Magician of Oz and the Adultification of Oz!

When I set out to write Magician of Oz back in 2009, I had in mind a message of Love, family, friendship and the values they imply. These were the values I grew up with and I often found them within the pages of Oz.

Over the years, I have watched as Oz became something beyond what I believe L. Frank Baum, the author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900) and 13 other books about Oz, had in mind. His stories were meant for children. The language, settings and magical lands were geared towards a child's perspective. Oddly enough, it not only worked for children, but for most adults as well, at least during his time and the years following .

During the post-war era of the 50's-60's, the Wizard of Oz became an icon of television and thus was transformed into legend. Nonetheless, as attitudes and perceptions changed, so did Oz. The need to make Oz more appealing to adults (they're the ones who spend the money) grew in leaps and bounds and soon, Oz had zombies, hookers and Death.

I found this appalling and decided that I would return Oz to a more simplistic, idealized vision more in line with what L. Frank Baum had in mind. To date, with the publications of Magician of Oz, Shadow Demon of Oz and Family of Oz, I feel that I have succeeded in putting forth the message I had intended, although it took 3 books to complete that message. I had only intended 1 book, but the story demanded 2 additional books in order to be more clear and concise.

Now, I have nearly completed The Ozian Adventure of Pickleless & Blu, a spin-off of Family of Oz, and the message of Love, family and friendship continues on without the Adultification of Oz.

I personally believe that the Royal Historian of Oz, L. Frank Baum, would be pleased.

James C. Wallace II
Royal Liaison to Princess Ozma