Book Four: Rhythm of War

This is the preface and acknowledgments section of Rhythm of War, Book Four of the Stormlight Archive. Sanderson thanks his editorial team, publishers, agents, company staff, artists, and beta readers who contributed to the book's creation over a ten-year span of the series.

Sanderson opens by expressing pride in presenting Rhythm of War as the fourth book in the Stormlight Archive, noting that the series has been in development for over ten years and that one major scene in this book was imagined over twenty years ago. He explains his vision of the series as two sets of five books with two major arcs, and indicates that the sequence is approaching its conclusion. He then provides extensive acknowledgments, beginning with his editorial team at Tor Books, particularly new editor Devi Pillai who replaced longtime editor Moshe Feder, and the UK publisher Gollancz. He thanks the audio narrators Michael Kramer and Kate Reading for their continued work on the fifty-plus-hour series. Sanderson acknowledges his agent Joshua Bilmes and the team at his company Dragonsteel Entertainment, including his wife Emily, Peter Ahlstrom, and Isaac Stewart (to whom the book is dedicated). He expresses particular gratitude to the artists who contributed to the book, highlighting Michael Whelan's cover illustration and commissioning of the remaining Herald portraits by various artists including Donato, Miranda Meeks, Karla Ortiz, and Magali Villeneuve. He notes the contributions of fashion plate artist Dan dos Santos and full-time team member Ben McSweeney. Sanderson thanks subject matter experts including martial arts consultant Shad Brooks and mental illness expert Britt Martin. Finally, he acknowledges his writing group members and an extensive list of beta and gamma readers who provided feedback during the book's development, explaining that these readers sacrifice experiencing the finished book in its best form to help improve it for all readers.