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In October 2011, he finished a novella ebook, '']'', based on the ] ] ] '']'' developed by ] and ].<ref name="infinity">{{cite web |url=http://kotaku.com/5679808/the-first-epic-iphone-game-is-now-infinity-blade |title=The First Epic iPhone Game Is Now 'Infinity Blade' |author=Michael McWhertor |date=November 2, 2010 |work=] |publisher=]}}</ref> A standalone sequel to the ''Mistborn'' trilogy, '']'', was published in November 2011, where it debuted at number seven on the ''New York Times'' bestseller list. In October 2011, he finished a novella ebook, '']'', based on the ] ] ] '']'' developed by ] and ].<ref name="infinity">{{cite web |url=http://kotaku.com/5679808/the-first-epic-iphone-game-is-now-infinity-blade |title=The First Epic iPhone Game Is Now 'Infinity Blade' |author=Michael McWhertor |date=November 2, 2010 |work=] |publisher=]}}</ref> A standalone sequel to the ''Mistborn'' trilogy, '']'', was published in November 2011, where it debuted at number seven on the ''New York Times'' bestseller list.


On August 31, 2012, Sanderson published a science fiction novella entitled '']''. Another short work, '']'', appeared in October 2012. A few months later, on January 8, 2013, '']'' was published, the final book in '']'' series.<ref name="Tor.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.tor.com/blogs/2012/02/the-release-date-for-a-memory-of-light-has-been-set#more|title=''The Release Date for A Memory of Light Has Been Set''|publisher=Tor.com|accessdate=February 17, 2012}}</ref> On May 14, 2013 Sanderson published the first in a new ] series, titled '']''. Another young adult book series began with publication of '']'' on September 24, 2013.<ref name="steelheart-announcement"/><ref name="gollancz steelheart announcement">{{cite web|url=http://www.gollancz.co.uk/2012/06/gollancz-buys-new-brandon-sanderson-series-steelheart/|title=Gollancz acquires new Brandon Sanderson series – STEELHEART is coming!|publisher=]|date=June 13, 2012|accessdate=July 9, 2012|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6921V8jSJ|archivedate=July 9, 2012}}</ref> '']'', the second book in the '']'', was published on March 4, 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.amazon.com/Words-Radiance-Stormlight-Archive-Book/dp/0765326361/ref=sr_1_1_title_1_har?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1394907797&sr=1-1&keywords=words+of+radiance+brandon+sanderson|title=Words of Radiance (The Stormlight Archive, Book 2) (Stormlight Archive, The)|publisher=Amazon.com|accessdate=December 19, 2014}}</ref> On August 31, 2012, Sanderson published a science fiction novella entitled '']''. Another short work, '']'', appeared in October 2012. A few months later, on January 8, 2013, '']'' was published, the final book in '']'' series.<ref name="Tor.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.tor.com/blogs/2012/02/the-release-date-for-a-memory-of-light-has-been-set#more|title=''The Release Date for A Memory of Light Has Been Set''|publisher=Tor.com|accessdate=February 17, 2012}}</ref> On May 14, 2013 Sanderson published the first in a new ] series, titled '']''. Another young adult book series began with publication of '']'' on September 24, 2013.<ref name="steelheart-announcement"/><ref name="gollancz steelheart announcement">{{cite web|url=http://www.gollancz.co.uk/2012/06/gollancz-buys-new-brandon-sanderson-series-steelheart/|title=Gollancz acquires new Brandon Sanderson series – STEELHEART is coming!|publisher=]|date=June 13, 2012|accessdate=July 9, 2012|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6921V8jSJ|archivedate=July 9, 2012}}</ref> '']'', the second book in the '']'', was published on March 4, 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.amazon.com/Words-Radiance-Stormlight-Archive-Book/dp/0765326361/ref=sr_1_1_title_1_har?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1394907797&sr=1-1&keywords=words+of+radiance+brandon+sanderson|title=Words of Radiance (The Stormlight Archive, Book 2) (Stormlight Archive, The)|publisher=Amazon.com|accessdate=December 19, 2014}}</ref> The second novella in the ''Legion'' series, '']'', was published in November 2014.


