By: Johnathon A. Froman

Brandon Sanderson is a renowned American writer. He was born in Lincoln, Nebraska on December 19th, 1975. Sanderson is the creator behind many great series including the Mistborn and the Reckoners series and is the winner of numerous literary awards. Brandon’s impact on literature has influenced the minds of many writers throughout the entire world.

Sanderson wasn’t always planning on becoming a writer. As a child, Sanderson enjoyed reading. However as time passed, he became less and less interested by the books suggested to him by others and by the time he reached junior high, Sanderson couldn’t bother to even pick up a book. This all changed one day when his english teacher gave him a copy of a book titled Dragonsbane by Barbara Hambly. After this, Sanderson revitalized a love for books and discovered many other authors, including Robert Jordan. He was so inspired by authors that he attempted to produce his own work. Sanderson stated that these early attempts were absolutely dreadful. This did not stop Sanderson and he persevered in developing his new-found passion.

In 1994, Sanderson enrolled at Brigham Young University. Starting out working for a biochemistry major until later he went on a mission for two years in Seoul, Korea. Upon his return, Sanderson stated he had realized how much he had missed writing. Changing to become an English major, Sanderson completed his education and earned a master’s degree in creative writing in 2004. Later Sanderson was offered to teach back at his old university and he accepted, saying he enjoyed teaching aspiring writers. He continues to teach a small class of creative writing to this day.

During his time in college, Sanderson took a job as a night clerk. He chose this specific job because it allowed him to write during the working hours in addition to pay for his schooling. In total, he wrote seven full novels. A year before he graduated, Sanderson was contacted by the publishing agency Tor, about a manuscript he sent to them a year and a half ago. Since he had already given up on hearing from them about the manuscript, Sanderson was exceptionally pleased to hear that they were interested in publishing his novel. Two years later, Sanderson held up the first copy of the published Elantris novel. This would begin a history of many publishments by Tor of Sanderson’s novels including the widely acclaimed Mistborn trilogy.

Sanderson’s books received positive feedback. Sanderson could bring characters to life and readers around the world eagerly waited upon each new title published. Sanderson’s skills as a writer reached a new level when he was chosen to finish The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan when Jordan unfortunately died of cardiac amyloidosis. After being chosen by Jordan’s wife and editor, she worked with Sanderson and with Jordan’s notes on the remaining books to write three massive novels to put a fitting end to The Wheel of Time.

Sanderson continues to write novel after novel and currently is undertaking a massive undertaking he calls The Cosmere. In this project, Sanderson plans to write about 32 to 36 books that all take place in one universe, and you can find connections between them all. The books themselves are divided into different series such as the Mistborn and Warbreaker series. Only a few books of the Cosmere project have been released and the only connections you can find are small easter eggs, but Sanderson promises his readers to delve deeply into the mythology of the Cosmere with future series. Be on the lookout for the planned Stormlight Archives and the Mistborn Trilogies II and III.