“This post gets longer and longer each year,” Brandon Sanderson mused at the conclusion of this year’s State of the Sanderson update. Yet the irony is that the prolific epic fantasy author expects for just one project to take up the majority of 2019: the fourth book in The Stormlight Archive. But in the interest of maintaining accountability with readers, Sanderson was sure to provide status reports on nearly a dozen other projects, including Spensa’s further adventures in the Skyward sequels, what’s going on with Dark One, and his forthcoming metal/necromancy collaboration with Peter Orullian. Read on for key tidbits!
The Stormlight Archive
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Oathbringer
“The truth is, I’m getting really anxious about getting back to Stormlight,” Sanderson writes. “That’s a very good sign, as once I finish a Stormlight book, I’m usually feeling quite burned out on the setting, and need a number of months to recover.” As Oathbringer was published in November 2017, the timing is perfect for Sanderson to devote the new year to writing the fourth installment of The Stormlight Archive. And in many ways, he will also be determining the shape of the fifth book as well, as it concludes a major arc within the projected ten-book series. Sanderson explains further:
The Stormlight series has a very odd structure. Each novel is outlined as a trilogy plus a short story collection (the interludes) and is the length of four regular books. This lets me play with narrative in some interesting ways—but it also makes each volume a beast to write. The other superstructure to the series is the spotlight on the ten orders of Radiants, with each book highlighting one of them while also having a flashback sequences for a character tied to one of those orders. If that weren’t complicated enough, the series is organized in two major five-book arcs.
Come January 1 (just as he predicted last year), Sanderson will begin the process of writing Stormlight Four. That begins with a reread of the first three books, and a brand-new progress bar on the official site. He’ll also be posting updates to the Stormlight subreddit. While he is “optimistic” about the book being published in fall 2020, that release date could get pushed to 2021 depending how the first draft turns out.
Dark One
Announced earlier this year as a massive multimedia undertaking, this twist on the Chosen One narrative is continuing apace. A graphic novel is currently in the works—with some art that may be shared sooner rather than later—while Sanderson reports that he has been doing pitches in Hollywood for a potential television series. Here’s a little more about the story to whet your appetite until the next update:
The story, if you aren’t familiar with it, is about a young man in our world who discovers that a fantasy world has declared him to be the Dark One, and starts sending hit squads into our world to assassinate him. Pitched as “Harry Potter from Voldemort’s viewpoint,” the story follows this young man as he is forced to confront the possibility that he might do what the prophecies say.
Death Without Pizza
The project formerly known as Death by Pizza has shown up on a number of previous States of the Sanderson, when it was the tongue-in-cheek story of a pizza delivery man who unwittingly becomes a necromancer. Picking the project back up after several years, Sanderson decided to change the protagonist’s occupation to something a bit different: frontman for a heavy metal band. To aid him in the kind of research and personal experience that would go into worldbuilding around this new kind of character, Sanderson enlisted friend and fellow novelist Peter Orullian—and so a collaboration was born.
Orullian has completed the first draft of what Sanderson describes as “a Dresden Files-esque urban fantasy series set in London, starring a necromancer.” In fact, there’s even more to it than that, as he describes the plot:
It’s the story of an American metal singer living in London whose day goes from bad to worse as he gets kicked out of his band, then makes his way to his favorite pub to lick his wounds—only to end up getting shot in the head during an apparent robbery. And after that, things start to go really badly for him.
Sanderson has spent this month writing a second draft of this untitled project—no, it won’t be called Death Without Pizza—and will be handing it back to Orullian for a third draft. While they won’t start looking for a publisher until they have revised the manuscript, Sanderson anticipates this novel being released in the next two years.
Skyward Sequels
Fans of Skyward can look forward to Starsight in late 2019, as Sanderson wrote the first two books in the four-book series close together. However, The Stormlight Archive taking priority in 2019 means a longer wait between Starsight and the third book in the series; then the fourth book will follow closer to the third, as Sanderson will likely write those two in tandem as well.
Potential Movie/TV Adaptations
While many a Sanderson property has been optioned, the author is careful to emphasize that optioning a book is only the first of at least six steps in the typical Hollywood process. Most of the potential adaptations he mentions are early in that process, though there is some movement that can make for intriguing updates. For instance, Mistborn is being pitched around as a film series, while The Way of Kings is courting interest as a television series. Also in the TV realm, Dark One has an “impressive” showrunner attached, though no official announcement has yet been made.
Sanderson has had some conversations with The Wheel of Time showrunner Rafe Judkins, though he has been very respectful about giving the adaptation space. “I’m impressed with everything I see,” Sanderson says, “and hope to at the very least be able to pop over to the set when filming happens and grab some photos for you all.”
Interestingly, his novella Snapshot seems to be furthest along in the adaptation process; MGM is working on a film about a detective investigating a recreation of the day and time a crime was committed, only to discover that the details don’t add up. Sanderson shares that the screenplay “is an improvement on my story in virtually every way” and hopes that he has more news to share soon.
