So you want to support In Universe Magic the Gathering Story
At MagicCon Atlanta 2025, it was announced that first time in years, we'll be receiving a new novel in the world of Magic the Gathering. This will be a Young Adult (YA) novel set in Strixhaven written by Seanan McGuire. Seanan McGuire has been writing MtG stories for years now including Duskmourn under the pen name, Mira Grant, fan favorite stories about Gisa and Geralf such as "Family Game Night", and the Hugo nominated story "Tangles".
People who have been into Magic the Gathering lore have often asked for more story. This is met by people involved in the process explaining that the best way to get this is to engage with the story directly. This means either reading the story directly off the MtG website or the audio recording on the MtG youtube channel is the best way to show for those working on the story show to higher ups that there is a demand and more budget be given for the story.
This novel is the result of the demand shown so far but more novels (YA or not) will depend on the success of this book. Below are some common questions you might have about how/why to support the book.
Why do pre-orders matter to publishers/Wizards of the Coast?
Pre-orders are added to the number of books sold in the first week which is used as a gauge for success and helps with getting on various best seller lists. This metric will probably also be important to WotC based on how sales will affect the green light for future novels.
The following is a comment by the author, Seanan McGuire, herself as seen on Reddit explaining how this novel is an experiment by WOTC.
I would like to support this novel, how do I pre-order?
The book is already listed on the publisher's webpage with links for pre-ordering from various retailers. You can also go to your local bookstore and pre-order it from them or even go through Bookshop.org and select a bookstore of your choice to support with your purchase. If you would like to be charged $20.99 closer to the release of February 17, 2026, Barnes and Noble charges you when it ships.
I do not have the extra funds/I would like to read the book to see if I like it. Is there another way to support?
There sure is! If you are in the United States, go to your local library and request that they order Strixhaven: Omens of Chaos.
If you prefer ebooks, you can request the title on Libby (it may take some time for it to show up. Currently looking up Seanan McGuire upcoming has the Monday, September 29th, release of her newest book so keep checking). The benefit of requesting the book on Libby, is that once it is available, you will get a notification that it is available. At that point you will be given the option to either check it out or place a hold.
This helps out sales because libraries across the country will be buying copies for their patrons. It can also be a way for you to read the book to see if you like it enough to buy it while still helping with that initial pre-order number that publishers like. Also if you like it, you can always let your friends know and they can also check out that same copy from the library. (BTW, not saying that libraries are only in the United States but that is the system I am familiar with and can give advice on)
As a Vorthos, I really love the lore of Magic the Gathering. These novels are ways for us to continue to get more lore and show that we do want more in universe stories. I will be pre-ordering this book myself and I really look forward to this release!
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