Dragonsteel Nexus 2026: Every Featured Guest Confirmed by Brandon Sanderson

Fans of Brandon Sanderson have plenty to be excited about as Dragonsteel Nexus 2026 invites an impressive lineup of special guests. The acclaimed Mistborn author has now confirmed every featured writer set to appear at the highly anticipated convention, giving attendees a clearer picture of what to expect.

In his latest YouTube video, he discussed the upcoming event and how fans can easily secure their tickets. He also revealed the names of the guest writers appearing at the assembly, so that fans can have the chance to meet them in person and get their books signed.

Here’s a complete look at every featured guest confirmed by Sanderson for Dragonsteel Nexus 2026:

1 Martha Wells Is The Author of The Murderbot Diaries

Martha Wells is a celebrated American speculative fiction author whose work spans science fiction, fantasy, young adult novels, short stories, and essays. Over the course of her career, she has written stories that have been translated into multiple languages. She also credits her academic background in anthropology for her talent in creating rich, immersive worlds with detailed cultures and believable societies.

She has earned widespread acclaim for The Murderbot Diaries, which won four Hugo Awards, two Nebula Awards, and six Locus Awards. Her other book series includes The Rising World, Ile-Rien, and Books of the Raksura.

As one of the featured guests at Dragonsteel Nexus 2026, Wells is expected to be a major draw for fans of both science fiction and fantasy. Attendees will have the opportunity to hear from one of the genre’s most acclaimed voices, making her appearance one of the convention’s most anticipated highlights.

2 S.A. Chakraborty Is Famous For The Daevabad Trilogy

S.A. Chakraborty is best known for The Daevabad Trilogy, a bestselling fantasy series inspired by Middle Eastern history, mythology, and folklore. Praised for its rich worldbuilding, political intrigue, and unforgettable characters, the trilogy quickly became a favorite among fans. Chakraborty’s fresh take on epic fantasy helped her stand out in a genre often dominated by Western-inspired settings.

As of 2020, the series was optioned by Complete Fiction for development at Netflix, although there hasn’t been any new update about the project in the past few years.

Looking ahead, Chakraborty’s appearance at Dragonsteel Nexus 2026 can revive discussion about this exciting prospect. Fans will also have the chance to know more about what she’s been cooking up lately, including her current writing projects and plans in the fantasy genre.

3 Sarah Beth Durst Is A Bestselling Fantasy Writer of Over 30 Books

Sarah Beth Durst is a bestselling fantasy author who has written more than 30 books across a wide range of age groups and genres. Her stories often blend magic, adventure, and imaginative worldbuilding, making them popular with both younger readers and adults.

In 2007, Durst published her debut young adult novel, Into the Wild. She returned to fairy tale inspiration in 2009 with Ice, a modern retelling of East of the Sun, West of the Moon. In 2024, she achieved a major breakthrough with The Spellshop, widely seen as a standout example of the emerging “cozy fantasy” subgenre.

With her appearance at Dragonsteel Nexus 2026, Durst is set to connect directly with fans of modern fantasy’s more whimsical and heartfelt side. Attendees can expect lively discussions about worldbuilding, storytelling, and the rise of cozy fantasy.

4 Matt Dinniman Is Known For His LitRPG Dungeon Crawler Carl Series

Matt Dinniman is the author behind Dungeon Crawler Carl, a wildly popular LitRPG series that has taken the fantasy world by storm.

The author’s mix of fast-paced storytelling and video game-style progression has helped define the genre for many readers. Due to its success and popularity, the series grew into eight installments, with the latest title, A Parade of Horribles, published this year.

For his upcoming appearance at Dragonsteel Nexus 2026, Dinniman will be able to talk to fans more about how far LitRPG has come from niche subgenre to mainstream convention favorite. He might also share more about his latest project and his plans for the book series.

Authors Attending Dragonsteel Nexus 2026	Notable Works
Martha Wells	The Murderbot Diaries
S.A. Chakraborty	The Daevabad Trilogy
Sarah Beth Durst	The Spellshop
Matt Dinniman	Dungeon Crawler Carl

Are you attending the Dragonsteel Nexus 2026? Let us know in the comments!

Dragonsteel Nexus 2026 is scheduled for December 3-5, 2026, at the Salt Palace in Salt Lake City, Utah.