Wax and Wayne
Having regretted his inability to return to the fourth Wax and Wayne installment in 2018, Sanderson is keeping this project on his radar as a potential break from Stormlight Four. Regardless of when it is published, this book will conclude Wax and Wayne’s story and wrap up Mistborn Era Two. Sanderson has “big plans” for Era Three, which he will write several years down the road, between Stormlight Five and Stormlight Six.
2019 and Beyond
As always, Sanderson ends the annual update with a projected release schedule for the next couple of years:
Starsight (Skyward Two): November 2019
White Sand Three: Sometime 2019–2020
Stormlight Four: Fall 2020
Skyward Three: 2021
Wax and Wayne Four: Sometime 2020 or 2021
Read the complete State of the Sanderson 2018 for information on board games, music, and other licensed work; and updates on Alcatraz Six and the next White Sand graphic novel!
I need to say how much I am appreciating Brandon’s honesty here with respect to SA4’s release. I can’t wait for the updates next January!
Not trying to be dark or anything – but I REALLY hope Sanderson has done / will do detailed outlines for Stormlight 5-10, Mistborn Era 3 and 4, and basically the rest of the Cosmere, so that someone else would be able to finish it if (God forbid) it became necessary, like how Sanderson finished The Wheel of Time.
Speaking of TWoT, I’m interested – what was the reaction of the fandom to Jordan’s death at the time? What was their reaction to finding out TWoT would actually be completed after all?
I wonder how soon the adaptation for the Stormlight Archive will be. Hopefully it’ll stay true to the books since, learning from the GoT series, they might mess it up as they leave the source material. Meaning that either Sanderson gives detailed plotline and subplots of each main character until the end, or as I’d prefer, they begin the production with some scheduling prediction that each season won’t arrive earlier than the books being adapted.
Ah and I forgot to say how relieved I am to see the Stormlight Archive has changed from being a movie to a TV series.
@@@@@ 2
Back when Jordan was alive, fandom online was intense, to put it mildly. Sites like theoryland and dragonmount thrived, and we were on there constantly debating. Being a fan took up a big chunk of my life (hell it still does to an extent thanks to Tor’s rereads), and his work no-shit helped shape my life.
I followed his blog then, so I was updated when he got sick, got good news, got bad news, and passed on. The online reaction to his death was not primarily “oh god The Wheel of Time will never get finished,” but honest sadness, though that thought came later. I’m still sad, thinking about it now. I’d been reading his work for a decade at that point, some people for seventeen years.
I don’t know if there’s an ongoing fandom out there for anything else that can match it. It seems like a lot of GRRM’s and Rothfuss’ fans could give a damn about the actual human beings writing those stories. I’ve seen some internet trolls outright wish death on Martin just because they’re pissed the TV show passed him up (which is freakin psychotic).
I liked Sanderson’s follow ups. I think Towers of Midnight is one of the best books in the series. But I’d rather have never seen it and still be waiting on Jordan to finish one last book.
Stormlight in 2021? That means I won’t be able to read it. I hope he will write a short story before main release.
@5
As a huge fan of Rothfuss’ writing, but less a fan of the man himself, I have a question regarding Jordan. Was he outright rude and condescending to his fans the way Rothfuss is? Did he angrily refuse to give updates on his writing? Or, like Sanderson, did he foster a relationship with his fans. Based on honesty and accountability?
@6 lordruler
If I recall correctly, the reason is your vision correct? Brandon does release his books as audio books, and if you feel that falls flat then there is also graphic audio that gets released later on that treats the books much like a radio show. I myself have trouble absorbing books via audio, but if it is either that or nothing, at least you could still listen to them and find out what happens next. I know it is a small consolation, but just trying to help in a small way.
In the same amount of time, I’ll clumsily draft about one quarter of the first draft of some amateur novel that will never see the light of day. No wonder he has a writing career and I don’t. ;)
@7 Jordan was pretty active in letting his fanbase know what was up via his blog, interviews, and book tours. He did have a habit of claiming the series would be finished much earlier than it actually was, but I think when he did that he actually believed it. I mean he claimed until the end that A Memory of Light would be one last book, and the Three Sanderson Tomes we got feel a little rushed, plotwise, if anything.
As far as Rothfuss, it’s unfortunate if he’s been rude and condescending, but it’s hardly surprising. A lot of his fans have acted that way toward him about Doors of Stone for a long while. I’m pretty firmly in the camp of Authors Don’t Owe Fans Their Work. And trust me I realize it’s not a popular opinion. People should enjoy what they have. Name of the Wind isn’t any less of a masterpiece because the third book doesn’t exist yet, IMHO.
Talking Sanderson though, I really hope he writes that Warbreaker sequel sometime when he gets that itch for a break. I still think it’s his 2nd best novel after Words of Radiance. More Vivenna and Vasher, please.
@2
I really cannot imagine anyone finishing the cosmeres. I mean honestly how could he hope to outline his dreams, your talking major stories from a crazy amount of series. In some ways I feel overwhelmed for him, but I’m so thankful that Sanderson continues to diligently put out more and more content.
