Brandon Sanderson

born 1975

Brandon Sanderson (born December 19, 1975) is an American author known for his intricate and imaginative works in the genres of fantasy and science fiction. Born in Lincoln, Nebraska, Sanderson developed a passion for writing at a young age. He attended Brigham Young University, where he studied English and later earned a master's degree in creative writing.

Sanderson is best known for creating the Cosmere, a vast fictional universe that encompasses many of his fantasy novels, where they share subtle connections and a common mythology, including the Mistborn series and The Stormlight Archive. The Mistborn trilogy, starting with the novel Mistborn: The Final Empire, is a thrilling fantasy heist story set in a dystopian world ruled by a tyrannical lord. The Stormlight Archive, starting with the novel The Way of Kings, is an epic fantasy series that combines political intrigue, war, and extensive world-building.

In addition to his work within the Cosmere, Sanderson completed Robert Jordan's epic fantasy series "The Wheel of Time" after Jordan's passing. He has also authored several young adult series, such as The Reckoners and the Skyward series.

Sanderson's analytical approach to world-building includes his "Sanderson's Laws of Magic," which distinguish between "hard" and "soft" magic systems in fantasy literature. His ability to create immersive worlds and compelling characters has earned him a dedicated 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 his novels 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.

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Books