Gregory Maguire (born June 9, 1954) is an American novelist renowned for his work in the genre of revisionist retellings of classic children's stories. Maguire's journey into the world of literature began with his debut novel, The Lightning Time, published in 1978. However, it was his novel Wicked, released in 1995, that marked his significant breakthrough. Initially met with modest success, Wicked eventually inspired a widely acclaimed Broadway musical in 2003, cementing Maguire's reputation in contemporary literature.

Maguire's literary creations often reimagine and breathe new life into beloved characters and tales. His reinterpretation of the Wicked Witch of the West from L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz as the compassionate and green-skinned Elphaba in Wicked, and his retelling of Snow White in Mirror, Mirror, are testaments to his unique narrative approach. With a career spanning several decades, he has authored a plethora of novels catering to both adults and children.

Academically, Maguire pursued his higher education at the State University of New York in Albany, culminating in a Ph.D. in English and American Literature from Tufts University. He has contributed to the academic world as a professor and co-director at the Simmons College Center for the Study of Children's Literature between 1979 and 1985. In 1987, he co-founded Children's Literature New England, a non-profit educational charity. Additionally, Maguire has served as artist-in-residence at various prestigious institutions.

On a personal note, Maguire is married to American painter Andy Newman, marking one of the first legal same-sex marriages in Massachusetts. The couple has adopted three children, solidifying their family unit. Gregory Maguire resides in Concord, Massachusetts, where he continues to enchant readers with his imaginative storytelling.