==Sanderson's Laws== ==Sanderson's Laws==
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Sanderson points out that magic does not take place in a vacuum, a good magic system should be interconnected with the world around it. It is related to the ecology, religion, economics, warfare, and politics of the world it inhabits. The job of the author is to think farther than the reader about the ramifications of the magic system. If magic can turn mud into diamonds, that has an effect on the value of diamonds. Sanderson states that readers of genre fiction are interested not just in the magic system but how the world and characters will be different because of the magic.<ref name=STL>{{cite web |url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GYbXmmUtDY&list=PL8YydnShI45i_D8D1Mn1suFcxuno0hBUL&index=7 |title=2013 Brandon Sanderson - Lecture 3: Limitations Are More Interesting (7/7) |author=Sanderson, Brandon |accessdate=August 3, 2013 }}</ref> Sanderson points out that magic does not take place in a vacuum, a good magic system should be interconnected with the world around it. It is related to the ecology, religion, economics, warfare, and politics of the world it inhabits. The job of the author is to think farther than the reader about the ramifications of the magic system. If magic can turn mud into diamonds, that has an effect on the value of diamonds. Sanderson states that readers of genre fiction are interested not just in the magic system but how the world and characters will be different because of the magic.<ref name=STL>{{cite web |url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GYbXmmUtDY&list=PL8YydnShI45i_D8D1Mn1suFcxuno0hBUL&index=7 |title=2013 Brandon Sanderson - Lecture 3: Limitations Are More Interesting (7/7) |author=Sanderson, Brandon |accessdate=August 3, 2013 }}</ref>


===The Cosmere=== ==The Cosmere==
The Cosmere is the name of the universe in which the majority of Brandon's books exist. This idea came from his desire to create an epic length series without requiring readers to buy a ridiculous amount of books. Because of that he hides connections to his other works within each book, creating this "hidden epic". In the end the Cosmere Cycle will include between 32-36 books.<ref>{{cite web|last=Thea|title=The Rithmatist: A Chat with Brandon Sanderson|url=http://thebooksmugglers.com/2013/05/the-rithmatist-a-chat-with-brandon-sanderson.html|publisher=The Book Smugglers|accessdate=21 September 2013}}</ref> The Cosmere is the name of the universe in which the majority of Brandon's books exist. This idea came from his desire to create an epic length series without requiring readers to buy a ridiculous amount of books. Because of that he hides connections to his other works within each book, creating this "hidden epic". In the end the Cosmere Cycle will include between 32-36 books.<ref>{{cite web|last=Thea|title=The Rithmatist: A Chat with Brandon Sanderson|url=http://thebooksmugglers.com/2013/05/the-rithmatist-a-chat-with-brandon-sanderson.html|publisher=The Book Smugglers|accessdate=21 September 2013}}</ref>


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==Bibliography== ==Bibliography==
⚫ ===Short works===
Series are listed alphabetically.
⚫ * ''The Hope of Elantris'' (2006) (short story)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://brandonsanderson.com/elantris-the-hope-of-elantris/|title=Brandon Sanderson: The Hope of Elantris|publisher=BrandonSanderson.com|accessdate=July 16, 2014}}</ref>
⚫ * ''Firstborn'' (2008) (short story)
⚫ * ''Defending Elysium'' (2008) (short story)
⚫ * '']'' (2011) (novella)
⚫ * '']'' (2012) (novella)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://brandonsanderson.com/book/The-Emperors-Soul|title=Brandon Sanderson: The Emperors Soul|publisher=BrandonSanderson.com|accessdate=July 29, 2013}}</ref>
⚫ * '']'' (2013) (novella)

⚫ ===Standalone works===
⚫ * '']'' (2005, ISBN 978-0-7653-5037-4)

⚫ ===Warbreaker series===
⚫ * '']'' (2009, ISBN 978-0-7653-2030-8)
⚫ * ''Nightblood'' (forthcoming)<ref name="dec 2014 newsletter"/>


===''Alcatraz'' series=== ===''Alcatraz'' series===
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* '']'' (2010, ISBN 978-0-439-92557-0) * '']'' (2010, ISBN 978-0-439-92557-0)
* Untitled fifth book (forthcoming, summer 2016)<ref name="dec 2014 newsletter"/> * Untitled fifth book (forthcoming, summer 2016)<ref name="dec 2014 newsletter"/>

