History of The Wheel of Time in Timeline
The Wheel of Time is a high fantasy series by Robert Jordan, later co-written with Brandon Sanderson. Initially planned as a trilogy, it expanded to 14 main volumes, a prequel, and companion books. After Jordan's death in 2007, Sanderson used his extensive notes to complete the series, expanding the final book into three volumes: *The Gathering Storm*, *Towers of Midnight*, and *A Memory of Light*. The series is a significant work in the fantasy genre.
1984: Robert Jordan starts writing The Eye of the World
In 1984, Robert Jordan began writing The Eye of the World, the first book in The Wheel of Time series.
1988: Late stage of writing The Eye of the World
By late 1988, Robert Jordan was still writing The Eye of the World, with characters and storylines still changing.
1989: Robert Jordan finishes writing The Eye of the World
In early 1989, Robert Jordan finished writing The Eye of the World. He also completed the second volume, The Great Hunt, around the same time the first book was published.
1990: Publication of The Eye of the World
In 1990, The Eye of the World, the first novel in The Wheel of Time series, was published. The story begins with Moiraine Damodred's arrival in Emond's Field, warning of the Dark One's servants seeking Rand, Perrin, and Mat.
1990: The Great Hunt Book Released
In 1990, The Great Hunt was released, as the second book in the series.
1991: The Dragon Reborn Book Released
In 1991, The Dragon Reborn was released, as the third book in the series.
1992: The Shadow Rising Book Released
In 1992, The Shadow Rising was released, as the fourth book in the series.
1993: Operation of Wheel of Time MUD
Since 1993, A Wheel of Time MUD (WoTMUD) has been in operation almost continuously. It is based on a world like that of the Wheel of Time but set around 30 world years prior.
1994: Publication of Lord of Chaos
In 1994, Lord of Chaos, the sixth novel in The Wheel of Time series, was published. The book highlights the nearing of the Last Battle as only three Seals remain intact.
November 1997: Publication of The World of Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time
In November 1997, Tor Books published The World of Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time, a companion book co-authored by Robert Jordan and Teresa Patterson, containing background information about the series.
1998: Publication of New Spring Short Story
In 1998, Robert Jordan wrote a short story entitled "New Spring" for the Legends anthology edited by Robert Silverberg.
1999: Release of The Wheel of Time Computer Game
In 1999, A computer game named The Wheel of Time was released, with a storyline where Aes Sedai track down a robber and prevent the Dark One's premature release.
2001: Wheel of Time Content Track at Dragon Con
From 2001, Dragon Con featured an exclusive 'Wheel of Time' content track.
2001: Release of The Wheel of Time Roleplaying Game
In 2001, The Wheel of Time Roleplaying Game was released from Wizards of the Coast using the d20 rules developed for the third edition of the Dungeons & Dragons game.
2002: Repackaging of The Eye of the World
In 2002, The Eye of the World was repackaged as two volumes with new illustrations for younger readers, From the Two Rivers and To the Blight.
2002: Publication of Prophecies of the Dragon
In 2002, a single adventure module, Prophecies of the Dragon, was published for The Wheel of Time Roleplaying Game. Shortly after, Wizards of the Coast announced they would not be releasing any further products for the game.
January 2004: Publication of New Spring Novel
In January 2004, Robert Jordan expanded the short story "New Spring" into a stand-alone novel.
2004: Sale of Film, Television, Video Game, and Comic Rights
In 2004, Jordan sold the film, television, video game, and comic rights to The Wheel of Time series to Red Eagle Entertainment.
2004: Repackaging of The Great Hunt
In 2004, The Great Hunt was repackaged as two parts, The Hunt Begins and New Threads in the Pattern.
July 2005: Dabel Brothers began adapting the series
In July 2005, Dabel Brothers began adapting the series in comic book form, starting with the prequel New Spring.
December 2005: Robert Jordan's Diagnosis
In December 2005, Robert Jordan was diagnosed with the terminal heart disease primary amyloidosis with cardiomyopathy. Despite his diagnosis, he intended to finish A Memory of Light and prepared notes for someone else to complete it if necessary.
