Bizarre Magick
A guide to storytelling, theatre and ritual in magic, with essays, performance pieces and a history of bizarre magick from ancient rites to the present day. Introduction by Jeff McBride, foreword by Brian “Prof BC” Corrigan.
About Vince Wilson, The Paranormalist
Séance performer, paranormal historian, author and magician. Baltimore born, working in the paranormal and magic since 1998, and on television, on stage and in print ever since.
The short version
Vince Wilson is known as The Paranormalist®. He investigates, writes about and performs the paranormal, with a historian’s head and a showman’s timing. He is widely regarded as one of America’s leading séance authorities and an expert in bizarre magick, and he has lectured across the United States and Europe, including at The Magic Circle in London and the Chicago Magic Lounge.
He founded Poe’s Magic Theatre at the Lord Baltimore Hotel in 2019 to bring magic back to his hometown, runs Poe’s Magic Club and the annual Poe’s Magic Conference, and produces ghost tours and immersive experiences. He served on the board of the Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum from 2022 to 2025.
Television and media
Vince has appeared as a paranormal expert, séance authority and performer on:
- Discovery Channel
- Travel Channel
- CNN
- National Geographic
- PBS
- History Channel
- Destination America
He appears regularly on radio and podcasts and consults for paranormal television and documentary productions.
Books by Vince Wilson
The Houdini Séance
How to stage a Houdini séance properly: Houdini’s life and his war on fraudulent mediums, the séance tradition that followed his death, and the craft of atmosphere, scripting, ethics and structure. Foreword by Paul Voodini.
Eerie DelMarVa
Haunted history from the Delaware, Maryland and Virginia peninsula, told the way the Eastern Shore tells it.
Ultimate Ghost Tech
The expanded guide to the instruments of paranormal investigation: what each one measures, what it cannot, and how to tell the difference.
Honors and recognition
- IBM Award of Merit, International Brotherhood of Magicians, 2026
- Cover feature, The Linking Ring, the magazine of the International Brotherhood of Magicians
- Featured performer with the Society of American Magicians
- Lecturer at The Magic Circle, London, and the Chicago Magic Lounge
- Performances and lectures in Europe, Los Angeles, Las Vegas, Orlando and Chicago
- Founder and director, Poe’s Magic Theatre, Baltimore
- Board member, Edgar Allan Poe House and Museum, 2022 to 2025
Book Vince
For séances, lectures, immersive experiences and media requests, use the inquiry form. Vince answers personally.
Questions people ask
Who is Vince Wilson, The Paranormalist?
Vince Wilson is a Baltimore-born séance performer, paranormal historian, author and magician who has worked in the paranormal and magic since 1998. He is known as The Paranormalist, has appeared on the Discovery Channel, Travel Channel, CNN, National Geographic and PBS, has lectured in the United States and Europe including The Magic Circle in London, and founded Poe’s Magic Theatre in Baltimore.
What books has Vince Wilson written?
Bizarre Magick, The Houdini Séance, Eerie DelMarVa and Ultimate Ghost Tech.
What TV shows has Vince Wilson appeared on?
He has appeared as a paranormal expert, séance authority and performer on the Discovery Channel, Travel Channel, CNN, National Geographic, PBS, History Channel and Destination America.
Where is Vince Wilson based?
Baltimore, Maryland, where he founded Poe’s Magic Theatre at the Lord Baltimore Hotel. He performs and lectures throughout the Mid-Atlantic, across the United States and in Europe.
Bring The Paranormalist to your table.
Tell Vince the date, the place and the kind of evening you have in mind. He answers every inquiry personally, usually within a day or two.