Still reading but before I forget, among his many official areas I believe you left out the one I actively listen to, his Podcast that he started with his friends of many decades: Writing Excuses. I like them because they are short and filled with many voices on the topic of writing. I might be back with more commentary after I’ve finished reading your piece. 🤔
Thank you for the feedback, Erica! I know the podcast was on my original list, so I'm not sure why I forgot it. He has such a staggering number of media channels. I watched his whole BYU lecture series, which is how I was introduced to his work. It was fantastic. If you have more feedback, come on back and share 😁
Besides being great content, that lecture series was impressive because he didn’t seek to monetize it. He could have charged an arm and a leg for that info. Instead: here it is. A good deed for the writing world.
This is a fantastic article, Brian. I honestly don’t know the writer but I’m glad to have discovered him like this. This goes to show that perhaps reading is not dead after all. I’m impressed with the marketing he managed to pull for his writing.
I've heard from several aspiring writers who don't necessarily read his fiction, but who listen to his podcast or read Writing Excuses or follow him online for his advice and insights. That goes to show if we contribute outside of our writing, even if just a little, it helps build an audience. Thanks for reading, Claudia!
Teaching writing is definitely an avenue for attracting an audience and for many writers an added source of income. But one has to first get to a level where they can teach. 😅
This is so fascinating & inspiring to read! It's easy to think that the 'greats' in genre fiction are so far beyond us, that we can't even compare, but if you look closely, there are some valuable lessons for us too. I've been an avid listener of Writing Excuses for years, it is THE writing podcast for me. Probably should check out his lecture series too. I don't necessarily vibe with his fiction but I respect his work ethic & what he's built for himself.
Thank you, Vanessa! I have not always been the biggest fan of reading epic fantasy, although I am writing a short story right now in the sub-genre. I agree that there is a definite work ethic to follow, and I hope people can find some useful tidbits in there.
Love this. I'm so fascinated by Brandon Sanderson and his creative approach to publishing. It's not that I can do the things he does, but I can try to think differently, try new things, and I find that inspiring. :)
Thanks, Meaghan, I'm the same way where I enjoy hearing all of the different angles, and ways that artists and authors are trying to succeed. It's like a big bin of Lego pieces and I can use them to make my own building or spaceship that works for me. 🚀🚀🚀
Well-written. I read part of the Wired article and stopped a couple of paragraphs in. I haven't read anything by Sanderson, but I couldn't believe the assassination job they were trying to pull on a person who (so it seems) is just an average person with a really keen sense of his audience and business. And as another article brought up days after the Wired article... why should Sanderson's religion be a point of slander when, AGAIN, Sanderson doesn't seem to be bringing it up at all?
Thank you! I thought it was very professional the way he handled it, and it demonstrates how he approaches his writing and business. I hope I'm as gracious, and I guess at some point if any one of us becomes that popular it just comes with the territory.
I think Sanderson is a genius and that’s part of why media sources can’t get an angle on him. Of course the term genius is a loaded one, a term we bring our preconceptions to, and many look at Sanderson’s success and believe there must be a genius behind it (myself included) so they go looking for a “literary” genius.
In other words, that sort of angsty and disheveled literary trope you mention.
I do think Sanderson is a genius, but a genius is not someone who makes a thing look simple; a genius makes it look fast.
Love his work or find it bland, one can’t deny how quickly he can produce a *deeply* well-thought story. That’s something to admire, even if we might not aspire to be nearly so prolific.
I think it should be reiterated a bit more, or expanded upon, that with all of his outlets to interact it isn't all about writing, it isn't a sales pitch. I know what movies him and his staff like, what games he plays at home to unwind, how much popcorn he eats, how his family is. At no point does he come across as a press release, he just interacts and is very genuine and engaged and authentic.
Not everything has to immediately benefit the bottom line to be worth your time.
That's a great point, Joseph. What's funny is I think that's what helps contribute to his likeability and success, even though he's not necessarily trying. Those just so happen to be his interests. It's not an angle so to speak, but that confuses traditional media because they need an angle. They're used to the cult of personality through influencers and celebrities. I hope if I'm ever in that position that people are still like, oh yeah, he's just a guy I talk to on Substack.
