Dragonsteel 2025 Recap
Kvetha Fricaya! Greetings Friends!
Just a couple weekends ago, I had the pleasure of attending Dragonsteel
Nexus 2025 down in Salt Lake City. And let me tell you, Brandon
Sanderson and his team sure know how to put on a show!
The vibe was great: folks were friendly and welcoming (guests and
staff alike), and the amount of enthusiasm everyone had for
something was infectious. Brandon’s works were front and center,
of course, but Pierce Brown was also in attendance, as well as Matt
Dinniman, Brent Weeks, Ryan Cahill, and so many other awesome
authors.
As with so many conventions, I had a blast getting to talk with
readers. It’s always humbling to hear how the books have touched
or changed people’s lives. There was even a young lady who was
named Arya!
In a first for me, I had a story, Unity, published in a con-exclusive book. That book, Grimoire, was released by Grim Oak Press, and I believe it sold out in the first day! Wow! I think I signed most of the copies folks had . . . and I completely forgot to get my own edition signed by the other authors. Ah well. Another time.
Aside from the signings and the panels and the interviews and the amazing Worldhoppers Ball, there was also swordfighting! Not only did I get to swing some foam swords in an interview with Jackson Bimrose, but after over twenty years of attending various cons, I finally broke down and bought some proper lightsabers. Now, did I spend a solid three hours dueling authors and readers in the aisles? Maaaaybe:
And did I ambush Bryce O’Connor, head of Wraithmarked
Creative? You’re darn right I did:
And did I also ambush Ryan Cahill and go at it hammer-and-tongs
with him? YES! Because he’s wrong about Mushu! (We had a
STUPENDOUS argument about wyverns vs dragons on our shared
panel.)
Also, pro-tip: Christopher Ruocchio does NOT mess around when
it comes to sparring. I was trying to fight more in a broadsword
style, he was going all proper fencing on me. Lol. Thanks for the
duel, man!
All-in-all, I had an absolutely wonderful time at Dragonsteel. If
you were able to attend, I hope you did as well. I might have to
bring my sabers to the next con I go to!
As for me, it’s back to working on scripts, as well as Tales
from Alagaësia Vol. 2. If you’ve not heard, it’s turning into a fairly
large book (at least, compared to the first one). I’m excited for you
to read it. So. Much. Lore.
All the best from Montana,
Christopher Paolini
December, 2025 GST
p.s. Be sure to check my events page regularly for any upcoming appearances.
Dragonsteel 2025 Recap
