Brandon Sanderson

Full Name: Brandon Winn Sanderson

Date of Birth: December 19, 1975

Place of Birth: Lincoln, Nebraska, USA

Nationality: American

Profession: Author, Educator, Podcaster

Early Life and Education

Brandon Sanderson was born and raised in Lincoln, Nebraska. During his junior high years, he lost interest in reading until an astute eighth-grade teacher, Mrs. Reader, introduced him to fantasy novels, rekindling his passion for literature. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0} After graduating from high school in 1994, he enrolled at Brigham Young University (BYU) as a biochemistry major. He took a two-year leave of absence from 1995 to 1997 to serve as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in South Korea. Upon returning, he changed his major to English literature, earning a Bachelor of Arts in 2000 and a Master of Arts in English with an emphasis in creative writing in 2004. During his time at BYU, Sanderson was on the staff of Leading Edge, a semi-professional speculative fiction magazine published by the university, and served as its editor-in-chief for one year.

Career

Sanderson is best known for his work in the high fantasy genre, particularly the Cosmere universe, which encompasses series such as Mistborn and The Stormlight Archive. His debut novel, Elantris, was published in 2005, followed by the Mistborn trilogy. In 2007, following the passing of author Robert Jordan, Sanderson was chosen to complete Jordan's epic series, The Wheel of Time, resulting in three additional novels that concluded the saga. Beyond writing, Sanderson co-hosts the podcast Writing Excuses, offering insights into the craft of writing. He also serves as an adjunct faculty member at BYU, teaching creative writing courses.

Achievements and Awards

• Hugo Award for Best Novella for The Emperor’s Soul (2013)
• David Gemmell Legend Award for The Way of Kings (2011)
• Goodreads Choice Awards Best Fantasy for Towers of Midnight (2010)
• Whitney Award for Best Speculative Fiction for Mistborn: The Hero of Ages (2008)

Personal Life

In 2006, Sanderson married Emily Bushman, an English, Spanish, and ESL teacher and fellow BYU alumna; Emily later became his business manager. They have three sons and reside in American Fork, Utah. :contentReference[oaicite:4]{index=4} In 2015, Brandon and Emily Sanderson established The Lightweaver Foundation, a charitable organization dedicated to supporting various humanitarian efforts, including literacy programs and medical aid.

Recent Endeavors

In March 2022, Sanderson launched a record-breaking Kickstarter campaign, raising over $41 million to fund the publication of four secret novels, demonstrating his innovative approach to publishing and a strong connection with his readership. :contentReference[oaicite:6]{index=6} In September 2024, he co-authored a children's picture book titled The Most Boring Book Ever with award-winning graphic novelist Kazu Kibuishi, marking his first venture into children's literature.

External Links

• Official Website
• Wikipedia Page
• The Coppermind Wiki