From Page to Stage: Gregory Maguire’s WICKED

Gregory Maguire, born in Albany, New York, is an acclaimed American novelist best known for "Wicked," "Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister," and numerous other works for adults and children. After his mother died during his birth, he was placed in an orphanage until age two when his father, having remarried, reclaimed him. Maguire has three half-siblings from his father's second marriage. Educated in Catholic institutions, Maguire earned a BA in English and Art from SUNY Albany, an MA in Children's Literature from Simmons College, and a PhD in English and American Literature from Tufts University. In 1978, he published his first novel, "The Lightning Time," and began to acknowledge his sexuality, identifying as gay. He was a professor and co-director at Simmons College's Center for the Study of Children's Literature from 1979 to 1986. In 1987, he co-founded the nonprofit Children's Literature New England, Inc. Maguire's first adult novel, "Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West," published in 1995, gained popularity with its Broadway adaptation in 2003. By 2005, "Wicked" spent 26 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. In 1997, Maguire met painter Andy Newman, and they adopted three children. They married in June 2004 and have lived in Concord, Massachusetts, since 1999. Maguire and his family were featured on Oprah in 2009. At Unban Coolies, we are honored to have Gregory Maguire share his experiences. His personal life and literary contributions significantly impact contemporary literature, inspiring countless readers worldwide.