2005: Beginning of Companion Book Compilation
In 2005, Alan Romanczuk and Maria Simons began compiling material for the series glossary The Wheel of Time Companion.
September 2007: Robert Jordan's Death and Sanderson's Selection
In September 2007, Robert Jordan passed away, leaving the conclusion of The Wheel of Time series in question. On December 7th of that year, Tor Books announced that Brandon Sanderson would finish A Memory of Light, chosen by Jordan's widow Harriet McDougal.
2007: Robert Jordan's Death
In 2007, Robert Jordan, the author of The Wheel of Time series, passed away while working on what was intended to be the twelfth and final volume. He left behind extensive notes, which later enabled Brandon Sanderson to complete the series.
2008: Universal Pictures optioned The Eye of the World for film adaptation
In 2008, Universal Pictures optioned The Eye of the World for film adaptations, with plans for the first film to adapt the book.
March 2009: A Memory of Light Split into Three Volumes
In March 2009, Tor Books announced that A Memory of Light would be split into three volumes due to its length. Brandon Sanderson estimated it would take several years to write and reach 800,000 words.
March 2009: Dabel Brothers showcase art for The Wheel of Time: Eye of the World #0
On March 17, 2009, Dabel Brothers showcased ten pages of art from the prelude to the comic series "The Wheel of Time: Eye of the World #0 – Dragonmount" on their website.
2009: Publication of The Gathering Storm
In 2009, The Gathering Storm, the first of the final three volumes of The Wheel of Time, was published. This book was co-written by Brandon Sanderson using Robert Jordan's notes.
2009: EA Games Buys Rights for MMORPG
In early 2009, EA Games announced that they had bought the rights for a Wheel of Time MMORPG, planning to publish it through the EA Partners-Program.
2009: JordanCon Founded
Since 2009, The Wheel of Time has its own annual convention, JordanCon, held annually in Atlanta, Georgia.
2010: Publication of Towers of Midnight
In 2010, Towers of Midnight, the second of the final three volumes of The Wheel of Time, was published. This book was co-written by Brandon Sanderson using Robert Jordan's notes.
2012: End of Wheel of Time Content Track at Dragon Con
Dragon Con's exclusive 'Wheel of Time' content track ended in 2012.
March 2013: Conclusion of The Eye of the World Comic Book Series
In March 2013, Dynamite Entertainment published the final issue of Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time: The Eye of the World comic book series, concluding after 35 issues.
2013: Publication of A Memory of Light
In 2013, A Memory of Light, the final volume of The Wheel of Time series, was published. This book was co-written by Brandon Sanderson using Robert Jordan's notes.
2013: Release of River of Souls
In 2013, River of Souls, a canonical segment removed from A Memory of Light due to pacing, was released in the first volume of Unfettered anthologies.
2013: Tarmon Gai'don Depiction
In 2013, Tarmon Gai'don, The Last Battle, is depicted in the fourteenth and final novel, A Memory of Light.
2013: McDougal Interview Regarding Comics
In a 2013 interview, Harriet McDougal discussed the potential continuation of The Wheel of Time comics, stating that they would continue "unless it stops selling in a dreadful way".
2014: MMORPG Project Dropped
Around 2014, the Wheel of Time MMORPG project being developed by Obsidian Entertainment for PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, and PC, was seemingly dropped.
February 2015: Red Eagle Entertainment Aired Winter Dragon
In February 2015, Red Eagle Entertainment aired 'Winter Dragon,' a low-budget pilot for a potential 'The Wheel of Time' series on FXX to retain the series rights. Harriet McDougal initially claimed unawareness, triggering a slander lawsuit that was later dismissed. The film rights to The Wheel of Time were set to revert to the Bandersnatch Group a few days later on 11 February 2015.
February 2015: Release of Graphic Novels Collection
In February 2015, The 43 New Spring and Eye of the World comics were collected together and released as a series of six graphic novels, with the last one being released.
November 2015: Release of The Wheel of Time Companion
In November 2015, The Wheel of Time Companion: The People, Places, and History of the Bestselling Series was released in hardback format, written by Harriet McDougal, Alan Romanczuk, and Maria Simons from Tor Books.
