Brandon Sanderson

Brandon Sanderson is an American author celebrated for his masterful contributions to high fantasy and science fiction. His imaginative storytelling has captivated readers worldwide, establishing him as a prominent voice in modern speculative fiction. Sanderson's career took a significant turn when he was chosen to complete Robert Jordan's epic The Wheel of Time series, a task that showcased his ability to navigate complex, established universes. He has since built his own expansive fictional universe, the "Cosmere," which serves as the setting for many of his most popular works.

Among his standout creations within the Cosmere are the Mistborn series, known for its unique magic system based on metals, and The Stormlight Archive, an ambitious epic fantasy saga featuring intricate worldbuilding and compelling characters. Beyond this shared universe, Sanderson has penned engaging young adult series like The Reckoners, a post-apocalyptic tale of ordinary people fighting superpowered villains, and the futuristic Skyward series. He has also explored the fantasy genre through graphic novels such as White Sand and Dark One.

Sanderson's prolific output, with over 70 books to his name as of 2023, has consistently landed on the New York Times best seller list. He is also recognized for formalizing concepts like "hard magic" and "soft magic" systems through his popular Writing Excuses podcast. In a remarkable display of fan support, a March 2022 Kickstarter campaign for self-published novels raised over $41 million. Further cementing his influence, Apple TV acquired the film and television rights to his entire Cosmere universe in early 2026, granting him significant creative oversight. [edit]

Brandon Winn Sanderson was born on December 19, 1975, in Lincoln, Nebraska. Growing up in the Midwest, he developed an early love for reading, devouring fantasy novels by authors like Robert Jordan and Terry Brooks. His parents encouraged his imagination, but Sanderson did not initially pursue writing seriously. He attended Brigham Young University (BYU) as an undergraduate, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Creative Writing in 1997. During his time at BYU, he wrote several unpublished novels and honed his craft through workshops.

After college, Sanderson worked a series of odd jobs, including as a front desk clerk at a hotel, while continuing to write. He submitted manuscripts to publishers for years, facing repeated rejections. His first break came when Tor Books accepted his novel Elantris, which was published in 2005. The book was well-received, but Sanderson's big opportunity arrived when he was selected by the widow of Robert Jordan to complete the final volumes of The Wheel of Time after Jordan's death in 2007. This task, which began in 2009, catapulted him into the spotlight and introduced his work to a massive existing fanbase. He later earned a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing from Southern New Hampshire University. [edit]

Sanderson's completion of The Wheel of Time series, beginning with The Gathering Storm in 2009 and ending with A Memory of Light in 2013, earned him widespread acclaim for his ability to honor Jordan's legacy while injecting his own style. Meanwhile, his original Cosmere universe grew rapidly. The Mistborn trilogy (2006-2008) was followed by a second era of novels starting with The Alloy of Law in 2011. The Stormlight Archive launched with The Way of Kings in 2010, and each subsequent installment, Words of Radiance (2014), Oathbringer (2017), and Rhythm of War (2020), debuted at number one on the New York Times bestseller list.

Sanderson expanded into young adult fiction with The Reckoners series (2013-2016) and the Skyward series (2018 onward). In 2022, he launched a record-breaking Kickstarter campaign for four self-published novels, raising over $41 million and becoming the most-funded Kickstarter in history. In 2026, Apple TV secured the film and television rights to the entire Cosmere, with Sanderson retaining creative control. He continues to write multiple books simultaneously, maintaining a rigorous publishing schedule. [edit]

Sanderson is known for his approachable and enthusiastic public persona, often engaging directly with fans through social media, Reddit AMAs, and his YouTube channel. He is admired for his transparency about the writing process and his willingness to teach through his podcast and lectures. His fans, often called the "Sanderfan" community, are notably dedicated and organized, as shown by the Kickstarter success. Sanderson's aesthetic is that of a thoughtful, hardworking author who values craft over hype. He is credited with popularizing the concept of "hard magic" systems, which have influenced a generation of fantasy writers. [edit]

