Brandon Sanderson is a highly acclaimed American author specializing in fantasy and science fiction. Born in Lincoln, Nebraska, in 1975, his passion for storytelling was sparked during high school after reading Barbara Hambly’s Dragonsbane. Initially pursuing biochemistry at Brigham Young University (BYU), Sanderson shifted to English and creative writing, recognizing his love for writing. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree and later completed a master’s in creative writing at BYU. His debut novel, Elantris (2005), marked the beginning of a prolific career that blends intricate world-building with innovative magic systems. Sanderson is also a regular teacher of creative writing at BYU and a co-host of the Writing Excuses podcast.