S&S signs prequel to Practical Magic

Simon & Schuster UK has announced the “long-awaited” prequel to Alice Hoffman’s Practical Magic as well as plans to republish the original.

Practical Magic was published in 1995 and adapted into a Hollywood film three years later starring Nicole Kidman and Sandra Bullock. The “sparkling” prequel, The Rules of Magic, features teenage sisters, Frances and Jet and their brother Vincent in 1950’s New York. Frances and Jet appear in Practical Magic as aunts to Sally and Gillian.

Editorial director of fiction at S&S, Anne Perry, acquired UK and Commonwealth rights to both books. The deal was brokered by Sheila Crowley of Curtis Brown on behalf of Amanda Urban at ICM.

A S&S spokesperson said: “From the beginning their mother, Susanna, knew they were unique...[She] sets rules to keep them safe from magic but the Owen siblings want to uncover their identities and each heads down a “life- altering course, filled with secrets and truths, devastation and joy, and magic and love”.

The Rules of Magic will be published in hardback on 2nd November priced £16.99.

To coincide with its release, S&S will “repackage and republish” Practical Magic which focuses on the Owen siblings’ nieces who live in small New England town and are shunned by its inhabitants.

Perry said: "Practical Magic is beloved of readers around the world and I’m delighted that we will be publishing a gorgeous new edition, with a beautiful new cover, alongside Alice’s dazzling new novel, The Rules of Magic, which is, in fact, the prequel." 

The new paperback edition will be published on 19th October retailing at £8.99.