Dear Friends:
The following is an excerpt from the introduction to my next book, which will be all about building and marketing your business as a magician or other independent performer. I hope you enjoy it, and look forward to any feedback you might have. Among other things, I’m searching for a title. I think I want it to be a “Wizard’s Way†book…and I’d love your help in coming up with the title. If you happen to be the person to send me the one I ultimately choose, I’ll send you a free, signed copy of the book when it’s ready.
OK… now from the book:
# # #
So, how much do YOU love to perform? Are you serious about building a career in magic, but have no idea how you’ll do that? Have you always wished you could put everything else aside and just do the thing you love, and still make a decent living? It’s not as simple as just developing a set of great tricks, or even building a show. But it’s not rocket science, either. I’m betting, if it’s your passion, you do have what it takes. All you need is a bit of guidance and special knowledge. So, what’s holding you back? Take a moment and answer that.
If you came up with something outside yourself—not enough money, not enough time, the opinions of others—you either don’t have the passion you need to make it, or you’re failing to take responsibility for your fate. You can change that, right here and now. It won’t be comfortable, but it will change the rest of your life.
As some of you might be aware, Jeff McBride and I have wanted to offer a “professionals†course, teaching the basic principles of building a magic business, for quite some time. As it turns out, we have a short break in both our schedules between November 19 and 22nd, so we thought we would take another shot at it. The course will include feedback from both of us on your performances (if you choose to show them), based on just what you need to do to make them more commercial, more saleable… more in concert with the market where you want to offer them. We’ll also cover every major aspect of running and managing your business, from finances to communications, with a strong emphasis on marketing—in ways you might not expect.
We’ve asked our good friend Richard Faverty, photographer extraordinaire to include a photo shoot as part of the package. As you’re already aware, a day of coaching with Jeff alone is worth over $1200. My own rates for a full day come in around $800, and Richard’s shoots run anywhere from $500 on up, depending on the amount of time and complexity of the shoot. We’ve decided to offer the whole package, just this one time, for $1,650, which we calculate to be about 35% off what it would normally cost. Participants will also receive a pre-release copy of the new book, notebooks of their own with additional materials, and more.
We can handle up to 12 students for this class, but no more. We’ll only offer it once at this price and with this set-up… so if you want what we’re offering, now is the time to sign up and get started on that career right now. If you’re serious about your career, why wait? Register now: http://www.magicalwisdom.com/events#496
Perhaps you’re one of our readers already firmly on the path to success with your business, but have always wanted to know the secrets to Jeff’s work with masks. This is a lucky time for you, because on January 9 and 10, Jeff will be joined by Enrico Pezzoli for Mask, Mime and Magic, right here at The House of Mystery in Las Vegas. Learn more and sign up while there are still spots left: http://www.magicalwisdom.com/events#498
I hope you’ve found this to be informative. I know, even when I’m not thinking of building a new business, I’m fascinated by learning how it’s done. Apologies for ending with my little “sales pitch.†I hate using this Museletter to sell, but sometimes we find ourselves “down to the wire†with a class, and this is one of those times.
You’re all such great supporters of our school and our continuing cause, I’d hate for you to feel we’re using this just to sell you our wares. That’s why we go out of our way to offer content each month that we think will deepen your thinking about our amazing art. Just now I’m feeling filled to the brim with just such thinking, largely because we’ve just wound up our best “Magic & Meaning†ever, and each and every talk inspired me to think in new and deeper ways. We’ll be posting some of the talks so those of you who couldn’t make it in can share them.
Till next time, then.
Sincerely,
YOUR mind is the KEY that can set you FREE!  – Houdini
Magicians are masters of metaphor.
Every time an illusionist breaks free from his chains, or vanishes a tiger, they are reminding us that we can “escape reality” or that we can “make our fear disappear.”
Remember my friends, YOU are the alchemist and can transform your FEAR into POWER! -Jeff McBride
 
Did you know that learning magic can help many people overcome life’s challenges?
The study and performance of magic can help you
Emotions, stress and fear are the great chains that hold us back from succeeding. Today I will share with you the secrets and the wisdom of great teachers on how you can break these chains that hold you back for getting ahead in life.
1. How to Overcome Fear
Houdini was more than an illusionist. His ESCAPES were a symbol of hope and freedom. Houdini reminded us that fear and the chains that hold us back can be broken. Houdini was famous for the saying: ” The mind is the key that will set us free!”
 2. HOW TO MANAGE YOUR EMOTIONS
How to Become More Optimistic
3. How to Eliminate Stress
The above listing was collected from Geoffrey James recently published book, Business Without the Bullsh*t: 49 Secrets and Shortcuts You Need to Know.
