Recollections of Magi-Fest and the Dream of Oz fulfilled!

This last weekend, I found myself at Magi-Fest in Columbus, Ohio. This was the 80th annual gathering of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, as well as all other magicians worldwide, including those in the Society of American Magicians.

 

I was there to fulfill a Royal Command from Her Majesty, Princess Ozma; Royal Sovereign and Ruler of Oz. It was nearly two years ago that She spoke to me of Her new Royal Magician and his adventures in Oz.

There were tales of Marauding Morel Mushrooms and an Army of Fighting Trees, the Spell of the Stone Morels and Nick Chopper's Place, of creatures of shadow and Evil, of sacrifices and retribution, of mechanical dogs and pinwheel fields. The tales She spoke of were both amazing and incredible and in any other land, almost unbelievable. In the Land of Oz, all things are possible and so I returned to the Great Outside with Her blessings and a mandate to write of the great grandson of O.Z. Diggs, the original Wizard of Oz.

After nearly two years, I have completed my task and presented my work to my fellow magicians at Magi-Fest.

I had attended  numerous times, starting in 1971 at the old Neil House. I am pleased to report that I had the time of a lifetime and my memories of Magi-Fest in the past had not failed me. It was like coming home and I felt at home among my fellow magicians.

I really enjoyed the Close-Up Competition, which featured some very talented magicians.

The Stage Competition was equally fun and included some classic illusions that I recall from my childhood, including the Zombie Ball, Linking Rings and even the Dancing Cane, which I had first learned from Paul Diamond.

And of course, the were the Dealers, with such a wonderful and varied selection of effects, illusions and legerdemain.

I was especially pleased to reconnect with an old friend from long ago. It was this man and his son who gave my father and I a lasting friendship I can never repay.

I'm also pleased to report that Joanne the Duck also had a great time!

 

In retrospect, Magi-Fest was everything I had hoped for and I look forward to next year... I may even perform!

Ruminations On The Journey Ahead!

In a matter of hours, I set my feet upon the road east and on to Magifest, the 80th annual gathering of the International Brotherhood of Magicians. It is the culmination of over 2 years of hard work and many a restless night as I strive towards fulfilling the Royal Command of Her Majetsy, Princess Ozma.

I think back to my childhood and memories of magic club meetings, performances and dreams of illusions. I still recall a day when I was 9 or 10 and my father took me by the hand and led me into our first magic club meeting in Ypsilanti, Michigan. It was to be the beginning of a wonderful journey into legerdemain, sleight-of-hand and more friendships than I can ever keep track of.

Soon, Ring 210; the Duke Stern Ring had formed and we were magicians. It has been a life-long passion and now, in less than a day, I will find myself once more (to quote the Wizard of Oz) "consulting, conversing and otherwise hobnobbing with my brother wizards" as I attend the 80th annual Magifest.

I have attended many such Magifests and each one is as unique and fun an event as my very first one in 1971. Such is the world of the International Brotherhood of Magicians.
When I set out to write my stories of Oz, I knew that my life in magic would become a central theme and with the publication of my third book, Family of Oz., that theme has been realized and the Royal Magician of Oz Trilogy now completes my long and sometimes arduous journey. I am humbled by the support I have received from those in the International Brotherhood of Magicians, the world of Oz and from children, both young and old alike.

What will come of my journey into the world of Magifest, I cannot say. I only know that I am back among my fellow magicians and I am happy.Life is good!

Her Majesty, Princess Ozma is equally pleased and has blessed me with Her Love and support.

James C. Wallace II
Royal Liaison to Princess Ozma

Family of Oz and the 80th Annual Magi-Fest!

The Royal Liaison to Princess Ozma; James C. Wallace II is proud to announce the upcoming world premier of Family of Oz, the third and final volume of the Royal Magician of Oz Trilogy.

Family of Oz will officially debut at the 80th Annual Magi-Fest, the yearly gathering of the International Brotherhood of Magicans in Columbus, Ohio; which takes place on Jan. 27-29, 2011.

Family of Oz

by

James C. Wallace II

Royal Liaison to Princess Ozma

It has been nearly 6 months since young Jamie Diggs returned from the Land of Oz with his best friend Buddy after defeating an ancient Evil while serving as Princess Ozma's new Royal Magician.

