Brandon Sanderson

Brandon Sanderson, born on December 19, 1975, is an acclaimed American author renowned for his captivating works in the genres of fantasy and science fiction. Originally from Lincoln, Nebraska, Sanderson nurtured a love for writing at a young age. He pursued his passion by studying English at Brigham Young University, later earning a master's degree in creative writing. Sanderson is most recognized for creating the Cosmere, an expansive fictional universe that interconnects many of his fantasy novels, including the Mistborn series and The Stormlight Archive. The Mistborn trilogy, commencing with Mistborn: The Final Empire, offers a gripping fantasy heist narrative set in a dystopian world governed by a tyrannical ruler. The Stormlight Archive, beginning with The Way of Kings, is an extensive epic fantasy series that blends political intrigue, war, and intricate world-building. In addition to his Cosmere works, Sanderson completed Robert Jordan's epic fantasy series "The Wheel of Time" following Jordan's passing. He has also authored several young adult series such as The Reckoners and the Skyward series. Sanderson's methodical approach to world-building includes his "Sanderson's Laws of Magic," which differentiate between "hard" and "soft" magic systems in fantasy literature. His talent for creating immersive worlds and compelling characters has garnered him a devoted fan base and numerous accolades, including the Hugo Award in 2013 for his novella The Emperor's Soul, the Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Award for Elantris in 2005 and The Hero of Ages in 2008, as well as David Gemmell Legend Awards in 2011 for The Way of Kings and in 2015 for Words of Radiance. In 2022, Sanderson's Kickstarter campaign for four secret novels became the most successful in history, raising over $41 million. As of 2022, he is a co-creator and former host of the Writing Excuses podcast, an educational podcast for writers by writers that was started in 2008.