Gregory Maguire is an American novelist who has built a career exploring retellings and reimaginings of classic narratives. His first novel, The Lightning Time, was published in 1978. Many of his adult novels draw inspiration from well-known children's stories, giving familiar tales new perspectives and depth. Maguire's breakthrough came with Wicked, published in 1995 as his first novel for adults. The novel presents an alternative history of the Wizard of Oz from the perspective of the Wicked Witch of the West. Its critical and commercial success led to significant adaptations across media. Wicked was adapted into a Broadway musical in 2003, which became one of the most popular stage productions of its era. The story was later adapted into a two-part musical film series, with the first film released in 2024 and the second in 2025. Beyond Wicked, Maguire has authored several dozen novels for both adult and young adult audiences, including Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister, which similarly reimagines a classic fairy tale.