I remember when RJordan passed away. Honestly I felt sad that he spent his final year outlining a make believe world’s “final” book. Before he passed I couldn’t believe he would give up his final months working so diligently on notes. Notes, not even writing the book. Honestly I’m of the opinion that Sanderson breathed much needed life into a stale series but I loved the books to the point I wasn’t going to not read them.
@Blueberry, I have said and been yelled at: the only way Sanderson can finish the Cosmere project[1] is to take on at least two collaborators. The current SotS says no Cosmere books for two years (2018 and 2019), maybe three. As Brandon himself acknowledges, he will continue to take on new projects because if he concentrates on just Cosmere stuff for too long it starts to bog down. (He says so in the SotS essay, that’s not slanging.) According to the essay, already in his plans at some stage are 7 more Stormlight books, the last Wax and Wayne book plus two more Mistborn trilogies, Elantris and Warbreaker sequels, the Dragonsteel/Partinel sequence (three books in at least one report), a Sixth of the Dusk sequel, a Threnody novel, Aether of Night and Silence Divine.
So call it 22 novels, the Stormlight books being as long as 3-4 “normal” books. Brandon’s in his mid-forties and since his career took off, has done less than one Cosmere book per year. If he stuck to that schedule he could in principle finish in his late 70s. However SQUIRREL!
By which I mean, he doesn’t just stick to his schedule and will undoubtedly add more projects to his “to do” list.
So, in order to avoid Mr. Jordan’s sad fate of not seeing the end of his own magnum opus, he would need to take on a couple of collaborators. It seems he isn’t averse to doing so, since he’s collaborating with Peter Orullian on the “Death by Allomancy” novel(s)[2]. Mind you, I won’t see the end because I’m significantly older than Brandon.
[1]In the technical business management sense of “project,” an endeavor with a specific goal, and which can at some point be declared complete and ended.
[2]Allomancy because the lead character is a “metal” singer.
Let’s be honest. The wordbuilding depth of the Stormlight Archive requires a movie budget to do it justice visual-wise, however, the Stormlight Archive requires a TV series to do it justice narrative-wise. A live action adaptation with a TV budget will be subpar, I am predicting it now. The only way you can bring proper visuals to the screen and do the narrative justice is if you do an animated adaptation. I’m sorry but the world of Stormlight Archive is just too fantastical for a TV budget and too long for a movie. Animation is the only solution I see to this.
@2 I wasn’t as deep in the WoT fandom at that particular time than at some points in my life, so I missed a lot of the controversies (mercifully). I can say that I felt Jordan’s death very intensely, and not primarily because of the unfinished series except as a personal tragedy. I think that it was the only time I ever literally cried over the death of a person I had not met. Like @5, WoT had a major role in shaping my adult personality, so it was more like losing someone I had met than losing a stranger whose work I admired.
@13, I’m inclined to think that you may be right on this (I hope I don’t get yelled at). Co-authorship could get more of the books completed, and maybe also help with Sanderson’s prose–I love his characters, but his sentence-level craft is a weak spot IMHO. However, I do think that Sanderson also has a bit of an “out” in that he can decide the scope of the Cosmere. If he doesn’t finish all 10 Stormlight books, then we are left with a major hole. If he, for example, never writes Mistborn III and Dragonsteel, then the story would likely still be comprehensible and feel finished. It wouldn’t be the end of the world if some of these purported books functioned more as backstory that kicked off the published writing than as actual novels. (In particular, I have a suspicion that the shadowy setup of the death of Adonalsium/Hoid’s origin story is more effective than any attempt to publish Dragonsteel would be.)
As much as I’ve loved the Storm Light Series, 7 more books at 3-4 yeas per book means I most likely will not see the end. This is not a criticism of BS just a sad observation.
I think most people have an issue with Rothfuss because when his first book came out he publicly stated (I’m sure someone can find the post) that all books were done and would be released in consecutive years. Obviously that didn’t happen and when he was asked about it he was displeased with the question. It felt more like the initial “it’s already done” statement was an outright lie to convince ppl to buy his book.
Regarding the passing of Jordan, it felt like losing a long time friend combined with the horror of believing his incredible story would not be completed. Thankfully Harriet (sp?) is made of much stronger stuff than me and very quickly assured everyone the story would be finished and RJ had left extensive notes regarding the direction of WoT.
I was very sad when RJ died – and honestly, finishing the books was a bit of an after thought to me. Although of course I wanted to see it finished – I had started reading the books in high school (around 1999).
Anyway, as to this – I’m a bit sad at the Wax and Wayne book getting pushed off, but part of me is also kind of relieved that he won’t be releasing anything else until this Fall, as it gives me some time to catch up. I still haven’t read the newest Legion story or Skyward. I did at least check out the Magic novella he wrote.
And the thing about Carl’s list is that it doesn’t even account for his non Cosmere stuff – I’m sitll eagery awaiting the next Alcatraz book. I have somewhat given up on seeing a Rithmatist sequel especially given that he isn’t sure he can do the time period justice or portray it with the sensitivity it deserves.