 
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For the past 25 years, we have had a few magic students step up to take the next step in their careers. We are now the worlds leading magic education facility.
YOU are invited to join us at the Mystery School in Las Vegas for our most magical offering.
THE MCBRIDE MASTERPIECE SERIES
The inside scoop is here:
http://www.magicalwisdom.com/masterpieces
WONDERGROUND
Thursday Oct 15th – You are invited to the BIGGESTÂ magic party in Vegas! One night only! Never to be repeated – 3 BIG shows!
8PM – COMEDY MAGIC SHOW – Host: Abigail McBride
Eugene Burger – America’s Master Magician
Larry Hass – The Magical Philosopher
Joan DuKore – Comedy Magic
Stan Sieler – The Mind Hacker
Joe Atmore – Modern Mind Reader
Jeff McBride – Heroes of magic
9PM – PARLOR OF MYSTERY – Host: Christian Diamond
Stan Sieler – The Mind Hacker
Matt Black – Bad Boy of Comedy
Elliott Hitchcock- His Amazing New Haunted House
10PM – STAGE EXTRAVAGANZA – Host: Jeff McBride
Circe – Cuba’s Favorite Female Magician
Jeff McBride – A new work:”The Last Mask”
Joan DuKore – Comedy and Magic
Luna Shimada – Sensual Sorcery
Xavier Mortimer – The Great Artist From France
Plus:Â The New World Rhythmatism Dancers, Bar Magic, Scott Steelfyre, Iam Creed, and Randilyn. Psychic Sideshow with Alan Scott, live art with Areeya and many more surprises and special celebrity guests!!
Abbi and I hope to see you in Las Vegas very soon…hey, life is short! What are you waiting for?
Jeff
What we plant in the soil of contemplation, we shall reap in the harvest of action.
–Meister Eckhart
Dear Friends:
October has arrived, and harvest time is near! For those of us in love with the fine art of magic and magical performance, that means many things. One of those, of course, is that the holiday season, with all its parties and other celebrations is coming on fast—and that means many opportunities to perform. It also means we are coming up on International Magic Week, that final week of the month leading up to Halloween, and a great time to generate publicity for the art, and for yourself as a magician!
If you think in terms of a year, plant a seed; if in terms of ten years, plant trees; if in terms of 100 years, teach the people.
–Confucius
Those of us at The McBride Magic & Mystery School look forward to October each year, because some of our favorite events of the year take place then. Jeff and Mario Morris conduct their annual “Focus on Street Magic†class from Oct. 9-11. Always a popular event, the class not only provides students with a safe space, guidance, and lots of real “insider knowledge†on how to succeed as a busker, but also takes them out onto the streets of Las Vegas. Some students even wind up earning more with their newfound knowledge while they are in Las Vegas than it costs them to be here!
The second big event of the month is our annual visit from Ross Johnson, for our “Master Class on Mentalism.†The class is, once again, sold out, and I can certainly see why. This year Ross has agreed to share some of his closely held secrets learned from the great Al Koran. Always an inspiring teacher, this is a very special gift made by one of our true living masters, and those attending are in for an exciting few days!
Finally, we have our annual “Magic & Meaning Conference.†For myself, at least, this is an annual “homecoming†event where so many of our magical community gather, and share their wide variety of experiences and insights from over the past year. Many of you who have attended have been coming to the conference for many, many years, and it’s always a joy to see you again! Our special guest this year is Max Maven, who was last a special guest for us back in the early 1990’s at one of the first Mystery School retreats, WAY back when we were still at our first home, the Ananda Ashram in upstate New York. Some of those who attended that session will again be with us this year!
As we approach our 25th year of offering experiential magical learning events, I feel we can celebrate our own special harvest; all of you who make up our ever-growing community. We are indeed thankful for all of you—your wisdom, support and continuing participation in our efforts! Whether you’ve attended one of our classes or other events, helped us by sponsoring “McBride Magic Experience†outreach events, watched our Monday Night Mystery School web-casts, or just read this Muselettler—you’re one of our inside champions, and we THANK YOU!
All truth passes through three stages. First, it is ridiculed. Second, it is violently opposed. Third, it is accepted as being self-evident.
         –Arthur Schopenhauer, German philosopher (1788 – 1860)
Our friend Leo Diaz is working with Dirk Arthur and his wild jungle animals at The Westgate.
It seems like many of our friends at our WONDERGROUND are appearing on the Penn & Teller FOOL US TV show!
CATHY LAVEAU – African American Female Magician
Our after-party seems to be taking on a life of its own. Join us after the WONDERGROUND show at our secret after-party location (just ask me in person—and don’t tell the muggles. It’s an insider secret!)