Fact check: Why did a journalist write a hit piece on Brandon Sanderson?

1. Summary of the results

The question refers to a specific article written by Jason Kehe for Wired magazine titled "Brandon Sanderson Is Your God," published on March 24, 2023 ^[1]. While the original question characterizes it as a "hit piece," the reality is more complex. The article was indeed highly critical and dismissive of Sanderson, both as an author and as a person ^[1], and included criticisms of his writing style, personality, and Mormon faith ^[1].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

• The article sparked significant backlash on social media, with many users criticizing Kehe's tone as pretentious and disrespectful ^[1].
• Notably, Sanderson's response was gracious - he acknowledged the critique and specifically asked his fans not to attack Kehe, describing him as a "sincere man" despite the controversial profile ^[1].
• There are legitimate technical criticisms of Sanderson's writing, particularly regarding the expansion of story scope and perspective characters in the Stormlight Archive series, similar to challenges faced by other epic fantasy authors like George R.R. Martin ^[2].
• The article appears to be more of a broader commentary on fantasy writing, fan communities, and "nerd culture" rather than just a critique of Sanderson ^[3].

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

• The term "hit piece" in the original question presupposes malicious intent, when the article might be better characterized as an overly critical profile that failed to maintain professional objectivity ^[4].
• Several competing interests are at play:
• Traditional literary establishments often benefit from maintaining a dismissive attitude toward fantasy literature and its authors ^[5]
• The article appears to represent an "outdated attitude toward fantasy writers and fans" ^[5]
• The criticism extends beyond just Sanderson's writing to include his faith and the broader fantasy fan community ^[3], suggesting potential cultural biases