In the case of the Wheel of Time series, Robert Jordan's wife Harriet picked Brandon Sanderson to write the last book after her husband died. It was Robert's wish that the series be finished.
https://www.brandonsanderson.com/wheel-of-time-faq/
Quote:
Question: Why did they pick you?
I wish with all I can give that I weren’t the one doing this book. I wish it were Robert Jordan himself, as I am a long time fan of the series and his works. I think his death is a tragedy for the fantasy community, one we will be feeling for many years to come.
However, he made it clear that he wanted this book written. After his death, his wife read through novels by several authors whom Tom Doherty (the C.E.O. of Tor) and others had suggested. She enjoyed my books, and choose me—partially because of my novels, and partially because she had read my eulogy of Mr. Jordan and knew that I was a big fan and follower of the series.
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