Author Brandon Sanderson Gains Sci-Fi Acclaim
Author Brandon Sanderson, known for his epic fantasy, is receiving critical praise for his work in science fiction. A Polygon review of his latest novel, *Tailored Realities*, suggests he may be "even better at sci-fi than Cosmere fantasy." The review highlights his ability to blend high-concept speculation with the deep world-building characteristic of his fantasy series.
- While known for fantasy, Sanderson has an established sci-fi catalog, including the four-book *Skyward* series which began in 2018. The first novel debuted at number three on the New York Times Best Seller list for Young Adult Hardcover. - In March 2022, he demonstrated a powerful direct-to-fan publishing model by launching a Kickstarter campaign for four "secret novels" he wrote during the pandemic. The campaign became the most funded in Kickstarter history, raising $41.75 million from 185,341 backers. - Among the four "Secret Project" books were sci-fi titles, including *The Frugal Wizard's Handbook for Surviving Medieval England* and *The Sunlit Man*, a novel that explores the future of his interconnected Cosmere universe. - Sanderson runs his own company, Dragonsteel Entertainment, which serves as the publisher for his self-published works and producer for various related projects, giving him significant control over his intellectual property. - For aspiring writers, Sanderson makes his creative writing lectures from Brigham Young University available for free online. The lectures cover his systematic approach to world-building and storytelling, including his widely cited "Sanderson's Laws of Magic." - In a significant industry deal in January 2026, Apple TV acquired the screen rights to his Cosmere universe, with plans to develop a *Mistborn* film series and a *Stormlight Archive* television series. The agreement is noted for granting Sanderson an unusually high degree of creative involvement and control over the adaptations.
