Brandon Sanderson has moved over 50 million books worldwide, and much of his success ties back to his life in Utah. Growing up in Nebraska, Sanderson found inspiration in the bio of author Tracy Hickman, whose mention of playing the organ at his local church gave a young Sanderson the belief that he could pursue writing while maintaining his personal values.
Since moving to Utah at age 18, the state has become a major influence on his Cosmere universe. The intense weather systems in his Stormlight Archive series were born from his time exploring southern Utah slot canyons with his roommate. Meanwhile, the mists that define his Mistborn series were inspired by a drive through a dense fog bank near Tremonton. Sanderson notes that he can trace a specific Utah connection to almost every book he has written.
Beyond his own writing, Sanderson plays a key role in the local creative scene. He teaches a specialized creative writing course at Brigham Young University that has helped turn the region into a destination for speculative fiction authors. His company, Dragonsteel Entertainment, is currently planning a large-scale project in Pleasant Grove, which aims to bring a new bookstore and plaza to the area.
While his major fan convention, Dragonsteel Nexus, is heading to Denver for the next few years due to construction at the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City, his commitment to his home state remains firm. For Sanderson, fantasy is a way to explore the current world. He views his books as tools for empathy, helping readers see life through the eyes of others to bridge social divides.