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Key points
Author Gregory Maguire is writing a Wicked prequel novel about Galinda titled Galinda: A Charmed Childhood.
The book will chronicle the Good Witch's youth and serve as a "sister volume" to 2025's Elphie: A Wicked Childhood.
Galinda: A Charmed Childhood hits shelves Sept. 29, 2026.
Let us be glad. Let us be grateful.
Gregory Maguire is picking up his emerald pen for another book in hisWicked Yearsseries.
The author's nextWickednovel will be a prequel titledGalinda: A Charmed Childhood.Note the extra A in the sorceress' name, as the story will take place before she shortens her name as a tribute to Dr. Dillamond.
As the title suggests, the book willfollowthe future Good Witch of the North through her youth, when she was "both pampered and ignored" by her parents, according to an official description from HarperCollins. It will also feature "district dance competitions" amid a backdrop of "growing resentments of local merchants who disapprove of her family's business strategies."
The synopsis also implies that Galinda's father will play a prominent role in the novel, as the Upland patriarch "deftly pivots around the snares and nets laid for him by his competitors."
Universal Pictures
Wicked: For Goodbriefly depicted Galinda's childhood at the beginning of the film. Scarlett Spears (General Hospital) played a young version of Ariana Grande's beloved character, who in her youth desperately wanted to impress her friends with magical deeds despite a lack of natural skills in the spells department.
Maguire's firstWizard of Ozretelling, 1995'sWicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West,served as the inspiration for theWickedstage musical and films.
The novelist has cranked out eight more installments in his ever-expandingWickeduniverse since the musical hit Broadway in 2003, including mainline volumes like 2005'sSon of a Witch(about Elphaba's son, Liir), 2008'sA Lion Among Men(about the Cowardly Lion, Brrr), and 2011'sOut of Oz(about Elphaba's granddaughter, Rain).
Maguire also released a short story collection titledTales Told in Ozin 2012. Nine years later, he followed the main tetralogy with theAnother Daysequel trilogy, composed of 2021'sThe Brides of Maracoor, 2022'sThe Oracle of Maracoor, and 2023'sThe Witch of Maracoor.
The author most recently expanded theWickedworld with another prequel,Elphie: A Wicked Childhood, which was released earlier this year. LikeGalinda: A Charmed Childhood,Elphiepulled back the curtain on its titular witch's early years.Galindais described as a "sister volume" toElphiein HarperCollins' official description.
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Wicked: For Goodadapted the second half of theWickedBroadway musical, bringing the story of Elphaba and Glinda to a close — for now. Though we don't knowhowtheWickedfranchise will live on in film form, Universal's chief marketing officer, Michael Moses, told Vulture that the studio expects to bringmore Ozian adventuresto the big screen in the future.
"Because ofWicked's success but also the fanship, we have almost a responsibility to figure out how we can continue in this universe," Moses said. "Have we figured it out yet? No. But there are things underway."
Galinda: A Charmed Childhoodwill hit shelves on Sept. 29, 2026.
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