If you have even a slight interest in fantasy literature, you’ll find that Brandon Sanderson’s works are pretty much essential reading.

The prolific writer, known for producing lengthy novels with remarkable ease, has made a significant impact on the fantasy genre in recent years. Browse through the fantasy aisles of your local bookstore, and you’ll likely find entire displays dedicated to Sanderson’s titles (and expect those shelves to be nearly empty).

With series like “Mistborn” and his monumental collection known as “The Stormlight Archive,” Sanderson has created many books and several series, most of which are set in a universe he calls the “Cosmere.” Regardless of how many novels he releases, his ever-growing fanbase eagerly anticipates each new installment.

This vast collection of fans includes notable names such as NBA star Victor Wembanyama and actor Henry Cavill, and Sanderson boasts over 300,000 followers on social media.

It’s impressive considering Sanderson became well-known for finishing someone else’s series—he was chosen to complete the beloved “The Wheel of Time” after the passing of Robert Jordan.

Whether you’re already a fan or you’re new to Sanderson and his record-breaking Kickstarter projects, this is everything you need to understand about him, his literary contributions, and how he has become a leading figure in modern fantasy literature.

Key Details About Brandon Sanderson

At 48 years old, Sanderson authored 13 books before “Elantris” was purchased by Tor Books, marking his first fantasy novel in 2005.

While “Elantris” established him as a notable author in the fantasy realm, it was the subsequent “Mistborn” trilogy that propelled him to great heights. This series about Allomancers who harness metals for magical abilities has become a hallmark of his work and is often recommended for newcomers.

Sanderson also suggests starting with “Elantris,” especially for those who are new to the fantasy genre, as it showcases his talent for world-building and complex magic systems.

In 2007, Sanderson was selected by Robert Jordan’s widow to complete the concluding volumes of the iconic “Wheel of Time” series, which was adapted into a television series by Amazon Prime in 2021.

Sanderson is constantly juggling multiple projects. In 2022, he launched a Kickstarter that raised over $41 million for four secret novels, all planned as standalone titles under his publishing company, Dragonsteel Entertainment.

For fantasy enthusiasts, one series truly stands out: Sanderson’s “The Stormlight Archive.” Among content creators focused on fantasy on TikTok, this series is often hailed as one of the finest in modern fantasy literature.

On his website, Sanderson describes “Stormlight” as his “grand epic” and “most ambitious project.”

Overview of ‘The Stormlight Archive’

How do you summarize a series of 10 planned novels, each exceeding 1,000 pages?

Set on the enchanting planet Roshar, the series kicks off with “The Way of Kings,” published in 2010, and is a grand saga filled with a vast array of characters, political machinations, and warfare—all enriched by Sanderson’s trademark world-building, detailed magic systems, and rich lore.

So far, Sanderson has released four novels in the series along with two novellas, with the fifth book, “Wind and Truth,” scheduled to be released in December. The cover for this highly awaited book was recently revealed by Tor Books.

Brandon Sanderson describes this as “my best story” on his website, but he also notes that “It gets off to a slower start than the previous ones. There’s a lot happening, so it might feel a bit overwhelming initially. However, I assure you that the adventure is worth it.”

What is the Cosmere?

Many of Sanderson’s stories, including “Mistborn” and “The Stormlight Archive”, take place in a fantasy setting called the Cosmere.

It’s similar to the Marvel Cinematic Universe, where various heroes can interact across different films.

All the tales within the Cosmere are linked via a shared creation narrative. While this may lead to characters crossing over between series, Sanderson emphasizes that readers don’t need to be aware of these connections to enjoy each story.

Are any of Sanderson’s books being adapted for film or TV?

Despite Sanderson’s rising fame and acclaim, it’s surprising to note that none of his books have yet transitioned into movies or TV shows.

This doesn’t imply there hasn’t been interest.

On his website, Sanderson mentioned that he’s had previous agreements and options for adaptations, but none have come to fruition yet. Typically, these projects find themselves stuck in development and fail to progress.

As recently as 2020, Sanderson indicated he was drafting a screenplay for a “Mistborn” adaptation. However, by December 2023, he updated that the project’s development was currently on “pause.”

“I would be thrilled to eventually see one of my works adapted into a film, and I believe it will happen eventually,” Sanderson shared. “Yet, the journey of adapting a book into film or television is lengthy.”

Contributing: Jordan Culver