S2, E32: Mistborn, Building Dragonsteel & Becoming Fantasy’s Biggest Author with Brandon Sanderson

Brandon Sanderson joins the Small Lake City Podcast to talk about Mistborn, Dragonsteel, his journey to becoming one of the biggest fantasy authors in the world, and the unconventional business he’s built around his books and fans. Brandon shares how he went from writing books in a friend’s basement to building a global fanbase, why a dispute between Amazon and his publisher helped change the way he thought about his career, and how that eventually led to building Dragonsteel and going directly to his fans. We also get into the future of Mistborn. After roughly 20 years of trying to get Mistborn adapted, Brandon explains why he decided to learn screenwriting himself, what he’s learned through the process, and where things stand today. Plus, Brandon talks about: • How he first fell in love with fantasy • Going from biochemistry at BYU to becoming an author • The mentors who helped him understand publishing • Finishing Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time • Why he built Dragonsteel • Amazon’s influence on the publishing industry • Going directly to fans and creating premium books • Learning to write screenplays • His Mistborn screenplay • Why he lives in Utah • How Southern Utah inspired The Stormlight Archive • Meeting fans like Victor Wembanyama and Henry Cavill • Where new readers should start with Brandon Sanderson • What he’s excited to write next If you’re new to Brandon Sanderson, he recommends Mistborn for readers looking for action and adventure, or Tress of the Emerald Sea for something more whimsical and cozy. Small Lake City is a podcast about the people, stories, businesses and ideas shaping Salt Lake City and Utah. Subscribe for weekly conversations with the people making Utah a more interesting place. 🎙️ Small Lake City Podcast 📍 Salt Lake City, Utah #BrandonSanderson #Mistborn #Cosmere #FantasyBooks #StormlightArchive 50% Off Minky Couture Blankets: softminkyblankets.com/SMALLLAKECITY Get your tickets to Strada Saturdays on Oct. 10th here Please be sure to like, review, follow, subscribe and share the podcast with your friends and family! See you next time  Support the show Join the Small Lake City Discord: https://discord.gg/TYNzMhCxeK Subscribe to the Newsletter! https://substack.com/@smalllakepod Instagram: @smalllakepod Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SmallLakeCityPodcast TikTok: @smalllakepod