Available August 12, 2025
The Dream Thief:
How to Steal Back the Life You Were Meant to Live
Your Dream Is Waiting. But You’ll Have to Steal It Back.
There are dreams we don’t talk about... Not because they weren’t important, but because life slowly convinced us they didn’t matter. Careers. Bills. Expectations. One day you look up and realize, you’ve been living inside a life that looks complete but quietly feels unfinished.
In The Dream Thief, master illusionist and storyteller Derek Selinger invites you into a powerful allegory about remembering who you were before the world told you to be practical. He’s seen firsthand how the world trains us to forget—to trade creativity for certainty, imagination for productivity, and purpose for predictability.
Through compelling storytelling, timeless metaphors, and thought-provoking “Dream Codes,” this book reveals how to recover what you’ve misplaced—and begin again with clarity, courage, and wonder.
Inside, you’ll discover:
✔ Why dreams fade—and how to know yours is still alive
✔ How memory, creativity, and identity are more connected than you think
✔ The hidden forces that steal our dreams (and how to take them back)
✔ Why dreaming isn’t a talent—it’s a skill that can be reclaimed
This book isn’t about chasing success. It’s about reclaiming the part of you that used to believe in something more. If you’ve ever wondered what happened to that version of you... this is the story that helps you remember. Now it’s your turn to steal your dream back.
Does this sound familiar?
You’ve built a stable life—but can’t shake the feeling that you’ve settled for something smaller than what you once imagined. You followed the path. You did the responsible thing. But somewhere along the way, the fire dimmed. What once felt full of promise now feels like maintenance mode—and it’s wearing you down more than you admit.
You used to dream freely, boldly—even wildly. Now, your days are full, but your heart feels strangely empty. You remember what it was like to imagine without limits—to create, to explore, to believe in something more. But these days, it feels like you're living inside a system designed to keep you busy, not inspired.
You keep wondering, “Is this it?”... and deep down, you know the answer is no. Even if you can’t name exactly what’s missing, you feel it. You’ve been productive, but not purposeful. Connected, but not truly seen. And a part of you still believes there’s something worth reclaiming.
If any of this sounds like you, join the waitlist.
Meet the author
Derek Selinger
Derek Selinger has spent more than two decades captivating audiences with a rare blend of artistry, storytelling, and insight. An award-winning magician, filmmaker, and speaker, Selinger’s work has taken him to some of the world’s most prestigious stages—from Las Vegas to Paris—and earned him six international awards, including the People’s Choice Award from the International Brotherhood of Magicians. His performances have reached millions through appearances on networks such as The CW, Discovery, and Fox News, as well as a memorable feature on Penn & Teller: Fool Us.
Yet Selinger’s life is defined by more than magic. His journey is shaped by a powerful personal narrative—one that began before he was even born. While pregnant with Derek, his mother was electrocuted in an accident that doctors warned would be fatal to her unborn child. Against all odds, he survived. That knowledge, revealed to him as a young boy, shaped his worldview and ignited a lifelong pursuit of purpose—a determination to embrace life as the extraordinary gift he believes it to be.
Selinger’s creative reach extends beyond the stage. As a filmmaker, his work has earned accolades at festivals across North America, including recognition for Best Music Video. His visual storytelling often merges with his live performances, blending magic and film to create immersive, unforgettable experiences. He has also coached collegiate basketball teams to championship victories and built a reputation as a dynamic corporate speaker, challenging audiences to pursue their own dreams with courage and intention.
In his book, The Dream Thief: How to Steal Back the Life You Were Meant to Live, Selinger expands on the ideas explored in his internationally acclaimed TEDx Talk, A Magician’s Guide to Realizing Your Dreams. Drawing from his remarkable journey—from surviving the impossible to thriving as an artist and entrepreneur—Selinger inspires readers to reclaim their purpose and embrace a life of meaning, passion, and wonder.