⚫ ===''Dark One'' series===
The series is about a boy who learns he is destined to destroy the world. The series was announced in December 2014, but no information on number of volumes or release dates were included.<ref name="dec 2014 newsletter"/>

===''Dragonsteel'' series===
This series will tell the backstory of Hoid, a key figure in the Cosmere, the universe in which most of Sanderson's stories are set.<ref name="dec 2014 newsletter"/>

===''Elantris'' series===
These works are set on Sel,<ref name="dec 2014 newsletter"/> the world of ''Elantris''.
⚫ * '']'' (2005, ISBN 978-0-7653-5037-4)
⚫ * ''The Hope of Elantris'' (2006) (short story)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://brandonsanderson.com/elantris-the-hope-of-elantris/|title=Brandon Sanderson: The Hope of Elantris|publisher=BrandonSanderson.com|accessdate=July 16, 2014}}</ref>
⚫ * '']'' (2012) (novella)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://brandonsanderson.com/book/The-Emperors-Soul|title=Brandon Sanderson: The Emperors Soul|publisher=BrandonSanderson.com|accessdate=July 29, 2013}}</ref>
* Untitled sequels (forthcoming)<ref name="dec 2014 newsletter"/>


===''Legion'' series=== ===''Legion'' series===
* '']'' (2012) * '']'' (2012)
* '']'' (2014) * '']'' (2014)
* Untitled third story (forthcoming)<ref name="dec 2014 newsletter">{{cite web|url=http://brandonsanderson.com/state-of-the-sanderson-december-2014/|title= * Untitled III (forthcoming)<ref name="dec 2014 newsletter">{{cite web|url=http://brandonsanderson.com/state-of-the-sanderson-december-2014/|title=
State of the Sanderson: December 2014|date=December 18, 2014|accessdate=December 18, 2014|first=Brandon|last=Sanderson|publisher=Dragonsteel Entertainment}}</ref> State of the Sanderson: December 2014|date=December 18, 2014|accessdate=December 18, 2014|first=Brandon|last=Sanderson|publisher=Dragonsteel Entertainment}}</ref>


===''Mistborn'' series=== ===''Mistborn'' series===
In addition to the original trilogy and the ''Wax and Wayne'' series, there are at least two other trilogies planned in the ''Mistborn'' series.<ref name="dec 2014 newsletter"/>
{{main|Mistborn series}} {{main|Mistborn series}}


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====''Wax and Wayne'' series==== ====''Wax and Wayne'' series====
''Alloy of Law'' is a standalone work, and the other three books are a trilogy.<ref name="dec 2014 newsletter"/>
* '']'' (2011, ISBN 978-0-7653-3042-0) * '']'' (2011, ISBN 978-0-7653-3042-0)
* '']'' (forthcoming, October 2015)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mistborn-Shadows-Self-Brandon-Sanderson/dp/1473208211/|title=Mistborn: Shadows of Self|publisher=Amazon.com|accessdate=December 19, 2014}}</ref><ref name="dec 2014 newsletter"/> * '']'' (forthcoming, October 2015)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mistborn-Shadows-Self-Brandon-Sanderson/dp/1473208211/|title=Mistborn: Shadows of Self|publisher=Amazon.com|accessdate=December 19, 2014}}</ref><ref name="dec 2014 newsletter"/>
* '']'' (forthcoming, January 2016)<ref name="tor alloy sequels">{{cite web|url=http://www.tor.com/blogs/2013/10/tor-acquires-two-more-mistborn-novels-from-brandon-sanderson|title=Tor Acquires Two More Mistborn Novels from Brandon Sanderson|publisher=Tor|accessdate=2013-10-29}}</ref><ref name="dec 2014 newsletter"/> * ''Mistborn: Bands of Mourning'' (forthcoming, January 2016)<ref name="tor alloy sequels">{{cite web|url=http://www.tor.com/blogs/2013/10/tor-acquires-two-more-mistborn-novels-from-brandon-sanderson|title=Tor Acquires Two More Mistborn Novels from Brandon Sanderson|publisher=Tor|accessdate=2013-10-29}}</ref><ref name="dec 2014 newsletter"/>
* ''The Lost Metal'' (working title, forthcoming)<ref name="dec 2014 newsletter"/> * ''The Lost Metal'' (working title, forthcoming)<ref name="dec 2014 newsletter"/>


