Brandon Sanderson Hits Pause on State of the Sanderson — Here’s Why
Holiday break, not radio silence: Brandon Sanderson is pausing weekly updates until January but dropped a quick YouTube check-in with fresh Ghostbloods progress and a new leatherbound edition of Robert Jordan’s The Eye of the World.
Brandon Sanderson is doing what the rest of us are doing this time of year: staying home with the family and stepping away from the grind. The weekly update is taking a holiday nap, and honestly, fair.
Quick holiday note
In a short video on his YouTube channel, Sanderson squeezed in three quick things before signing off for the season: a progress ping on the first Ghostbloods book, a new leatherbound edition of Robert Jordan's 'The Eye of the World', and the surprise performance of 'Tailored Realities' (it popped bigger than he expected). Then he got to the point:
'So we won't be back until January 12th with the next Weekly Update. The company is closed for the holidays.'
Why the break makes sense
It has been a heavy lift year for Sanderson: steady writing output, a full slate of events, hosting a podcast, and the usual pile of professional and personal work. Early in the year he dropped 'Isles of the Emberdark' (one of those secret projects), and this month 'Tailored Realities' turned into an instant hit with readers. He also keeps nudging the first Ghostbloods book across the finish line and says it is sitting at 91% complete. On top of that, his December convention dedicated to his work ran earlier this month, where he talked through upcoming plans and casually revealed he is already tinkering with a new secret project. The man does not idle.
Fans often ask how he keeps the pace without burning out. His answer has been consistent: the excitement of the work itself, plus switching between different kinds of projects, keeps him energized and eager to get back to the keyboard.
The bigger roadmap (from his State of the Sanderson)
Before the holiday sign-off, Sanderson posted his annual State of the Sanderson on YouTube, with a full transcript on his site. It recaps the year and lays out what he is targeting for 2026. The highlights:
- March 2026: a crowdfunding campaign for the Hoid Storybooks.
- December 2026: a new standalone novel, 'The Fires of December'.
- Travel: a UK convention stop sometime in 2026.
- Still on his to-do list (yes, still): sequels to 'Elantris', 'Warbreaker', and 'The Rithmatist'. He has been pushing these off for a while but has not abandoned them.
- Screen adaptations: 'Snapshot' and 'Tress of the Emerald Sea' are not moving forward anytime soon despite effort behind the scenes. 'Skyward' has showrunners in place and they are working with Sanderson on the pilot. 'Mistborn' and 'The Stormlight Archive' saw encouraging movement after he met with Hollywood execs in May, but nothing is locked yet. He is hoping to share firmer updates next year.
Where to watch and what to expect next
If you want the full rundown, his State of the Sanderson is up on YouTube, and the transcript lives on his official site. The weekly update returns January 12, once the team reopens after the holiday shutdown.
Author snapshot
Brandon Winn Sanderson was born December 19, 1975, writes fantasy and science fiction, and has been publishing since 2005. Notable works include 'Mistborn', 'The Stormlight Archive', and finishing the last three books of Robert Jordan's 'The Wheel of Time'.
Which of his 2026 plans are you most curious about? And yes, I am also side-eyeing that Ghostbloods progress bar.