The End Times Magazine

[Jack Shalom]

I'm enjoying this first issue. It's a large-sized (about the size of Genii, but a bit wider) nicely bound quality paperback format, with lots of clear black and white photos. It's all cards, with appealing plots. I like the effects that were mentioned in the post above. Other of my favorites include a Spectator Cuts to the Aces effect where the premise is cutting for high card, and another effect which has the performer apparently dead cutting twice to two spec's selected cards.

The effects mostly require sleights which are fun to do in a John Bannon-ish way (early John Bannon, i.e. before he went sleightless); in fact many of these sleights are John Bannon sleights. Nothing too strenuous, but the kind that make you smile as you do them.

And did I mention that Ryan has a wicked sense of humor? It's quite an entertaining read. I don't think anyone can complain that they haven't gotten their money's worth for this issue. Looking forward to giving some of these effects a spin with some actual participants.

[Bill Mullins]

Received my copy today. And it was in a plain brown wrapper, as promised.

[Ryan Matney]

Thanks, Jack for the kind words! Glad you are enjoying it. More fun is coming ...

[Ryan Matney]

Received my copy today. And it was in a plain brown wrapper, as promised.

Of course. We wouldn't want the riff-raff to know what we are really up to.

[Ryan Matney]

A Tease:
John Carey just sent me an amazing trick inspired by something he read in Book One. It's no-nonsense killer involving a spectators mentally selected card. It doesn't get much more direct than this. And John has made quite the creative leap from where we started.

If YOU want to read it, you got to subscribe. It will appear soon in Book Two.

What else will appear in Book Two? Hmm.. I can't reveal all just yet but ...how about Xavier Spade's self-working spread cull!

And, working on a little surprise for ALL subscribers that will ship with Book Two. More about that soon.

[Ryan Matney]

I am preparing an "Extra" issue for all subscribers to The End Times. It will be 30 pages or so and ship with Book 2. That will bring your total page count to 100 pages of magic! Routines from me and John Carey.

The Extra will contain more great usable routines just like the main issue but we will stretch out and do a little more creative exploration. I promise nothing half-baked or unfinished, though.

You ONLY get the extra if you are subscriber.

Subscribe NOW and receive the first issue immediately and get the second issue along with the robust extra around August.

[Ryan Matney]

Just received:

"The End Times is a great new journal by the very clever Ryan Matney. I see a LOT of new magic in my job but when I see material of this quality I sit up and take notice. I will be subscribing.

The first trick in the first issue,"Dislocation," is worth the price of admission. It uses one of my favorite "semi automatic" ideas in a new and interesting way. I found at least two effects I will add into my repertoire just in issue one. Ryan's got a great eye for strong material and you see that in this exciting new series.

If "Book One" is any indication of what is to come, I am excited to see more." - Tim Trono

[Ryan Matney]

If you have wanted to subscribe to The End Times but you are a broke, busted-ass magician, I have new payment option for YOU.

We have all been there. Sometimes $100 is a lot to come up with at once. I am now offering a monthly payment plan.

For a low monthly payment automatically drafted from your paypal accont, you can get the full benefits of being a subscriber including the upcoming EXTRA issue.

Follow the link below for the details, my friends.

http://ryanmatneymagic.com/index.php/product/the-end-times-monthly-payment-option/

[Rob Block]

Any idea when issue #2 is coming out?

[Ted M]

The second issue is due in August.

[Ryan Matney]

Obviously I missed August. The second issue should be out in a few weeks from now pending a business arrangement. Hard to give you an exact date as it depends on a couple of things but I will update here with a specific date as soon as I have that information.

The fact is, there was a certain number of subscriptions I needed to get in order to make this work for me and I fell way, way, short of that goal. It appeared to be viable for the first issue while I was sending those out and then subscriptions slowed down to nothing pretty quickly. Then I'm stuck.

I'm dealing with it and will be finishing the four issues. There's a plan in place to get them out.

