The Nightmare Before Christmas is getting a sequel in the form of a YA novel set after the 1993 film young adult novel written from the perspective of Sally. The Disney Publishing novel will be written by YA author Shea Ernshaw.

“This new book, written from the point of view of Sally, takes place shortly after the movie ends. It’s the yet-to-be-told love story of Sally and Jack. But it’s also a coming-of-age story for Sally, as we see her navigate her new royal title as the Pumpkin Queen of Halloween Town,”

Ernshaw explained in a Disney Q&A run by io9.

“[It] will hopefully give fans a long-awaited second dose of Sally, Jack, and all the familiar residents of Halloween Town, while introducing a new cast of grim, strange characters, that I hope readers will love.”

While the book uses Sally’s point of view and Ernshaw sees it as an opportunity to give Sally the same depth of character that Jack got in the film.

“One of the core themes in The Nightmare Before Christmas was Jack’s struggle to understand his identity,”

she says.

“He had grown tired of being the Pumpkin King, and in his longing for something more, he plotted to take over Christmas. In this book, I really wanted to explore Sally’s identity, and better understand not only who she is now that she’s fallen in love with Jack and taken on the role of the Pumpkin Queen, but also understand how her past has affected her present desires, doubts, and dreams.

What does a ragdoll truly want out of life? What is she afraid of? And how much is she willing to risk to save those she loves? As we will learn in the book, she’s willing to risk quite a lot. Sally is one of the most compelling, and also richly-layered characters I’ve ever written, and it’s an honor to get to tell her story.”

Ernshaw’s new chapter ‘The Nightmare Before Christmas’ story debuts in July 2022.

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