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* ''Stones Unhallowed''<!-- Do not change this title without a valid reference from a reliable source (author or publisher statement - Goodreads is not a reliable source)--> (working title, forthcoming, 2016)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tor.com/blogs/2014/07/brandon-sanderson-reads-first-chapter-of-stormlight-archive-book-3|title=Brandon Sanderson Reads First Chapter From Stormlight Archive Book 3!|author=Stubby the Rocket|publisher=Tor.com|accessdate=December 19, 2014|date=July 8, 2014}}</ref> * ''Stones Unhallowed''<!-- Do not change this title without a valid reference from a reliable source (author or publisher statement - Goodreads is not a reliable source)--> (working title, forthcoming, 2016)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tor.com/blogs/2014/07/brandon-sanderson-reads-first-chapter-of-stormlight-archive-book-3|title=Brandon Sanderson Reads First Chapter From Stormlight Archive Book 3!|author=Stubby the Rocket|publisher=Tor.com|accessdate=December 19, 2014|date=July 8, 2014}}</ref>


===''Warbreaker'' series=== ===''The Wheel of Time''===
⚫ * '']'' (2009, ISBN 978-0-7653-2030-8)
⚫ * ''Nightblood'' (forthcoming)<ref name="dec 2014 newsletter"/>

⚫ ===Short works===
⚫ * ''Firstborn'' (2008) (short story)
⚫ * ''Defending Elysium'' (2008) (short story)
⚫ * '']'' (2011) (novella)
⚫ * '']'' (2013) (novella)
* ''Silence Divine'' (working title, forthcoming) (novella)<ref name="dec 2014 newsletter"/>
* ''Adamant'' (working title, forthcoming) (novella)<ref name="dec 2014 newsletter"/>

⚫ ===Collaborative works===
====''The Wheel of Time''====
{{main|The Wheel of Time}} {{main|The Wheel of Time}}
The books below are the final books of the ] series originally written by ], who died before being able to finish his series. Sanderson was chosen by the widow (who was also the editor) of the original author to finish the series according to the notes left behind by her husband. Sanderson has the same publisher for most of his works (Tor) as the ''Wheel of Time'' series.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865569957/Utah-author-Brandon-Sanderson-set-to-release-final-installment-of-much-loved-Wheel-of-Time-series.html?pg=all|title=Utah author Brandon Sanderson set to release final installment of much-loved Wheel of Time series|last=Jones|first=Alexis|publisher=Deseret News|date=January 6, 2013}}</ref> The books below are the final books of the ] series originally written by ], who died before being able to finish his series. Sanderson was chosen by the widow (who was also the editor) of the original author to finish the series according to the notes left behind by her husband. Sanderson has the same publisher for most of his works (Tor) as the ''Wheel of Time'' series.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865569957/Utah-author-Brandon-Sanderson-set-to-release-final-installment-of-much-loved-Wheel-of-Time-series.html?pg=all|title=Utah author Brandon Sanderson set to release final installment of much-loved Wheel of Time series|last=Jones|first=Alexis|publisher=Deseret News|date=January 6, 2013}}</ref>
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* '']'' (2013, ISBN 978-0-7653-2595-2) * '']'' (2013, ISBN 978-0-7653-2595-2)


==== ''White Sand'' graphic novels series ==== === ''White Sand'' graphic novels series ===
⚫ * ''White Sand'' #1 (forthcoming, 2015)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://brandonsanderson.com/hugo-voter-packet-with-the-wheel-of-time-convention-deadlines-white-sand-graphic-novels/|title=Hugo Voter Packet with The Wheel of Time, Convention Deadlines, White Sand Graphic Novels|date=May 30, 2014|first=Brandon|last=Sanderson|accessdate=December 19, 2014|publisher=Dragonsteel Entertainment}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tor.com/blogs/2014/06/new-white-sand-graphic-novels-by-brandon-sanderson-coming-2015|title=New White Sand Graphic Novels by Brandon Sanderson Coming in 2015|publisher=Tor.com|author=Stubby the Rocket|date=June 2, 2014|accessdate=December 19, 2014}}</ref>
The artist and writer for the series have not yet been announced.
⚫ * ''White Sand'' #1 (untitled first comic, 2015)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://brandonsanderson.com/hugo-voter-packet-with-the-wheel-of-time-convention-deadlines-white-sand-graphic-novels/|title=Hugo Voter Packet with The Wheel of Time, Convention Deadlines, White Sand Graphic Novels|date=May 30, 2014|first=Brandon|last=Sanderson|accessdate=December 19, 2014|publisher=Dragonsteel Entertainment}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tor.com/blogs/2014/06/new-white-sand-graphic-novels-by-brandon-sanderson-coming-2015|title=New White Sand Graphic Novels by Brandon Sanderson Coming in 2015|publisher=Tor.com|author=Stubby the Rocket|date=June 2, 2014|accessdate=December 19, 2014}}</ref>


