Brandon Sanderson Begins Outlining Stormlight Archive 6
Author confirms initial development phase for the next installment in his fantasy series.
1Official Development Commences
Author Brandon Sanderson officially announced the start of the outlining process for the sixth book in The Stormlight Archive series. This update, shared during his November 3 weekly video, marks the transition of the project into active development. While drafting has not yet begun, the author is currently establishing the foundational narrative structure.
2Long-Term Writing Schedule
Sanderson has set a specific timeline for his upcoming literary projects, aiming to begin writing the sixth installment in January 2028. Before this, he plans to dedicate the entirety of 2027 to outlining the sixth book alongside the four subsequent volumes. This methodical approach ensures he can maintain consistent momentum during the writing phase.
3Prioritizing Ghostbloods Series
The progress on the Stormlight Archive series remains contingent upon the author's primary goal for the upcoming year. Sanderson is currently focused on completing Ghostbloods 2 and 3 before shifting his full attention to the Stormlight saga. This strategic sequencing allows him to manage multiple complex narrative arcs without compromising his established production quality.
4Ambitious Release Projections
Sanderson anticipates an accelerated release schedule for the second half of the series, covering books six through ten. He estimates that once drafting begins, new installments could arrive every two to three years starting around 2031. This long-term planning demonstrates his commitment to completing the epic series despite juggling various other professional obligations.
5Expanding Media Adaptations
Beyond his literary work, Sanderson is actively collaborating with Apple following an unprecedented deal established earlier this year. While a television adaptation of The Stormlight Archive is confirmed, the author is currently prioritizing a film adaptation of the original Mistborn trilogy. This project represents a significant expansion of his intellectual property into visual media.
6Mistborn Screenplay Progress
Sanderson is personally writing the script for the Mistborn film adaptation and provided a specific update on his progress. The second draft is currently 35% complete, reflecting a 10% increase over the previous week. This steady output continues even while the author manages other creative commitments and public appearances, including recent streaming events.
7Transparent Project Tracking
The author utilizes weekly update videos and visual progress bars to maintain transparency with his audience regarding his numerous ongoing projects. This practice allows fans to monitor the status of both his writing and adaptation efforts in real-time. Such detailed reporting has become a hallmark of his engagement strategy with his dedicated reader base.
8Strategic Creative Management
Sanderson’s ability to coordinate long-term book releases with high-profile film and television adaptations highlights his disciplined approach to creative management. By balancing complex outlining phases with active scriptwriting, he maintains a rigorous production schedule. This systematic workflow remains essential for delivering large-scale fantasy narratives while simultaneously navigating the demands of major studio partnerships.
Original article: Polygon — Brandon Sanderson Begins Outlining Stormlight Archive 6