Now, he is called to return once more and take his rightful place alongside Her Majesty; Princess Ozma and Glinda; Good Witch and Ruler of the South Quadling Country, as well as Princess Dorothy.

Before the Royal Magician can return to Oz however, he finds himself on a fantastic journey down the Wabash River and a stop in Huntington, West Virginia for a taste of the legendary Stewart's Original Hot Dogs and Root Beer. Then it’s on to attend the annual gathering of their fellow magicians, known as the Magi-Fest and a tumultuous Close-Up Magic Competition.

Soon, the Family Diggs, Hank and Buddy find themselves transported back to Oz by way of The Duke's Magic Box. The only problem they find is that each one of them now find themselves somewhere in Oz... but alone!

As the Family Diggs, Hank and Buddy journey along the roadways, riverways and even above the Land of Oz alone, each one struggles to discover what Love and family means to them and each learns along the way that Love and family have been with them all along.

Aided by Her Majesty, the Queen of the Field Mice and Jamie's wayward, living decks of playing cards, as well as Buddy and the Cowardly Lion, the Royal Magician of Oz soon teaches Princess Ozma the true meaning of family and Love.

In a final and most fantastical battle alongside the Munchkin River, Jamie Diggs and his new army of friends battle Cobbler the Dog, a new and most mechanical pet of Tik-Tok, the Mechanical Army of Oz and an Unwilling Villain in an epic struggle of Good against Evil.

Scene 12; Act 30: Guest Author Jacquitta A McManus & Labyrinth's Door

With the end of 2010 in sight, I present yet another fine author who is out on her Virtual Book Tour.

Guest Author Jacquitta A McManus

&

Labyrinth's Door

Creating memorable characters is one of the hardest challenges when writing a story. And like a memorable character, a great adventure can make readers’ morn the end of a novel or series. But I also would argue that creating a great adventure itself could be just as hard.

But what makes a great adventure?

I personally love to write adventure stories. It’s the not knowing around the corner that makes me turn the page and stay up late to read … It’s what gets my heart pumping with each word. The wonder and the enchantment is what I seek when I sit down to read but as a storyteller making a great adventure isn’t just creating a memorable character and picking the theme and plot. It takes much more than that.

In my search for what makes a great adventure, I found that it takes memorable characters, an exciting adventure in a believable world, with twists and turns. It takes scenes that fit together in such a way that weaves you in and out of obstacles and through the emotions of the characters, while still revealing a world that your reader’s have never seen.

Reader’s sit down with adventure stories knowing that they are about to go on an adventure, so it’s not the adventure that captivates them … it’s the journey of the adventure. It’s the preparation, the friendships and the obstacles. It’s the wins and the losses. It’s the sum of the adventure they are seeking. They want someone to care about and something to fear as they journey through the adventure.

And it’s that balance I strive for as I create my stories.

To find out more about Jacquitta A McManus’s adventure in storytelling and her answers to the third of the three questions she asked herself as she started down her road of storytelling, follow her as she continues on her virtual book tour.

You can find her on Facebook, Twitter, GoodReads, and her blog: Journey of a Storyteller.

She would love to hear from you. If you would like to order any of her books visit WorldsToDiscover.com or find it on Amazon.com.

Happy Holidays for Family of Oz!!!

With the Chrismahannahkwanzika season now fully upon us, I am most pleased to report that progress on completing Princess Ozma's Royal Command is being made.

Family of Oz has now completed final edits and is going through formatting and such prior to sending it out to the printer.

It has been a long 2 years since Her Majesty commanded me to tell the story of Her new Royal Magician.

Now, with the upcoming publication of Family of Oz on schedule for its January 27th, 2011 premier at the 80th Annual Magi-Fest, I;the Royal Liaison to Princess Ozma, can see the end in sight and breath a welcome sigh of relief.

I am particularly pleased with the cover, which was done by my good friend and stunning artist, Dennis Anfuso.

As always... Par Ardua Ad Alta

James C. Wallace II
Royal Liaison to Princess Ozma