Ask a Sanderfan to explain the fandom, and you'll hear about the Kickstarter that broke the internet. In March 2022, Brandon Sanderson secretly wrote four novels during lockdown, then launched a campaign to publish them. It hit its $1 million goal in under an hour and raised over $41.7 million, becoming the most successful Kickstarter ever. That's not just a fundraising record; it's a cultural statement, proof that an author could bypass traditional publishing and go straight to readers, who responded with unprecedented enthusiasm. The fanbase, often called "Sanderfans," is a formidable community, organized across Reddit, Discord, and the annual Dragonsteel Convention, where thousands gather in Salt Lake City. They've raised tens of thousands for charity and coined terms like "Sanderlanche" for the explosive finales of his books.

While Sanderson's fame is undeniable, iFANN's Global Fame Engine has evaluated him, but he currently does not hold a placement in the published rankings, neither the Global Top 1,000 nor any Top-100 scope list. This is not a slight; it's a reflection of the engine's methodology, which tracks global fame signals across media and search. Sanderson's influence is immense within fantasy literature, but his fame remains more niche compared to global icons. As the engine continues to update, his placement could change, but for now, he stands as a titan of genre fiction whose fandom's power was proven in record-breaking fashion.[edit]

Sanderson is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served a two-year mission in South Korea. He co-hosts the podcast Writing Excuses with authors Mary Robinette Kowal, Dan Wells, and Howard Tayler. He is known for his "Sanderson's Laws of Magic," a set of guidelines for creating magic systems. His favorite metal in allomancy is steel. He has a cameo in the video game Fortnite as a character called "The Sanderson." He owns a rare first edition of The Lord of the Rings signed by J.R.R. Tolkien.

One of the most retold legends is the "Secret Project" Kickstarter of 2022, where Sanderson kept four novels hidden from his own publisher and editor for over a year, then raised $41.7 million in a month, a story fans still recount with awe. Another favorite is the "Sanderlanche," a fan-coined term for the relentless, climactic final hundred pages of his novels, which has become a badge of honor for readers who survive the emotional whirlwind.[edit]

Sanderson married Emily Sanderson, whom he met at Brigham Young University. The couple has several children and resides in Utah. Sanderson has spoken about how his family supports his writing schedule, and he often dedicates his books to them. His parents were supportive of his creative ambitions from an early age. He has not publicly shared the names of his siblings or children, preferring to keep their lives private. [edit]

Sanderson is closely associated with Robert Jordan, whose The Wheel of Time series he completed. He also collaborates with fellow authors on the Writing Excuses podcast, including Mary Robinette Kowal, Dan Wells, and Howard Tayler. His editor at Tor Books, Moshe Feder, has been instrumental in his career. [edit]

Sanderson married Emily Sanderson, whom he met while attending Brigham Young University. The couple has been together for many years and has several children. Sanderson rarely discusses his marriage in public, but he has occasionally mentioned Emily's support for his writing career. As of 2026, they remain married and reside in Utah. [edit]

As of 2026, iFANN currently estimates Brandon Sanderson's net worth at $12 million. His primary income comes from book sales, with over 70 published titles consistently appearing on bestseller lists. The record-breaking Kickstarter campaign in 2022, which raised $41 million, provided a significant financial boost. Sanderson also earns from speaking engagements, his Writing Excuses podcast, and the sale of film and television rights; the 2026 Apple TV deal for the Cosmere universe is expected to substantially increase his wealth. He lives in Utah with his family and maintains a modest public profile relative to his success.[edit]

Sanderson has won numerous awards, including the Hugo Award for Best Novella for The Emperor's Soul (2013) and the Audie Award for Best Fantasy for The Way of Kings (2011). He has also received multiple Whitney Awards for his novels, recognizing excellence in LDS fiction. [edit]