A Fan Letter From Mom
When my son Alexander became interested in magic, I wondered how I could possibly support him. A conversation at school changed everything. Someone mentioned Mary Cicco Cooper, a retired art teacher with a passion for magic. Our first visit to her home was unforgettable. Alexander left beaming—arms full of Genii magazines and head full of tricks.
Genii has been a constant source of inspiration. Alexander devoured every page, and I followed right along with him. As a retired English teacher and principal, I’m drawn to strong writing and thoughtful storytelling. I especially loved the recent feature on Mystify—the stories behind the magicians’ “why,” are always my favorite part.
I’m deeply grateful to everyone who has poured their energy, wisdom, and creativity into this magazine. As I look at our stacks of Genii magazine, some now feature articles about, or written by, my son. Deepest thanks to the Genii team.
—Alicia Boyce (Alexander’s mom)
Now Reading the Articles
I’m a little behind on my reading…. In the March 2025 issue of Genii, the columns “The Name Game” [David Kaye], “Lying Through Your Teeth” [Andrew Frost], and “The Joy of Dropping” [Lindsay Benner] were outstanding. These articles were practical and inspiring.
—Brian Frank
[In the March issue,] your article about Max Maven and Balsamo was fascinating; Bill Malone’s answers to the Questionnaire showcased Bill’s excellent sense of humor; the Bob Higa and Chris Power articles were both interesting personal histories.
In the June Almanac, the writer suggested that Dai Vernon’s “adjustments of his first name” were mysterious, but Vernon himself explained the changes in a Videonics tape from the ‘80s. The inability of residents of New York City to properly pronounce his name, Verner, annoyed him. A dancer (it may have been Vernon Castle) provided the inspiration.
—John Morgan
It was very sad to read the news [in the June issue] that French magician Jean Merlin has passed away. I had the pleasure of meeting him many years ago when he and I were lecturing at a magic convention in Munich, Germany. A wonderful magician and a kind and lovely person.
—Tony Griffith
I just wanted to offer applause for the focus on the broader world of magical arts, beyond just technique and manipulation. You’re elevating our traditions while honoring them. This is what thoughtful evolution looks like. Your new pricing is worth every penny, for the quality of content, the caliber of contributors, and the sheer beauty of the design.
—Ruven Klausner
“Amateur,” From the Word for “Love”
We were surprised by an online critic, who was disappointed that Genii now seemed too professional, with “the part-time and hobby magicians [left] behind… more focused on working (or something like that) magicians.”
This is a subject that our editors have discussed, and our magic editor Noah Levine had some interesting observations. Noah writes:
📬 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.