Mick Ayres, co-owner
Mick Ayres is a storyteller in every sense of the word. He spent several decades as a “taleswapper, tunesmith, and trickster” performing for The Walt Disney Company, sharing his work with guests from all over the world. The Covid issue forced changes into the careers of many entertainers. So, Mick used the opportunity to begin publishing his copious stories and creative ideas. He is now a recognized writer of multiple books and manuscripts that highlight his interest in the performance arts. Currently, Mick stays busy as a published columnist for various periodicals with the conjuring industry.
Main Genre
Mick writes instructional books for hobbyists and professionals within the conjuring industry. He also compiles collections of humorous folklore and southern tall tales.
Coming Soon from Mick Ayres
“The High Road: Scriptwriting, Act-Construction, and Character Development for the Modern Conjurer” – A compilation of thought-provoking and award-winning essays focused on the theatrical nuances facing every performing conjurer today. In addition, each essay is accompanied by fully explained, original effects that support the discussed theories. These columns were published over five years (January 2013 to December 2017) in the pages of MUM magazine for the Society of American Magicians. In 2013, the Society presented Mick with the Lester P. Guest Award for Literary Excellence.
“The Holy City Sessions” – In 2013, Mick Ayres and Robert Moreland presented a rare duo-lecture in Charleston, South Carolina before professional conjurers who gathered there from all over the southeast United States. The lecture notes from that event had a limited printing, so copies are hard-to-find and very expensive. Twenty years later, Ayres and Moreland have agreed to finally print a second edition of the coveted lecture notes. A release date is scheduled by the end of the year 2024.
Mick’s Previous Works
“The Act-Series”
Each of the seven books in Mick’s highly acclaimed Act-Series provides thorough information and details behind the successful mentalism acts that he performed for the guests at Disney’s resort on Hilton Head Island. Each show was presented regularly in front of thousands upon thousands of guests from all over the world. These books are considered by working professionals to be templates for creating and building your own act.
- Hoodwinkings (Book One in the Act-Series)
- Predict-Abilities (Book Two in the Act-Series)
- Noetic License (Book Three in the Act-Series)
- S’lie (Book Four in the Act-Series)
- Conjure Man (Book Five in the Act-Series)
- Mr. Know-It-All (Book Six in the Act-Series)
- INTIMA (An Act-Series Companion)
“The ‘Good Nights’ Series”
By popular demand, each of these books offer a seven-fold collection of Mick’s own heart-warming stories and humorous tall tales that you can now enjoy with your loved one. These are evening tales shared at the bedside, across the table, or over the phone – one each night for just a few minutes. Think about it – in exchange for less than 1/52nd of a year, you and your friend receive a lifetime of fond, unforgettable memories.
- A Week of Good Nights
- Another Week of Good Nights
- A Third Week of Good Nights
- A Fourth Week of Good Nights (to be released by December 2024)
“The Early Works”
Throughout the 80s and 90s, Mick quietly wrote down the details surrounding his conjuring ideas and effects. He successfully performed these effects around the continental United States, Canada, and Mexico. “Decipiatur” even explains the methods for the effects Mick used in the 1999 audition that lead to his 22-year contract with that company. For decades, these publications were only available as e-books and only known within the conjuring industry. Now, they are available to you.
- Carpe Chartas – A Collection of Early Conjuring Dramas and Presentations
- Cards & Curiosities – Feats of Mentalism & Other Mysteries with Common Pasteboards
- Bamboozlings – New Ideas, Concepts & Profound Mysteries for Conjurers
- Cardworker – Personal Thoughts, Strong Effects & Useful Sleights with Playing Cards
- Decipiatur – Simple to Advanced Presentations with Playing Cards and Your Imagination
“Man, Magic & The Word of God”
A Concise Understanding of Magic in Biblical Terminology and the Modern Use of Theatrical Magic to Promote the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In these pages, Mick takes a scholar’s approach to exploring every term in the Bible that refers to magicians and sorcerers described in the Old and New Testaments. Anecdotes from Mick’s own experiences as a Christian and as a magician fill the pages of this book. This book also offers a few clever and simple tricks to be performed as ‘evangelical icebreakers’ to gently nudge people into talking about their own relationship with Jesus.