Entertainment · Books & Arts · 27 mins ago
Brandon Sanderson Says Dragonriders of Pern Led Him to Fantasy
Brandon Sanderson says Dragonriders of Pern sparked his love of fantasy when he began enjoying books at age 14.
The series was written by Anne McCaffrey and follows a world that blends science fiction and fantasy.
Sanderson discussed its influence at a September 2026 launch event with authors James Islington and Janci Patterson.
He says McCaffrey’s work helped shape his writing, including his approach to magic systems, female characters and stories that jump forward by centuries.
He also imagined his character Hoid hiding in the world of Pern while reading her books.
Sanderson calls the series deeply underread despite its influence on fantasy.
He says McCaffrey’s work remains a key inspiration for his own novels.
Brandon Sanderson said Anne McCaffrey’s Dragonriders of Pern series first got him interested in fantasy.
He said the books were among the first he read when he began loving reading at age 14.
Sanderson made the comments at a launch party panel with James Islington and Janci Patterson.
He described the series as an example of books that can belong to both science fiction and fantasy.
Sanderson said the series is underread today despite its influence on fantasy.
- Who
- Brandon Sanderson discussed Anne McCaffrey’s influence on him.
- What
- He said the Dragonriders of Pern books first got him into fantasy.
- When
- He spoke at a launch party on September 1, 2026; the video was posted on November 6.
- Where
- The launch party was for Blightfall and Scion. The location is not stated.
- Why
- The books introduced Sanderson to fantasy and influenced his writing.
Anne McCaffrey
Brandon Sanderson
Genre
Anne McCaffrey
McCaffrey consistently said Pern was science fiction, not fantasy.
Brandon Sanderson
Sanderson said a work can belong to both genres and considers Dragonriders of Pern an example.
Sanderson said Dragonriders of Pern was among the first series he read when he began loving reading.
Sanderson discussed the series at the Blightfall and Scion launch party with James Islington and Janci Patterson.
Video of the launch party panel was posted to YouTube.
- Author
- Brandon Sanderson
- Series
- Dragonriders of Pern
- Creator
- Anne McCaffrey
- Launch party date
- September 1, 2026
- Video posting date
- November 6, 2026
What people are saying
I always want to be writing books that, if Anne McCaffrey were to read them, she’d be like, 'Alright, you’re allowed to say my name as one of my inspirations, Brandon.'