Cory D twigs us to a book on showmanship for magicians that was a collectors item until it was reprinted in 2000. Not only is it a well-written look at a fascinating subject, with compelling illustrations of tricks, techniques and other bits of stage craft, but it’s also full of indispensable advice for writers. Doctorow first ran across the book at the Viable Paradise science fiction writing workshop, held annually on Martha’s Vineyard.
There’s plenty to be learned here for anyone who seeks to entertain and interest the public, from speakers to musicians to dancers to writers who give readings of their work.
But that’s not why [James D Macdonald, Cory's instructor] recommends this book to his writing-students. Magic and Showmanship is a detailed dissection of stories and entertainment and suspension of disbelief, three key arts of any fiction writer (and they are especially important to science fiction and fantasy writers).
Dig the classic, 60s-style line-drawings!
(Thx, Boing Boing!)