularly her thoughts on walking the fine line between civility and important critical conversations. This could be an inspiring goal for the Genii community—to model how creative collaboration can arise from differences.
I’ve been a Genii subscriber since the early ’70s and have always loved the magazine. Thank you for all you’re doing.
—Andrew Bennett
I’m looking forward to the March issue although I haven’t quite finished the February issue. It’s not that I’m a slow reader... I just enjoy everything about the new Genii. Fantastic.
—Don Wiberg, Past International President, The International Brotherhood of Magicians
What I really like is that the magazine now looks as if it were on a magazine rack in Barnes & Noble. I’d be drawn to it, I would read it with a latte, and buy it.
—Norm Danzig
Please offer Krystyn Lambert a “Brava” for her article, “What a German Philosopher Might Tell You about Your Audiences” (February 2025). Very, very good.
—Raymond Dionne
When the Type Isn't Your Type
But just as we were feeling smug, some readers voiced their sincere concerns. Several observed that the type had gotten small in sections of the magazine. “My reading glasses have reading glasses,” one reader explained. Good point. The type was wrong in some spots. We have been making some adjustments, and we hope to find the perfect formula as we move forward.
When the Reviews Get Reviewed
Other readers were disappointed by our new review systems, noticing that reviews had gotten shorter. There’s also a concern that our trick reviews are conducted by a team of unnamed industry professionals. To several loyal Genii readers, this anonymity seemed untrustworthy: “[The] review section [is] just publicity in disguise.”
The Genii book, trick, and video reviews provided the most difficult challenge in planning this new magazine. Some readers loved the old review system, and some didn’t. It was unsustainable. It kept us from getting timely reviews, it was irrelevant for manufacturers, and it was difficult for reviewers.
In the past, Genii favored longer reviews. We have decided to format shorter reviews, which are free to run longer, depending on the nature of the subject and the needs of the reviewer. Our book and video reviews will always have names attached, and we hope you associate with those reviewers.
Our trick reviews are also using those guidelines, but we are not naming the reviewers for tricks. We are assembling those reviews from a group of professional performers, dealers, and inventors who have particular specialties. Should you trust them? We hope that you will trust us regarding their qualifications, but ultimately you will judge the quality of their work. We see how anonymous reviews of tricks can allow for more honest opinions in a business that is dominated by a small group of manufacturers and sellers. (The same way that many leading newspapers and magazines deliberately use anonymous reviewers for restaurants or entertainment.)
In addition, you’ll find a rotation of special columns that look at products from particular points of view: “Best in Show,” “The $100 Challenge,” “Staff Picks,” and this month, “Not Forgotten.”
Will this work? Behind the scenes, we’re still working to offer readers the most useful results. We believe it’s an interesting experiment, especially in a day when you can watch videos of tricks online and find countless discussions of the secrets on websites.
Have Something to Tell Us?
We encourage your comments, suggestions, and prohibitions. Reach us with the speed of email at editors@geniimagazine.com. We are, as the original genie insisted, here to serve.