2015: Release of The Wheel of Time Companion
In 2015, The Wheel of Time Companion, a glossary to the series, was released.
April 2016: Legal Issues Resolved and Television Series in Development
On April 29, 2016, Harriet McDougal confirmed that the legal issues with Red Eagle Entertainment had been resolved, and that a television series was in development.
April 2017: New Adaptation Announced
On April 20, 2017, a new adaptation of the series was announced, produced by Sony Pictures Television in association with Red Eagle Entertainment and Radar Pictures, with Rafe Judkins as showrunner and executive producer.
February 2018: Amazon Studios Co-Develops the Series
In February 2018, Amazon Studios announced a deal with Sony Pictures Television to co-develop the series for distribution on its streaming service, Amazon Prime Video.
October 2018: Series Formally Greenlit
In October 2018, the series was formally greenlit for production.
September 2019: Principal Photography Begins
On September 16, 2019, principal photography for the first season began.
2019: Publication of A Fire Within the Ways
In 2019, A Fire Within the Ways, a section of A Memory of Light, was published in Unfettered III. Unlike River of Souls, A Fire Within the Ways is not considered canon.
2019: Release of A Fire in the Ways
In 2019, A Fire in the Ways, a non-canon alternate sequence of events around the climax of the final book, was included in the third volume of Unfettered anthologies.
March 2020: Production Halted Due to COVID-19
In March 2020, production for the first season was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
2020: JordanCon Cancelled Due to COVID-19
The 2020 JordanCon convention was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, it took place over the Internet, some aspects being held through the use of the Zoom platform.
April 2021: Production Resumes
By April 2021, production for the first season had resumed.
May 2021: First Season Production Concludes and Series Renewed
In May 2021, principal photography for the first season concluded and Amazon renewed the series for a second season ahead of the series premiere on May 20, 2021.
July 2021: Filming for the Second Season Began
On July 19, 2021, filming for the second season began.
November 2021: The Wheel of Time Premiered
On November 19, 2021, The Wheel of Time premiered.
2021: Series Sales Figures
As of 2021, the series has sold over 90 million copies worldwide, making it one of the best-selling epic fantasy series since The Lord of the Rings.
2021: Premiere of The Wheel of Time TV adaptation
In 2021, The Wheel of Time television adaptation premiered on Amazon Prime Video.
February 2022: Filming for the Second Season Concluded
In February 2022, filming for the second season concluded.
July 2022: Inaugural WoTCon took place in Dublin, OH
A new convention titled WoTCon took place from July 8–10, 2022, in Dublin, OH. This convention was created to be dedicated to the world of The Wheel of Time in all media aspects: novels, social media, and the television series.
July 2022: Series Renewed for a Third Season
On July 21, 2022, ahead of the second-season premiere, Amazon renewed the series for a third season.
November 2022: Release of Origins of The Wheel of Time
In November 2022, Origins of The Wheel of Time by Michael Livingston was released.
July 2023: Second WoTCon took place
The second WoTCon convention took place from July 14–16, 2023.
September 2023: Second Season Premiered
On September 1, 2023, the second season premiered, combining elements from The Great Hunt (1990) and The Dragon Reborn (1991).
November 2023: Dynamite Begins Publishing The Great Hunt Comic Adaptation
In November 2023, Dynamite began publishing the comic adaptation Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time: The Great Hunt.
2023: Sanderson Rules Out Additional Wheel of Time Works
In a 2023 blog post, Brandon Sanderson stated that writing additional Wheel of Time works would go against the wishes of Robert Jordan, as Jordan left very little in the way of notes for additional novels.
2023: 15th Anniversary of JordanCon
The 2023 convention in April was the 15th anniversary of the founding of JordanCon.
March 2025: Third Season Premiered
On March 13, 2025, the third season premiered, combining elements from The Dragon Reborn (1991) and The Shadow Rising (1992).
May 23, 2025: Amazon Canceled the series after three seasons
On May 23, 2025, Amazon canceled the series after three seasons.
2025: The Wheel of Time TV Adaptation End Date
In 2025, The Wheel of Time television adaptation ended after three seasons on Amazon Prime Video.
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