Introduction
The transition from children's performer to respected mentalism authority might seem unlikely, but Jim Kleefeld's calculated approach demonstrates how strategic thinking can reshape a magical career. As Jim reveals in his conversation on The Magic Book Podcast:
"The more I did it, the more I appreciated and liked the concept of mentalism. Because you're using your mind, it's more cerebral, it's a little more intelligent. I like that aspect of it, that it seems more magical, but more real in a way too."
Jim Kleefeld, a professional magician with over sixty years of performance experience, joined me to discuss his remarkable journey from children's entertainer to acclaimed author. During our conversation, we explored Jim's systematic approach to building credibility, his extensive research into magic books and mentalism, and the strategic decisions that led to his acclaimed works "Locked" and "The Book Test Book."
The Psychology Behind Magic
Jim's introduction to magic began with a refreshingly honest self-assessment that cuts deeper than typical origin stories. While most magicians cite seeing a show or receiving a magic set, Jim identified the real psychological driver:
"What draws you into magic is not that you saw it or had access to it. Once upon a time, when you were five or seven or eleven, what draws you into magic is something else, and it has to do with your personality."
This insight would later inform both his performing approach and his transition into mentalism, where the psychological aspects become even more pronounced.
Professional Foundation
Jim's background as a kindergarten teacher with a master's degree in early childhood development provided unique advantages for his magical career. His professional commitment became legendary - with only one canceled show in sixty years due to a family medical emergency. Even then, he immediately rescheduled and performed for free once the crisis passed. This level of dedication established the work ethic that would drive his later research projects.
His transition into mentalism proved strategically sound, as he discovered libraries that booked his children's shows also programmed adult events, providing a built-in market for his new direction.
The Strategic Challenge
Despite decades of successful performing, Jim recognized a credibility gap when he decided to write about mentalism:
"I was well aware that I was widely known as a children's magician... Children's magicians are sometimes the weak stepchild in the family. You know, they're not thought of as real magicians because they just bought a box and showed the little kids, and anybody can do that for kids."
This perception problem required a calculated solution that would demonstrate his serious engagement with mentalism before tackling his true passion project.
"Locked": The Strategic Foundation
Jim's solution involved writing "Locked" as a deliberate stepping stone to establish mentalism credibility. His choice of locks as a subject reflected both personal interest and strategic thinking:
"So I deliberately picked another subject, which was locks, and decided to write a book on locks and see how well I could have that defined and put out."
The project's scope became comprehensive, ultimately covering 116 lock products, 107 published routines, and 62 original routines. Jim's research revealed the generous nature of the magic community when he reached out to established performers for contributions. Every single person he contacted - including Richard Osterlind, Max Maven, Paul Daniels, and John Archer - agreed to contribute material without asking for compensation.
Jim's organizational approach involved studying locks mechanically before diving into magical applications, then structuring the book into logical sections covering commercial products, published material, and original contributions. He deliberately avoided escape artistry, recognizing that escape artists typically use ungimmicked locks where the secret lies elsewhere in the method.
His writing process relied heavily on computer organization, using folder systems to sort material by categories and publications. Both he and his wife preferred printing manuscripts for proofreading, leading to multiple revision cycles before finalizing the text.
The decision to self-publish stemmed from previous experience with traditional publishers, where he received only small royalty percentages despite doing most of the work himself. Using print-on-demand technology allowed him to produce both standard and deluxe editions without minimum order requirements.
"The Book Test Book": The Real Passion Project
"Locked" successfully established Jim's mentalism credibility, clearing the path for his true goal - creating the definitive encyclopedia of book tests.
Jim's research methodology for "The Book Test Book" required extraordinary dedication. The scope ultimately encompassed hundreds of different book tests spanning from 1584 to 2020. His approach involved systematic examination of virtually every magic publication:
"I literally sat down at the table and thumbed through all of those, one page at a time, looking for book tests. In a case like this, online research doesn't do you much good because you're going to do a search for the word 'book' in a book about books."
The project required purchasing additional bookshelves to house his growing collection of actual book tests, including commercial products found through eBay searches and auction sites. He acquired approximately 600 book tests, though he passed on some rare items like Karl Germain's custom-printed "Hamlet" versions due to auction prices.
A Brilliant Suggestion
After completing the entire three hundred sixty-page manuscript, Jim's wife made a suggestion that transformed the project:
"She got all done with this 360-page book and she handed it back to me and had all the corrections in it. And then she said, 'Why didn't you make this book a book test?'"
Jim's response required rewriting the entire book to incorporate four different book test principles - every fourteenth word matching across pages, the word "book" appearing on every page tied to page numbers, a Flashback principle, and a long word principle embedded in essays:
"In order to do that, I had to go back and rewrite the first two or three lines of every single page."
This meticulous editing process ensured that the built-in book test methods worked perfectly while maintaining the book's readability and scholarly value. Jim chose to hide this feature as an Easter egg revealed only on the final page, rewarding careful readers who discover it.
Lasting Impact and Current Projects
Both "Locked" and "The Book Test Book" established Jim's reputation as a serious researcher and contributor to the literature of mentalism. The success opened doors to friendships and correspondence with performers he might never have met otherwise.
Jim continues exploring specialized topics, currently working on a book about geometric vanishes - puzzles like The Vanishing Leprechaun where objects mysteriously disappear through visual manipulation. His systematic approach to documentation continues, seeking contributions from the magic community.
Most Treasured Magic Book
Jim's story about "The Magic of Robert Harbin" illustrates both collector psychology and the importance of decisive action:
"I saw that I was very young, I had two little kids and that book cost $75. And I just knew I could not afford to spend $75 on a magic book... And lo and behold, another ten years went by and one showed up and it was $950. And my wife said, 'Just get it. Don't even.' So I paid a lot for a book that I could have bought for $75."
Conclusion
Jim Kleefeld's journey from children's performer to respected mentalism authority demonstrates how strategic thinking, systematic research, and genuine passion can reshape a magical career. His calculated approach to building credibility through "Locked" enabled him to create "The Book Test Book" - a comprehensive reference that serves both as practical resource and scholarly achievement.
Through his careful documentation of specialized areas within magic books, Jim has preserved knowledge that might otherwise be scattered or lost. His work proves that with patience, planning, and persistence, any performer can evolve beyond their initial reputation to make meaningful contributions to the broader magic community.
Jim's latest information and updates on his work can be found at jimkleefeld.com.
Timestamps
00:01 Introduction
05:26 Children's Entertainment Evolution
13:09 Balancing Children's Shows and Mentalism
16:23 Strategic Credibility Building with "Locked"
20:22 Contributions from Magic Luminaries
25:16 Writing and Publishing Process
31:57 The Passion Behind "The Book Test Book"
35:08 Extensive Research Methodology
37:34 Brilliant Book Test Suggestion
38:28 Hidden Book Test Implementation
42:02 Current Projects and Future Plans
44:03 Most Cherished Magic Book
47:13 Writing Advice for Performers
Books and Publications Mentioned
"Locked" by Jim Kleefeld (2015)
"The Book Test Book" by Jim Kleefeld (2020)
"The Magic of Robert Harbin" by Robert Harbin (1970)
"The Jinx" Magazine (1934 - 1941)
"The Phoenix" Magazine (1942 - 1954)
"Magick" Magazine (1970 - 1993)
Children's themed magic show books by Jim Kleefeld (2006 - 2011)
"Hamlet" (custom Karl Germain versions); gimmicked copies prepared circa 1905, based on the 1902 Dent edition.
"Mathematics, Magic and Mystery" by Martin Gardner (1956)