I really do appreciate that most all of you that subscribed, apart from a couple of notable exceptions, have been very patient.

[Rob Block]

Thanks Ryan. It just suddenly dawned on me now that NewHallowThanksmas season is over that I never saw issue #2. I was hoping that I just didn't miss it or it got lost in the mail. Bummer that you didn't get the number of subscribers you were looking for, but I'm happy to hear that the total 4 issues will still go out. To anyone who didn't subscribe - you missed out on some great stuff!

Rob

[Ryan Matney]

Thanks Rob!

Don't count it over and done yet! I'm committed to finishing the run. And any subscriptions incoming will be honored. I do realize anyone thinking about subscribing now might want to wait to see if I send out Book Two and Three. But the more successful it is, the quicker I can work, that's just a reality.

But its coming out regardless.

[Ted M]

But the more successful it is, the quicker I can work, that's just a reality.

Er, is it not also "just a reality" that it was advertised and sold as a quarterly publication?

[Ryan Matney]

But the more successful it is, the quicker I can work, that's just a reality.

Er, is it not also "just a reality" that it was advertised and sold as a quarterly publication?

Since I honestly explained the situation, I'm not sure what you want here Ted. You are not a subscriber.

[Ted M]

The flippant dismissal of pre-paid commitments (by you, and by too many others) damages the magic marketplace for everybody.

When you decide to take people's money, you have the obligation to say what you mean and mean what you say.

[Brad Henderson]

I didn’t see anything Ryan has written that would seem flippant. As a subscriber I appreciated the update.

[Steve Mills]

The flippant dismissal of pre-paid commitments (by you, and by too many others) damages the magic marketplace for everybody.

When you decide to take people's money, you have the obligation to say what you mean and mean what you say.

I also didn't subscribe and I'm not sure that is even germane. My list of paid for and undelivered publication is too long now.

Your last sentence sums up my feelings totally and I'll never understand the complete dismissal given by purchasers of undelivered product.

This didn't have to happen. Since there was a definitive subscription goal needed to make it viable, why in the world wasn't that stated in the "prospectus"? Very simply, it if was not reached, just refund the balance and move on.

I'll close now and go read my 2 issues of The Talisman and 1 issue of The West Coast Quarterly etc. etc.

[Richard Kaufman]

Don't leave out Arcane, Epoptica, and The Braue Notebooks!

[dc james]

I clearly recall The Looking Glass as being a “quarterly publication” that only took four years to complete. There’s a long list of such delayed publications.

That said, as a subscriber to The End Times, I appreciate Ryan Matney’s efforts to keep us updated and believe that he’s determined to ultimately deliver on his promise.

While those who do not subscribe to The End Times are certainly free to make any comments they chose, I personally find them worth exactly what this delay has cost them. Absolutely nothing.

[Jack Shalom]

Ryan has just offered a free pdf of one of his publications to subscribers as a way of bridging the gap while he attempts to get the rest of the numbers out. I think this is a fair way to proceed and I thank him.

[Jon Elion]

The 1st issue of The End Times Magazine was (is) OUTSTANDING! I consider it one of the best bargains around, and one of the finest publications in my rather large magic library. Beautifully produced, clearly written and photographed with truly outstanding effects. The sleights shown are not difficult, and are beautifully orchestrated into the flow of the routines -- even if someone is "burning" your hands (they shouldn't be) the action all looks quite innocent.

Life happens. To me, it is not whether or not problems arise, it is how an individual responds that is their true measure. Ryan scores off the charts in this regard, has been open and transparent, and doing his best to play the hand that he has been dealt (no puns or double entendres there, so don't bother looking). The free PDF was a pleasant surprise and much appreciated, and I look forward to devouring the remaining issues of The End Times Magazine. No regrets here, just someone who is the beneficiary of some outstanding magic -- thanks Ryan!

[skmayhew]

The 1st issue of The End Times Magazine was (is) OUTSTANDING!

I agree!