Brandon Sanderson Surprises Fans With New Cosmere Novel The Fires of December
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
Brandon Sanderson surprised fans at Dragonsteel Nexus 2025 by revealing a new standalone Cosmere novel called The Fires of December as part of a BackerKit crowdfunding campaign.
Brandon Sanderson has once again proven that his writing output operates on a completely different level. During the Dragonsteel Nexus 2025 event, the prolific fantasy author unveiled his latest secret project, a brand new standalone novel titled The Fires of December, alongside a fresh crowdfunding campaign on BackerKit. The book forms part of Hoid's Storybook Collection, an ambitious initiative that also includes illustrated tales featuring the multiverse hopping trickster Hoid. Polygon covered the full breakdown of the announcement, highlighting how Sanderson continues to expand his sprawling universe directly through community focused releases.
According to the early plot details shared at the convention, the story follows a young woman named December as she navigates a forgotten land powered by rivers of demon blood. When she discovers that a devastating plague is heading toward the capital, she must sail up the River Violet to warn the royal court, relying on her wits, a talkative priestess, and a fledgling fashion designer. Fans are already speculating wildly about the title character and the setting, especially wondering if the book might connect the Cosmere to some version of Earth. Sanderson even treated convention attendees to a reading of the first chapter, with plans to send the excerpt out to his newsletter subscribers for anyone who missed the live reveal.
While we wait for the official release next year, this drop is another strong reminder of how effective direct creator crowdfunding has become for major fantasy franchises. By bypassing traditional release cycles and connecting directly with readers through platforms like BackerKit, authors can deliver ambitious side projects and physical goodies on their own terms. If Sanderson's previous record shattering campaign is any indication, this new collection is going to find its way onto countless bookshelf displays very soon.
Tags: Brandon Sanderson, Cosmere, Fantasy Books, BackerKit, Publishing
Original article: Polygon