So , I just imagined my ideal book . I ’ d write it exactly the way I wanted to write it , with only the ideas that I thought should be important . And then , I ’ d get it to just the people who could use it .”

There was something liberating about matching the material to a short list of readers . “ As soon as I realized that I didn ’ t need to sell the book , that I could be satisfied with just a few readers , I knew that I had the perfect solution .” For the last few months , Steinmeyer has been writing a book of exclusive material , and tailoring it for a list of eight people . “ It isn ’ t as simple as giving it to my friends , or giving it to professional illusionists . There ’ s just a small group who will appreciate it in theoretical ways , and also understand it in practical ways . Since I now know those people , I could tailor the material to their interests and needs .”

What ’ s the name of it ? He hesitates , and then he says he won ’ t answer . “ I don ’ t want to turn this into a collectable . I don ’ t want to send people searching for it . No one needs to know the name , or who has it . That works against the purpose .” Still , I insist , I ’ d like to know the title so that , if I ever am looking over a shelf of used magic