Robert Jordan ​

James Oliver Rigney Jr. was an American author of epic fantasy. He is known by his pen name, Robert Jordan, for the Wheel of Time series which comprises 14 novels. After Jordan's death in 2007, fellow fantasy author Brandon Sanderson was chosen to complete the final three books in the series. Sanderson, an American author, is also known for his own work, particularly the Mistborn series and The Stormlight Archive.

Quick Facts ​

• Collaborated on the fantasy series "The Wheel of Time".
• Book series has sold over 80 million copies worldwide.
• Also had successful solo careers. Jordan wrote the "Conan the Barbarian" novels and Sanderson is known for the "Mistborn" series.
• After Jordan's death, Sanderson was chosen by Jordan's widow to complete the final books in "The Wheel of Time" series.
• Wheel of Time has been adapted to a television series by Amazon Studios.

Background ​

Robert Jordan was born in 1948 in Charleston, South Carolina, where he was raised. He served two tours in Vietnam with the U.S. Army before attending The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina. After earning his degree in Physics, he worked as a nuclear engineer for the U.S. Navy before starting his writing career. He is best known for his Wheel of Time fantasy series, which spanned fourteen books. He died in 2007 before he could finish the series.

Brandon Sanderson, born in 1975 in Lincoln, Nebraska, grew up in Provo, Utah. He studied English at Brigham Young University, where he now teaches. Before his successful writing career, he worked as a hotel night clerk and editor. His first novel, Elantris, was published in 2005. When Robert Jordan died, Sanderson was chosen to complete the Wheel of Time series from extensive notes left by Jordan. He has also written many bestselling series, including the Mistborn series, The Stormlight Archive, and standalone novels like Warbreaker and The Rithmatist.

Writing Style and Impact ​

Both Jordan and Sanderson, although two distinct authors, collaborated on the epic fantasy series "The Wheel of Time". Jordan’s writing is known for its incredibly detailed world-building and complex plot lines, creating a vast, immersive fantasy universe. Sanderson, who completed the series after Jordan’s death, is known for his clear, accessible prose and creative magic systems. Both writers have found immense popularity within the fantasy genre, influencing many future authors with their intricate storytelling and expansive world-building. Their work helped to popularize and deepen the epic fantasy genre.

Notable Works ​

• The Wheel of Time series (1990-2013)
• The Stormlight Archive series (2010- ongoing)
• Mistborn series (2006-2021)
• Warbreaker (2009)
• Words of Radiance (2014)
• Oathbringer (2017)