On Writing With Brandon Sanderson | Full Writing Lectures (2025)

This collection of lectures from Brandon Sanderson is critical in learning to write sci/fi fantasy. I am only 15 years of age and do not have access to a college level course in my area so this podcast is critical to my education in creative writing. Thank you Mr. Sanderson.

Many issues with this series: 1. Not a real teacher. Sanderson does not practice pedagogy. He practices demagoguery. No real explanation of writing, instead a heuristic explanation of the “feel” of writing. 2. Content. He only talks about how he feels about his content, but does not explain it. 3. “Work”. Sanderson speaks of finding a job where he finds the time to write, as well. This is neither work nor labor—it is “work”, the things that entitled white men get to do: to “work” and truly not *work*. Deeply problematic on many, many levels. 4. Sycophantic live audience including his staff and family whom he treats like cattle/vassals, not humans. Same for former classmates, former teachers, and treats current students like chattel. Synopsis: This series is gross and disturbing. The host is disturbingly self-unaware, high on his own “success” but ultimately shares nothing with his listeners outside of his BYU “lectures” (not lectures—self-PR rants). VICE-style rating: 4 out of 4 barfs. Super-lame. Super-dumb. Super-self-oriented. Super-makes me hate humanity.

Thank you to Brandon Sanderson for this Podcast! I discovered it as I recently got back into writing and wanted some help in putting it all together. The gift that Mr. Sanderson has given to the writing community is amazing and self-less! I really appreciate him wanting to share his gift with those of us who admire his craft. I will coming back to these lectures over and over!

I began writing a year ago, and the book poured out of me in six weeks. I hadn’t a clue what to do afterwards. Then I found this podcast and began rewriting and editing my novel into what it is today. I can’t thank you enough.

I’m loving this podcast! It really gives history and perspective on the publishing industry. And Sanderson is a great speaker who also has the chops to speak with authority