===Anthologies=== ===Anthologies===

Revision as of 10:44, 20 December 2014

Brandon Sanderson
Brandon Sanderson signing.Brandon Sanderson signing.
Born (1975-12-19) December 19, 1975 (age 49)
Lincoln, Nebraska, U.S.
OccupationWriter, creative writing instructor
NationalityAmerican
Alma materBrigham Young University (B.A., M.A.)
Period2005–present
GenreFantasy, science fiction
Notable worksElantris
Mistborn series
The Stormlight Archive series
Warbreaker
final three books in The Wheel of Time series
Website
brandonsanderson.com

Brandon Sanderson (born December 19, 1975) is an American writer. He is best known for his Mistborn series and his work in finishing Robert Jordan's epic fantasy series The Wheel of Time. In 2010, Sanderson published The Way of Kings, the first book in a ten book series called The Stormlight Archive.

Sanderson worked as an editor for the semi-professional magazine Leading Edge while attending school at Brigham Young University, where he now periodically teaches creative writing. In 2008 Sanderson started a podcast with authors Dan Wells and Howard Tayler called Writing Excuses, involving topics about creating and producing genre writing and webcomics.

Early life

Sanderson was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, and currently resides in American Fork, Utah. He earned his Master's degree in Creative Writing in 2005 from Brigham Young University, where he was on the staff of Leading Edge, a semi-professional speculative fiction magazine published by the university. He was a college roommate of Jeopardy! champion Ken Jennings.

Personal life

Sanderson was married to Emily Bushman on July 7, 2006. Emily is also Sanderson's business manager. They have three children. He is a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served as a missionary in Seoul, Korea. He currently teaches creative writing at Brigham Young University, in addition to working on his own writing.

He is a participant in the weekly podcast Writing Excuses with authors Dan Wells, Mary Robinette Kowal, and web cartoonist Howard Tayler.

Career

Sanderson's first novel, Elantris, was published by Tor Books on April 21, 2005, to generally positive reviews. This was followed in 2006 by The Final Empire, the first book in his Mistborn fantasy trilogy, where "allomancers" — people who have the ability to ‘burn’ various metals and alloys after ingesting them — can enhance senses and allow control over powerful supernatural forces. He followed up in 2007 with a sequel, The Well of Ascension.

Sanderson then published the children's novel Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians, about a boy named Alcatraz with a unique gift: he’s very good at breaking things. He also confronts a group of evil librarians who are bent on taking over the world. In 2008 The Hero of Ages was published, followed by an Alcatraz sequel named Alcatraz Versus the Scrivener's Bones.

In 2009 Tor Books published Warbreaker, which originally appeared serially on Sanderson’s website while he was writing the novel from 2006 to 2009. The same year a third Alcatraz book followed, titled Alcatraz Versus the Knights of Crystallia.

After Robert Jordan’s death in September 2007, Sanderson was selected by Jordon's widow Harriet McDougal to complete the final book in Jordan’s epic fantasy series The Wheel of Time. McDougal asked him to finish the series after she was deeply impressed by his first Mistborn novel. Tor Books made the announcement on December 7, 2007. After reviewing what was necessary to complete the series, Sanderson and Tor announced on March 30, 2009, that a final three books would be published instead of just one. The first of these, The Gathering Storm, was published on October 27, 2009, and reached the number-one spot on the New York Times bestseller list for hardcover fiction.

