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Presenter: Hello and welcome to BookWorld Today - the program where we introduce you to writers, book illustrators and publishers. Today, however, our guest is none of the above. Matt Taylor is an accountant from New York who has just returned from a fantastic literary event where he was a volunteer. Matt, tell us all about it!

Matt Taylor: Hello! The event is called Dragonsteel Nexus. It’s held annually in

Salt Lake City, Utah, by the outstanding fantasy writer Brandon Sanderson. It’s a huge convention attended by 10,000 visitors and 150 exhibitors from all over the country. It is dedicated to Brandon Sanderson’s books, but he also invites other fantasy authors and illustrators who can promote and sell their art at Dragonsteel.

Presenter: Wait a minute. They use Brandon Sanderson’s name to promote themselves?

Matt Taylor: Yes! Brandon Sanderson is very successful both artistically and financially, so this opportunity is extremely beneficial to all the writers and illustrators who are at the beginning of their careers. They get exposed to huge numbers of avid book-readers.

Presenter: Wow! That’s very generous on Brandon Sanderson’s part. I don’t know any other person in the publishing world who would be so willing to share their fans with potential competitors!

Matt Taylor: Exactly! That’s Brandon Sanderson! He also has very clear and generous rules on copyright when it comes to illustrations and fanfiction, making sure they don’t harm him, while at the same time giving some freedom to writers and illustrators.

Presenter: Amazing! But what was in it for you? Why did you decide to volunteer at Dragonsteel?

Matt Taylor: First of all, we are not called volunteers at Dragonsteel. We are called Squires. This used to be a volunteer position in the past, but now it is a temporary paid position.

Presenter: Even better! So, is it the money that attracts you there?

Matt Taylor: No! I volunteered in the past, even when it was unpaid. I’ve been Brandon Sanderson’s fan for many years. I’ve always wanted to meet him. What makes me happy about his books is that they are written for a wide audience. My wife and son are also big fans, so every time a new book is out, we read it together and discuss it. I know many parents who have difficulty finding common interests with their teens. Brandon Sanderson’s books bring families together. My son is 13, and we always have something to talk about.

Presenter: Aren’t your wife and son jealous that they didn’t get to go to Dragonsteel?

Matt Taylor: But they did! Of course, my wife has an office job, and my son goes to school, but they did fly in on Friday night and spent Saturday at the convention.

Presenter: My last question. You mentioned that you wanted to meet Brandon

Sanderson. Did you get to see him?

Matt Taylor: Oh yes! Although Dragonsteel week is extremely busy for him, he makes sure to stop by every exhibitor’s table the day before the convention begins and exchange a couple of words with them, and he also talks to us Squires. But this year I was especially lucky! Two days before the opening, he had to sign all the books that were to be sold at the convention, so we had to do it very quickly. One person would get the book out of the box, another would open it to the right page, another would hand it to Brandon, another would take the signed copy and so on. Well, I was the one he handed the book to once he’d signed it. We had a lovely chat while doing it!

Presenter: How cool is that! Thank you, Matt, for sharing your experience with our listeners, and perhaps inspiring them to apply for a Squire position next year!

Matt Taylor: Thank you!

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