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Michael M. Jones

Something noteworthy about your work is the massive interconnectivity. Is Skyward connected to any of your universes or continuities?

Brandon Sanderson

It's connected to a novella I wrote, which explored an interesting premise in faster-than-light travel. I prefer not to publicize which one, because the spoiler at the end of that story related to a twist near the end of Skyward. This isn't connected to my big epic fantasy universe, the Cosmere, for several reasons. First, the way space travel is possible here doesn't work with that setting. Also, this incorporates lore from Earth, and I try to keep Earth and the Cosmere very distinct and separated.

thegatorgirl00

Do you have a name for the Skyward universe that we can use on the Coppermind and in discussion beyond just calling it the Skyward universe?

Brandon Sanderson

I kind of think Skyward Universe is probably the best, for now. I'll ponder this.

thegatorgirl00

If you haven't considered it already, I'd like to bring the term Skyworld or Skyworlds to your attention.

Brandon Sanderson

Ha! That's not bad, though it could get a little confusing if I ever write one of the books I've been planning that literally take place in a world with no ground...

Matthew Tidman

I just finished an ARC of Skyward. Is the world connected to Defending Elysium? There are some vague similarities between the two.

Peter Ahlstrom

The connection is probably as you think.

vanahian

After finishing Skyward trilogy, do you have in mind to write more about this universe?

Brandon Sanderson

I have no current plans for more Skyward, but you know me. I always know where a story would go in the future--and sometimes I find places to put them. (This story, for example, is a continuation of something from years ago.)

simon_thekillerewok

What are the official Brandon-approved names of the Skyward and Legion universes and the Reckoners multiverse?

Brandon Sanderson

Hm. I do need a name for, at least, the Skyward universe. Let me think on that.

Eric Peters

Which universe is [Skyward]?

Peter Ahlstrom

It IS connected to something else Brandon has written. You'll figure it out when you read it.

Questioner [PENDING REVIEW]

Is Skyward in the same universe as Defending Elysium?

Brandon Sanderson [PENDING REVIEW]

It is.

Questioner [PENDING REVIEW]

Are you planning on doing anything else in that universe other than sequels to Skyward?

Brandon Sanderson [PENDING REVIEW]

We'll start with sequels to Skyward, and then we'll see. The idea of biological FTL is so interesting to me that there are a lot of things I can do with that.

Questioner [PENDING REVIEW]

I read Skyward, like, two weeks ago, I finished it in two nights. It was honestly one of my favourite books I've ever read, and I can't wait to see where it goes. 

Brandon Sanderson [PENDING REVIEW]

Thank you! Book two is done. 

Questioner [PENDING REVIEW]

I'm excited to see what... I need to read, uh, about the "Defense of Elysium"?

Brandon Sanderson [PENDING REVIEW]

Yeah, yeah, Defending Elysium, it's free on my website. It'll tie in in ways that you'll find interesting. One of my very first short stories.

Questioner [PENDING REVIEW]

I'm super, super excited to see it. I loved the whole idea of when they're peering into the skies, it's like they're looking back with hatred. It's awesome.

simon_thekillerewok

I just finished my copy of Skyward (I got it at launch, but I've been finishing up your other books) - did the story of The Eyes (Fermi's Paradox space opera novella) end up being rolled into Skyward?

Brandon Sanderson

Yup, it did. I actually still imagine The Eyes mostly being in continuity, with tweaks.

simon_thekillerewok

Is this to say we should expect a tweaked The Eyes novella to come out in the Skyward universe sometime in the future? Or were you just saying that The Eyes was basically the first draft of Skyward?

Brandon Sanderson

I imagine the characters from The Eyes are still around. (You'll see the alien race from the story in the second Skyward book.) It requires a few tweaks because of how humans are regarded, but otherwise, the story could have happened--so maybe I'll eventually finish it and release it.

R'Shara

Hey, is Brandon willing to tell us which universe Skyward is in yet? He said a while aback that it was in a universe (not cosmere) that he'd written before.

Brandon Sanderson

So, here's the thing--it's a pretty big spoiler. Meaning if you know the novella this is tied to (and it's one of the ones mentioned in this thread) you'll know a moderately large plot point in the book.

It's not the type of spoiler that will ruin a story--I do think some readers would enjoy watching how I lace them together. But do be warned that if you haven't read my science fiction novellas, and you hate spoilers, you might want to wait until Skyward is out to read them.

That said, if you know the terminology of the novellas in question, you'll find your answer in chapter seventeen.

ryzvonusef

How much of [Defending Elysium] is canon for Skyward?

Brandon Sanderson

I consider it to be canon, though it's been some time in-world, and a lot has happened. Also, DE doesn't contain the full story, just what those characters knew at that time.

Questioner [PENDING REVIEW]

Is Skyward in the Cosmere?

Brandon Sanderson [PENDING REVIEW]

No, Skyward is not in the Cosmere. It started out there, and I pulled it out for continuity reasons. It is related to something else I’ve written in the past, though.