Released in July 2009, the book is divided into four sections dealing with The Castle, The Palace, The Wizard Tower and the other parts of the Septimus Heap world.

Septimus Heap: The Magykal Papers is a supplement to the series, which was published in July 2009 in full colour in a larger format, with illustrations by Mark Zug.

It tells about the background of how The Castle developed from a little village and how the Queen came to stay there and the arrival of the ExtraOrdinary Wizard.

It also includes Septimus' homeworks and its corrections by Marcia and a pamphlet by Alther Mella, on assisting recently turned ghosts in the afterlife.

Terry Miller Shannon from Kidsreads.com was impressed with the book and commented "The Magykal Papers, filled with tidbits of information, hilarious asides and a smidgeon of dragon poo (not to mention a list of 10 important rules to being dead), is truly irresistible, completely enjoyable, and most definitely 'magykal'.[...]