Gregory Maguire to release 'Wicked' prequel: 'Galinda'
Still bewitched by Wicked after the curtains have fallen?
Consider this your trip down the yellow brick road, as the author of the original Wicked novel, Gregory Maguire, is releasing a Wicked prequel revolving around The Good Witch's early life.
Titled Galinda: A Charmed Childhood, the novel dives into the origins of the titular character, the youngest of four in a noble family, as she discovers dancing as a way to escape a comfortable yet troubled childhood.
The upcoming release is supplementary to Maguire's other prequel novel, Elphie, which centers on Elphaba the Wicked Witch of the West, published this year. Galinda will be published by Harper Collins on Sept. 29, 2026.
The novel will have 256 pages and will be released as a deluxe, limited-edition hardcover featuring stenciled edges and designed endpapers, among other features.
This would be Maguire's ninth novel set in the Oz universe, narratively preceding his initial four-book series, and the sequel trilogy Maracoor.
Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West was first published in 1995 and turned into the successful Wicked musical in 2003. Maguire followed up the novel with several sequels, including Son of a Witch, A Lion Among Men, and Out of Oz.
Wicked was released on Nov. 22, 2024, and received 10 Oscar nominations, winning Best Costume Design and Best Production Design.
Wicked: For Good, the second part of the movie adaptation of the musical, is now in theaters. It stars Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, Ariana Grande as Glinda, Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero, Jeff Goldblum as The Wizard, Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible, among others.