I wish you talked about the businessman side of things in more detail, or maybe I'm overlooking the business aspect of what's already here. I think keeping myself out of the spotlight while the actual writing gets attention is the kind of popularity I'd like to have. Also didn't know he was involved with Writing Excuses, I have a friend who listens to them.
Wondering what precisely to take from this, since I know there's something I should. I've got a serial to keep my writing output consistent. I find talking about writing difficult with the constraints of social media like twitter, video games are much easier to discuss (though with Battles Beneath the Stars there's some obvious overlap with video games). Idly though about 'play video games while talking about writing' streams but I don't want to be a full time twitch streamer with a set schedule.
Hey William, thanks for reading and commenting. Regarding your first point, there is a side to the business that I don't know intimately, but which I would like to know. Using Brandon as an example, he incorporated Dragonsteel Entertainment, employs people, and has handled shipping and fulfillment successfully of a massive Kickstarter. He also started a convention I believe that has met 2 years straight. If there is an area that interests you in particular, let me know and I would be happy to research an essay for the future.
Regarding your second point, this is an aspect of writing I struggle with as well and is one of the major reasons I started the Lunar Awards. I wanted to highlight existing Substack authors, explore specifically the speculative market, and examine the writers and nuances of the genre. However, I did not want to simply "write about writing". I guess it's a way to teach without teaching since there is so much of that out there already. I get the sense there is something similar for what you want to do with writing and games, but I don't know that market well enough to say what that is.
Yes, I noticed the same, and was confused at first, and then just finally chalked it up to jealousy. He's a prolific writer and has put in the work to get himself to that point, so there is nothing else I could point to that says he didn't earn it. His rise to success is what the majority of us authors dream of, and it's a great model to follow.
Still reading but before I forget, among his many official areas I believe you left out the one I actively listen to, his Podcast that he started with his friends of many decades: Writing Excuses. I like them because they are short and filled with many voices on the topic of writing. I might be back with more commentary after I’ve finished reading your piece. 🤔
Thank you for the feedback, Erica! I know the podcast was on my original list, so I'm not sure why I forgot it. He has such a staggering number of media channels. I watched his whole BYU lecture series, which is how I was introduced to his work. It was fantastic. If you have more feedback, come on back and share 😁
Besides being great content, that lecture series was impressive because he didn’t seek to monetize it. He could have charged an arm and a leg for that info. Instead: here it is. A good deed for the writing world.
This is a fantastic article, Brian. I honestly don’t know the writer but I’m glad to have discovered him like this. This goes to show that perhaps reading is not dead after all. I’m impressed with the marketing he managed to pull for his writing.
I've heard from several aspiring writers who don't necessarily read his fiction, but who listen to his podcast or read Writing Excuses or follow him online for his advice and insights. That goes to show if we contribute outside of our writing, even if just a little, it helps build an audience. Thanks for reading, Claudia!
Teaching writing is definitely an avenue for attracting an audience and for many writers an added source of income. But one has to first get to a level where they can teach. 😅
This is so fascinating & inspiring to read! It's easy to think that the 'greats' in genre fiction are so far beyond us, that we can't even compare, but if you look closely, there are some valuable lessons for us too. I've been an avid listener of Writing Excuses for years, it is THE writing podcast for me. Probably should check out his lecture series too. I don't necessarily vibe with his fiction but I respect his work ethic & what he's built for himself.
Thank you, Vanessa! I have not always been the biggest fan of reading epic fantasy, although I am writing a short story right now in the sub-genre. I agree that there is a definite work ethic to follow, and I hope people can find some useful tidbits in there.
Love this. I'm so fascinated by Brandon Sanderson and his creative approach to publishing. It's not that I can do the things he does, but I can try to think differently, try new things, and I find that inspiring. :)
Thanks, Meaghan, I'm the same way where I enjoy hearing all of the different angles, and ways that artists and authors are trying to succeed. It's like a big bin of Lego pieces and I can use them to make my own building or spaceship that works for me. 🚀🚀🚀
Thanks for reading!
