Brandon Sanderson announces new Cosmere novel, The Fires of December.

Fans of Brandon Sanderson are likely familiar with two key facts: he’s always busy with new projects, and sometimes those projects are kept under wraps. This has been confirmed once again with the announcement of his latest secret endeavor, a new novel titled *The Fires of December*.

Unveiled at Dragonsteel Nexus 2025, on Instagram, and via the crowdfunding platform BackerKit, *The Fires of December* is part of a new Dragonsteel crowdfunding initiative called Hoid’s Storybook Collection. This collection features four picture books that tell stories from Hoid, a mysterious character who frequently appears in the Cosmere universe. The stories include *Wandersail*, *The Dog and the Dragon*, *The Girl Who Looked Up*, and *The Chasmfriends Get A Pet*, among others. Sanderson’s previous crowdfunding campaign set impressive records.

Regarding *The Fires of December*, this standalone novel is set within the Cosmere, the intricate multiverse where Sanderson’s narratives unfold across various worlds, often linked by characters. The book is slated for release next year.

Alongside a sneak peek of the book’s cover, designed by Tran Nguyen, Sanderson shared the following description:

In this upcoming standalone Cosmere novel, Hoid has an epic tale to tell: In a forgotten land sustained by vibrant rivers of demon blood, a young woman named December discovers a devastating plague is approaching. But who will heed her warning? Against overwhelming odds, she embarks on a journey up the River Violet to alert the king’s court, her determination—and wisdom beyond her years—shining brightly. Along the way, she’ll face skeptical royal officials, tangled court politics, and a charming count, relying only on her wits and her newfound allies: a loquacious priestess and an aspiring fashion designer.

The beloved Cosmere setting even has its own tabletop RPG, making the arrival of a new novel with a fresh protagonist particularly thrilling. The name December also sparks speculation—could it hint at Hoid visiting a version of Earth that hasn’t been explored in the Cosmere? Only time will reveal the answer.

During the Dragonsteel Nexus convention, Sanderson read the first chapter of December’s story. For fans who missed the live reading, it will be available through Sanderson’s newsletter, which can be subscribed to for free.

What can readers anticipate?

“There are more terrible things that have happened to Hoid,” Sanderson noted. “These are the stories of Hoid’s Travails, in which terrible things happen to Hoid, and he tells you about them.” Sounds intriguing—count us in!