Early Life and Education
Brandon Sanderson was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, and discovered his love for fantasy as a teenager after reading books like “Dragonsbane” and works by Robert Jordan. He studied biochemistry at Brigham Young University before switching to English literature, ultimately earning a master’s degree in creative writing. While attending BYU, he worked as a night desk clerk at a hotel—an experience that gave him quiet hours to write, leading to the completion of several early manuscripts. One of those, “Elantris,” became his first published novel in 2005.
Rise to Fame
After “Elantris,” Sanderson quickly followed up with the “Mistborn” trilogy, beginning with “Mistborn: The Final Empire” in 2006. The series introduced readers to a unique world where ash falls from the sky and magic is powered by ingesting metals. It was praised for its originality, well-defined rules of magic, and surprising plot twists. The trilogy established Sanderson as a fresh and formidable voice in modern fantasy. In 2007, Sanderson was approached by the widow of Robert Jordan to complete “The Wheel of Time” after Jordan’s death. Over the course of several years, Sanderson wrote the final three books in the series—“The Gathering Storm,” “Towers of Midnight,” and “A Memory of Light”—using Jordan’s notes and drafts. His work on the series introduced him to an even larger global audience and earned him the trust of fans protective of Jordan’s legacy.
The Cosmere and Other Works
At the core of Sanderson’s bibliography is the “Cosmere,” a shared universe where many of his fantasy novels—including “Mistborn,” “Elantris,” “Warbreaker,” and “The Stormlight Archive”—secretly connect through hidden characters, lore, and themes. This long-term vision has drawn comparisons to the Marvel Cinematic Universe for its scope and interlocking storytelling. “The Stormlight Archive,” beginning with “The Way of Kings” in 2010, has become his most ambitious and critically acclaimed series to date. Each installment has debuted as a bestseller and has expanded his fanbase considerably. Sanderson has also written young adult series like “Skyward” and “Alcatraz vs. the Evil Librarians,” and ventured into science fiction with titles like “Starsight.” His range and output are virtually unmatched in contemporary speculative fiction.
Personal Life and Legacy
Sanderson teaches creative writing at Brigham Young University and co-hosts the podcast “Writing Excuses.” He is known for his transparency with fans, sharing progress updates, lectures, and writing advice online. In 2022, he launched a record-breaking Kickstarter campaign to self-publish four secret novels he wrote in secret during the pandemic, raising over $40 million. A later Kickstarter raised $15 million. Brandon Sanderson’s influence on modern fantasy is profound. With his accessible style, inventive worlds, and sheer volume of high-quality work, he has reshaped genre expectations and inspired a new generation of writers and readers alike.