In 2010 Sanderson published the first novel, titled The Way of Kings, in a planned ten-book series called The Stormlight Archive. It achieved the number seven slot on the New York Times hardcover fiction bestseller list. Towers of Midnight, the second-to-last Wheel of Time book, was published just over a year after The Gathering Storm on November 2, 2010, also debuting at number one on the bestseller list. The fourth Alcatraz novel, Alcatraz Versus the Shattered Lens, was published a month later on December 1.

In October 2011, he finished a novella ebook, Infinity Blade: Awakening, based on the action role-playing iOS video game Infinity Blade developed by Chair Entertainment and Epic Games. A standalone sequel to the Mistborn trilogy, Mistborn: The Alloy of Law, was published in November 2011, where it debuted at number seven on the New York Times bestseller list.

On August 31, 2012, Sanderson published a science fiction novella entitled Legion. Another short work, The Emperor's Soul, appeared in October 2012. A few months later, on January 8, 2013, A Memory of Light was published, the final book in The Wheel of Time series. On May 14, 2013 Sanderson published the first in a new young adult series, titled The Rithmatist. Another young adult book series began with publication of Steelheart on September 24, 2013. Words of Radiance, the second book in the Stormlight Archive, was published on March 4, 2014. The second novella in the Legion series, Legion: Skin Deep, was published in November 2014.

Sanderson's Laws

Sanderson's First Law

"An author's ability to solve conflict satisfactorily with magic is directly proportional to how well the reader understands said magic."

While originally created as a rule for magic systems in fantasy novels, Sanderson has specified that this law need not apply just to fantasy, but is also applicable to science fiction. This Law was originally defined in Sanderson's online essay "Sanderson's First Law". In the essay he qualifies the two extremes of design as being:

Hard Magic
Magic/technology has well defined rules that the audience understands. As a result, one can use this to solve conflict more easily as the capabilities are cleanly defined. Sanderson classifies this as "Hard Magic". C.L. Wilson in her essay "Worldbuilding 101 - Making Magic" advocated this method of creation, stating, "...create your rules, then follow them."
Soft Magic
Magic/technology has unclear or vague rules, or none at all. This allows for a greater sense of wonder to be attained for the reader, but the ability to solve problems without resorting to deus ex machina decreases. Sanderson classifies this as "Soft Magic". Lawrence Watt-Evans specifically advised "The trick is to be a benevolent and consistent deity, not one who pulls miracles out of a hat as needed"

Sanderson's Second Law

"Limitations > Powers"

Or in other words, a character's weaknesses are more interesting than his or her abilities. It was initially set down in Episode 14 of the podcast Writing Excuses.

John Brown, likewise looked to Sanderson's work in his own essay involving magic systems, noting "What are the ramifications and conflicts of using it?" Patricia Wrede likewise noted several issues on this topic ranging from magic suppressing other technologies, to how a magic might affect farming.

In explaining the second law, Sanderson references the magic system of Superman, claiming that Superman's powers are not what make him interesting, but his limits, specifically his vulnerability to kryptonite and the code of ethics he received from his parents.

Sanderson's Third Law

"Expand what you already have before you add something new."

The Third Law implies that the writer should go deeper with worldbuilding before going wider.

Sanderson points out that magic does not take place in a vacuum, a good magic system should be interconnected with the world around it. It is related to the ecology, religion, economics, warfare, and politics of the world it inhabits. The job of the author is to think farther than the reader about the ramifications of the magic system. If magic can turn mud into diamonds, that has an effect on the value of diamonds. Sanderson states that readers of genre fiction are interested not just in the magic system but how the world and characters will be different because of the magic.

The Cosmere

The Cosmere is the name of the universe in which the majority of Brandon's books exist. This idea came from his desire to create an epic length series without requiring readers to buy a ridiculous amount of books. Because of that he hides connections to his other works within each book, creating this "hidden epic". In the end the Cosmere Cycle will include between 32-36 books.

The story of the Cosmere is about a mysterious being called Adonalsium, who existed on a world known as Yolen. Something made Adonalsium shatter into sixteen different Shards, of which each bears immense power. The sixteen people who took these Shards created new worlds, populating them with people and different types of magic. However, each Shard has an Intent, such as Ruin or Honor, and they became molded to it. A man named Hoid travels these so-called Shardworlds, interfering with the people of those worlds when they become heroes and come in contact with the Shards.

