DEBUT NOVEL

W.W.W.O.M.

Witches, Wizards and Winks?…Oh, My!

Debut Novel by Mary Puma

MARY PUMA is an award-winning, Three-Time Emmy Nominated Producer for Public Television and a born storyteller. As a child, there was no such thing as a ‘commercial’ in Mary’s mind as she watched her most loved television sitcom reruns after school. The story was continuous as she would play out what was happening with the families in her mind during the commercial breaks. The Wizard of Oz was always one of the most powerful and impressionable tales for Mary as a child, and is the inspiration that moves her creativity and passion onto the page and into readers’ hearts.

Available in Trade Paperback

Witches, Wizards and Winks?…Oh, My! by Mary Puma, is the PG-13 version of the title–a creative and irresistibly entertaining novel where the Wicked Witch of the West, from The Wizard of Oz fame, shares her autobiography. Told from her point of view, her true story will enchant and captivate any Wizard of Oz fan, teenager, or adult, and will give insight and a broader understanding of her life and motivations. After reading, you may go so far as to say that this witch is a more sympathetic character than you first realized. So, the Wicked Witch of the West had decided that the best way to tell her story is by way of channeling authors – Mary being one of them.

Mary Puma expertly has this story working on different levels. First for Wizard of Oz fans, but also as an intriguing story of a woman trying to free herself from a curse and purgatory, and enjoy the freedom to live again. She explains how the world has misjudged her and doesn’t know the real witch inside, and she now has a chance to set the record straight and redeem herself. But prepare yourself for an unexpected, darker side of Oz. Once prepared, you will enjoy the trip. The author’s imagination takes the story into areas and ideas you may never have considered, but the results are refreshing, different, and funny at times. However, she warns that this is not a book for children. What I like is that the witch from the Oz we remember is back in all her grit and attitude. Witches, Wizards and Winks?…Oh, My!, is like visiting an old movie villainess you love to hate–except, in a funny way, this time around, you may end up liking her more than hating her.

— Tammy Ruggles for Readers Favorite

This book was very good but had a few issues, which I will touch on quickly for the potential reader.. The first chapter or two were a little difficult to get thru. Small issues aside, I truly enjoyed the main storyline, and found myself getting close to the end and wanting more. More story, more depth to the ending, more of Mary Puma’s writing. I actually got to the point where I was neck deep – about halfway through the book and simply unable to put it down – and realized I was going to be staying up all night reading again! I love feeling this way about a story, and was happy to find it with this particular story.
Mary Puma, please continue with your wonderful stories – I look forward to reading your prose again soon!

— Lawrence Forns / Goodreads

A truly engrossing tale told by the Wicked Witch of the West of her life- tragedy, love, family, duty, protection. Wonderfully told from the witches perspective. It makes you totally rethink ‘The Wizard of Oz’. In the witches version, there is no Scarecrow, Tin Man or Cowardly Lion however the characters are just as believable and the Witch is outstanding. It is a tale of love gone wrong and the sacrifices made to keep a family together. I have a new respect for the Wicked Witch of the West as well as the other characters I have loved since childhood from ‘The Wizard of Oz’. Mary Puma totally changes your thoughts and understanding of Baum’s tale when told from the perception of the witch. I couldn’t put it down- Lafew, Ella and the other characters are presented in delightfully rendition.

— Amanda / Goodreads

The original telling of The Wizard of Oz was made into one of the most famous and well-loved movies of … well, pretty much ever.
W.W.W.O.M. Witches, Wizards and Winks? …Oh, My! by Mary Puma is an unforgettable spin-off of Wizard of Oz, written from the Wicked Witch of the West’s point of view. An autobiography actually, using the author, Mary Puma, strictly as an empty writing vessel.
Be prepared to learn about an Oz you have never seen or heard about before, because, what we have here is a very creepy and gross darkside of Oz (factually, according to this book, the real name was Osandria)..
Also, apparently, The Wicked Witch of the West didn’t really die when Dorothy melted her to watery oblivion at the end of the rainbow. Nope, she was actually banished into purgatory. Cursed to be alone and rendered mute in Limbo for eternity.
However, the witch has been trying desperately for centuries to punch through to this world and get HER side out (aka the truth) about what really happened in Oz.
And oh, by the way, this version is NOT FOR CHILDREN to read.
And while the ‘truths’ told here of the family history of the witches of Oz were far darker than I could have ever imagined (but in a good way), I personally loved the raw wit and snark from the bitter witch and thought the authors choice of writing style brilliant.
I found WWWOM to be a cleverly devised retelling of one of the most well known and epic stories ever told
And, I have to say, having read this tragic, misery and heartache filled back story provided here by the Wicked Witch of the West, I will forever have a better understanding of her and I will never watch The Wizard of Oz the same way again.
I received this book in a GoodReads first-read giveaway in exchange for my honest review. Thank you Goodreads for offering the giveaway opportunity and also Mary Puma and Ravenshire Publishing for supplying the book.

— Lynne / Goodreads