A prolific writer of the "Home Literature" period of LDS fiction, Anderson published ten novels including the bestselling Added Upon (1898), as well as short stories, poetry, essays, and a history of the Church for young people.

His parents, Christian and Petronella Nielson, had joined the LDS Church only a few years before his birth and in 1871 they emigrated to Utah Territory, United States.

Returning to Utah in 1906, Anderson moved his family to Salt Lake City and secured a position as instructor of English and Missionary Studies at Latter-day Saints High School.

Although he is well known for his particular style of early LDS fiction, his first published book was the non-fiction title, A Young Folks' History of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (1889).

"[3][4] During the last three decades of his life, Anderson would write ten novels and numerous short stories, all involving LDS characters and storyline.