Bibliography

Short works

Standalone works

Warbreaker series

  • Warbreaker (2009, ISBN 978-0-7653-2030-8)
  • Nightblood (forthcoming)

Alcatraz series

Legion series

Mistborn series

Main article: Mistborn series

Original trilogy

Wax and Wayne series

Reckoners series

Main article: Reckoners series

A short story titled Mitosis was released in 2013 and takes places between the first and second book.

Rithmatist series

Main article: Rithmatist series

The Stormlight Archive

Main article: The Stormlight Archive

The Wheel of Time

Main article: The Wheel of Time

The books below are the final books of the Wheel of Time series originally written by Robert Jordan, who died before being able to finish his series. Sanderson was chosen by the widow (who was also the editor) of the original author to finish the series according to the notes left behind by her husband. Sanderson has the same publisher for most of his works (Tor) as the Wheel of Time series.

White Sand graphic novels series

  • White Sand #1 (forthcoming, 2015)

Anthologies

  • Heuristic Algorithm and Reasoning Response Engine (Armored) (short story) (2012)
  • River of Souls (Unfettered) (short story) (2013)
  • Shadows for Silence in the Forests of Hell (Dangerous Women) (short story) (2013)
  • Dreamer (Games Creatures Play) (short story) (2014)
  • Sixth of the Dusk (Shadows Beneath) (novella) (2014)

Selected awards and honors

Sanderson has been nominated for and also won multiple awards for his various works. See Writing Excuses for additional awards and nominations.

Year Organization Award title,
Category 		Work Result Refs
2005 Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Best Book Award,
Best Epic Fantasy Novel Award 		Elantris Won
2006 World Science Fiction Convention John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer -- Nominated
Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Best Book Award,
Best Epic Fantasy Novel Award 		Mistborn Nominated
2007 World Science Fiction Convention John W. Campbell Award for Best New Writer -- Nominated
Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Best Book Award,
Best Epic Fantasy Novel Award 		The Well of Ascension Nominated
Polytechnic University of Catalonia UPC Science Fiction Award Defending Elysium Won
LDStorymakers Whitney Awards,
Best Speculative Fiction 		The Well of Ascension Nominated
Whitney Awards,
Best Youth Fiction 		Alcatraz Versus the Evil Librarians Nominated
2008 Romantic Times Reviewers' Choice Best Book Award,
Best Epic Fantasy Novel Award 		The Hero of Ages Won
LDStorymakers Whitney Awards,
Best Speculative Fiction Award 		The Hero of Ages Won
2009 LDStorymakers Whitney Awards,
Best Speculative Fiction 		Warbreaker Nominated
2010 LDStorymakers Whitney Awards,
Best Speculative Fiction Award 		The Way of Kings Won
LDStorymakers Whitney Awards,
Best Novel of the Year Award 		The Way of Kings Won
2011 DGLA David Gemmell Legend Award The Way of Kings Won
LDStorymakers Whitney Awards,
Best Speculative Fiction Award 		The Alloy of Law Won
2013 World Science Fiction Society Hugo Award,
Best Novella 		The Emperor's Soul Won
World Fantasy Convention World Fantasy Award,
Best Novella 		The Emperor's Soul Nominated

See also

Notes

1. In the essay, Sanderson clarifies, "Most writers are somewhere in the middle between these two extremes."
2. From the same episode, this law is also called Tayler's First Law. "If the energy you are getting from your magic is cheaper than letting a donkey do it, your medieval economy just fell apart."

References

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External links

Works by Brandon Sanderson
Alcatraz series
Cosmere
Elantris
Mistborn
Era 1
Era 2
Games
The Stormlight Archive
Secret Project
Warbreaker series
Collections
Graphic novels
The Wheel of Time
Skyward / Cytoverse
  • Skyward (2018)
  • Starsight (2019)
  • Cytonic (2021)
  • Defiant (2023)
  • Skyward Flight (with Janci Patterson)
    • Sunreach (2021)
    • ReDawn (2021)
    • Evershore (2021)
Others
The Wheel of Time
written by Robert Jordan and completed by Brandon Sanderson
Novels
Companion publications
Related
The Wheel of Time
written by Robert Jordan and completed by Brandon Sanderson
Novels
Companion publications
Related

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