A new novel has been announced in the Wicked book franchise.
Back in 1995, author Gregory Maguire released Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, which followed “the untold story of the Witches of Oz” with green witch Elphaba and popular Glinda at Shiz University.
The novel was inspired by L. Frank Baum’s 1900 children’s book, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, which was later adapted into the iconic 1939 film, The Wizard of Oz.
Since its publication in 1995, Wicked has been adapted into a record-breaking stage musical on Broadway and the West End. More recently, it has been transformed into two successful films, starring Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Galinda/Glinda.
Amid the release of the second movie, Wicked: For Good, it has now been confirmed that Gregory Maguire will be releasing a new book next year, focusing on the origin story of Galinda.
The book, titled Galinda: A Charmed Childhood, will be set during her time living in the Upper Uplands, prior to her transformation into Glinda the Good Witch.
“The youngest of four children in a high-born family down on their luck, Galinda is both pampered and ignored,” the book’s description reads.
“Her natural grace promises to elevate her in the district dance competitions — but these efforts distract her from seeing the growing resentments of local merchants who disapprove of her family’s business strategies. Enmired in the self-satisfactions and unnamed timidities of childhood, Galinda finds in herself neither canniness nor the need to cultivate it,” it continues.
The synopsis adds: “However, as her father deftly pivots around the snares and nets laid for him by his competitors, Galinda begins to dance toward a life that might lift her above her proud, if hardscrabble, childhood.”
Galinda’s origin story will mark the fifth book that Gregory has penned about the Wizard of Oz’s characters. After Wicked, he released Son of a Witch in 2005, A Lion Among Men in 2008, and Out of Oz in 2011.
Many fans of Wicked have since been taking to Instagram to express their excitement for the new novel, with one writing: “I LOVED Elphie and can’t wait to check in with Galinda again.”
“I couldn’t be happier to hear this news,” another gushed.
Galinda: A Charmed Childhood is set to be released on September 29, 2026.