Well-written. I read part of the Wired article and stopped a couple of paragraphs in. I haven't read anything by Sanderson, but I couldn't believe the assassination job they were trying to pull on a person who (so it seems) is just an average person with a really keen sense of his audience and business. And as another article brought up days after the Wired article... why should Sanderson's religion be a point of slander when, AGAIN, Sanderson doesn't seem to be bringing it up at all?
Thank you! I thought it was very professional the way he handled it, and it demonstrates how he approaches his writing and business. I hope I'm as gracious, and I guess at some point if any one of us becomes that popular it just comes with the territory.
Agree completely. Thank you for this great article.
I think Sanderson is a genius and that’s part of why media sources can’t get an angle on him. Of course the term genius is a loaded one, a term we bring our preconceptions to, and many look at Sanderson’s success and believe there must be a genius behind it (myself included) so they go looking for a “literary” genius.
In other words, that sort of angsty and disheveled literary trope you mention.
I do think Sanderson is a genius, but a genius is not someone who makes a thing look simple; a genius makes it look fast.
Love his work or find it bland, one can’t deny how quickly he can produce a *deeply* well-thought story. That’s something to admire, even if we might not aspire to be nearly so prolific.
Thank you for the thoughtful response, Michael! I like your assessment of the term genius and how it applies to Sanderson. I think its a great fit.
I think it should be reiterated a bit more, or expanded upon, that with all of his outlets to interact it isn't all about writing, it isn't a sales pitch. I know what movies him and his staff like, what games he plays at home to unwind, how much popcorn he eats, how his family is. At no point does he come across as a press release, he just interacts and is very genuine and engaged and authentic.
Not everything has to immediately benefit the bottom line to be worth your time.
That's a great point, Joseph. What's funny is I think that's what helps contribute to his likeability and success, even though he's not necessarily trying. Those just so happen to be his interests. It's not an angle so to speak, but that confuses traditional media because they need an angle. They're used to the cult of personality through influencers and celebrities. I hope if I'm ever in that position that people are still like, oh yeah, he's just a guy I talk to on Substack.
I wish you talked about the businessman side of things in more detail, or maybe I'm overlooking the business aspect of what's already here. I think keeping myself out of the spotlight while the actual writing gets attention is the kind of popularity I'd like to have. Also didn't know he was involved with Writing Excuses, I have a friend who listens to them.
Wondering what precisely to take from this, since I know there's something I should. I've got a serial to keep my writing output consistent. I find talking about writing difficult with the constraints of social media like twitter, video games are much easier to discuss (though with Battles Beneath the Stars there's some obvious overlap with video games). Idly though about 'play video games while talking about writing' streams but I don't want to be a full time twitch streamer with a set schedule.
Hey William, thanks for reading and commenting. Regarding your first point, there is a side to the business that I don't know intimately, but which I would like to know. Using Brandon as an example, he incorporated Dragonsteel Entertainment, employs people, and has handled shipping and fulfillment successfully of a massive Kickstarter. He also started a convention I believe that has met 2 years straight. If there is an area that interests you in particular, let me know and I would be happy to research an essay for the future.
Regarding your second point, this is an aspect of writing I struggle with as well and is one of the major reasons I started the Lunar Awards. I wanted to highlight existing Substack authors, explore specifically the speculative market, and examine the writers and nuances of the genre. However, I did not want to simply "write about writing". I guess it's a way to teach without teaching since there is so much of that out there already. I get the sense there is something similar for what you want to do with writing and games, but I don't know that market well enough to say what that is.
I hope that helps in some way.
Yes, I noticed the same, and was confused at first, and then just finally chalked it up to jealousy. He's a prolific writer and has put in the work to get himself to that point, so there is nothing else I could point to that says he didn't earn it. His rise to success is what the majority of us authors dream of, and it's a great model to follow.
Thank you for reading and commenting, Reverie!