The Linking Ring and the I.B.M. Web Portal are both looking for help in gathering information for several topics about magic. At any given time, we have a dozen or more writers in various stages of researching and writing such stories. The following are some of the stories someone is working on, and we would appreciate it if anyone with something to contribute on any or all of them, would get in touch with the person designated.

And, by the way, we're also always looking for writers and photographers and reviewers and graphic designers and artists -- not to mention ideas and suggestions. Please contact Sammy Smith, editor of The Linking Ring, at: linkingring@mac.com, and/or Dennis Schick, editor of the I.B.M. Portal, at crylds@att.net, if you are interested.

1.  Magic Camps. Past I.B.M. President Don Wiberg is researching an article on Magic Camps, especially those summer magic camps many young people attend. If you own or direct or are a staff member at a magic camp (or ever have been), or if you have attended one, and have any stories or anecdotes or photos or anything related to them, please contact Don at IBMsecretary@comcast.net no later than March 31.

2.  Benevolence in Magic.  Associate Editor Dennis Schick is researching examples of the generosity of magicians for an extensive article. He wrote a two-page article for the Dallas convention program, and will expand it since he has learned of more benevolent groups and events. So far he has found:

•  David Copperfield's Project Magic,

•  Kevin Spencer's The Healing of Magic,

•  Share the Magic,

•  Operation Tricks Are Treats (hospital visits at I.B.M.'s annual convention),

•  Magic is Medicine,

•  Magician's Support Fund,

•  Lisa Menna's Cause to Wonder,

•  Magicians Without Borders,

•  the Fellowship of Honorable Magicians, and

•  several Foundations.

Knowing that there are other non-profit organizations, foundations, fund-raisers, benefits, etc. out there which are run by magicians and magic groups, we would appreciate any and all ideas, suggestions, photos, and specific contact information on any others. Send your information to Dennis at crylds@att.net.

4. Magic for (Occupations).  From time to time we read or otherwise hear about some magician who has focused on magic for doctors or dentists or teachers or some other occupation. We'd like to package as many of these as possible into a single article. If you, yourself, do this, or know of someone else doing this, please send your information and thoughts to Dennis Schick at crylds@att.net, and we'll follow up on all responses. 

5. Magic for Grandparents.  We have a writer interested in putting together an article on magic for grandparents -- lecturers, books, courses, best tricks to teach, etc. What better way to reach youngsters than through their grandparents, who have the time and interests to teach magic to their grandchildren. If anyone else is interested in this subject, or has information about it, please contact I.B.M. Portal editor Dennis Schick at crylds@att.net.

6.  Business cards used by magicians.  There are many ways magicians promote themselves. One is the standard business card. But even within those standard 2-inch by 3-and-a-half-inch cards are hundreds of variations -- colors, art, copy, typefaces, front-and-back, multi-folds, vertical vs. horizontal, etc. What do you do? Where do you get your cards printed? What works and doesn't work? How do you use your cards? Send your card and tell us about it, to Dennis Schick, crylds@att.net.  

These are only some of the topics someone is working on for us. Please help us with any and all of these, as well as give us any other suggestions of subjects for articles. If YOU want to write an article like the above subjects, volunteer to do that, too. 

We know you would like to read articles about ALL of the above topices. So why not HELP us make them better? Won't you help?