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Who Are the World's Highest-Paid Authors?
Forbes just released its annual list of the world's highest-paid authors, and together they earned a whopping $269 million over the last 12 months.
Topping the list—no surprises here—is James Patterson, whose fiercely prolific output has made the 69-year-old one of the world's bestselling author with more than 350 million books sold. Between June 2015 and June 2016, the thriller writer published more than a dozen titles and his pre-tax earnings for the year topped $94 million.
In a distant second place is children's author Jeff Kinney, the Diary of a Wimpy Kid creator, who made $19.5 million in the past year.
Coming in third is J.K. Rowling with $19 million. Continued sales of her Harry Potter books, the new play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, as well as Universal's Harry Potter theme parks contributed to her earnings.
The list was compiled using estimated income from sales of books, ebooks, and audiobooks as well as money from television and film adaptations.
Other familiar names on the list are John Grisham, Stephen King, Danielle Steele, and Nora Roberts. The only newcomer this year is Paula Hawkins, whose bestselling The Girl on the Train, and subsequent film deal, earned her $10 million.
Here is the Forbes list in full with some Goodreads suggestions from each author.
James Patterson—$95 million
Jeff Kinney—$19.5 million
J.K. Rowling—$19 million
John Grisham—$18 million
Stephen King—$15 million
Danielle Steele—$15 million
Nora Roberts—$15 million
E.L. James—$14 million
Veronica Roth—$10 million
John Green—$10 million
Paula Hawkins—$10 million
George R.R. Martin—$9.5 million
Dan Brown—$9.5 million
Rick Riordan—$9.5 million
Who's your favorite highest-paid author?
Topping the list—no surprises here—is James Patterson, whose fiercely prolific output has made the 69-year-old one of the world's bestselling author with more than 350 million books sold. Between June 2015 and June 2016, the thriller writer published more than a dozen titles and his pre-tax earnings for the year topped $94 million.
In a distant second place is children's author Jeff Kinney, the Diary of a Wimpy Kid creator, who made $19.5 million in the past year.
Coming in third is J.K. Rowling with $19 million. Continued sales of her Harry Potter books, the new play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, as well as Universal's Harry Potter theme parks contributed to her earnings.
The list was compiled using estimated income from sales of books, ebooks, and audiobooks as well as money from television and film adaptations.
Other familiar names on the list are John Grisham, Stephen King, Danielle Steele, and Nora Roberts. The only newcomer this year is Paula Hawkins, whose bestselling The Girl on the Train, and subsequent film deal, earned her $10 million.
Here is the Forbes list in full with some Goodreads suggestions from each author.
James Patterson—$95 million
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Who's your favorite highest-paid author?
Comments Showing 51-100 of 281 (281 new)
message 51:
by
Yared
(new)
Aug 12, 2016 03:36PM
YASS Rick Riordan is on here!
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Ann wrote: "Some of the best books I have ever read were by unknown authors who have never made it to the best selling list of books and authors. Great authors write for the joy of storytelling and passing on ..."I was happy to see this post as I fully agree with it.
J wrote: "I read for the story content. I occasionally scan the best sellers lists but rarely find anything that interests me. I guess I'm a bit of a rogue reader since I pretty much ignore the latest readin..."Memoirs are by far the most unique. You gain a broader perspective of what it's like to be in someone else's skin. I've read memoirs from many corners of the globe. Memoir authors sadly have to try another genre if they are going to make it to the top, unless they're already at the top to begin with.
I also love historical fiction based on facts.
Annette wrote: "J wrote: "I read for the story content. I occasionally scan the best sellers lists but rarely find anything that interests me. I guess I'm a bit of a rogue reader since I pretty much ignore the lat..."Memoirs and biographies are also my great passion. I devour them for many decades already. Historical fiction is in a way close as a genre to it and Iread much of it too. I am with you, Annette!
Nothing surprising. A lot of derivative and in at least one case I suspect plagiarism. A lot of shadow-writers were also employed in the making of this list. James Patterson and Nora Roberts on their own could start a touch football league just with their shadow writers.
Stephen King without a doubt, followed by J.K. Rowling and John Grisham.
It's wonderful to see that people can still bond over a simple discussion of a question about books , we are all so different in opinions and choices ,that's what makes the joy of reading so great. We don't have to agree on who likes a particular book or if that book is on the best seller's list just enjoy the experience of reading.As for me I just enjy being unique and don't follow what's popular. If it's well written and has that special something that speaks to me that is what I like.
I'm surprised Martin isn't higher on the list. Sadly, it just illustrates how far out of the loop I am as none of my favourite authors are here. Time to climb back under my rock.
Stephen King and Paula Hawkins I'm 'so' happy
made the list!!!*edited for accidentally adding duplicate name/link
Sandra wrote: "Dean Koontz"YES! and Deaver. I just clicked on the Forbes link and a couple I have no idea who they are. Would love to have seen Koontz listed.
Larry wrote: "None of these are among my 40 favorite writers. I like Steinbeck, Tony Hillerman, Bill Bryson, David Rosenfelt and many others."Steinbeck is one of my favorites top, but I think the list only counts if the author is alive.
" He wrote over 12 books this year."Jeez, I can barely write one.
David wrote: "Oy, where to start, GR forcing us to focus on rich authors on our own home pages... and the relationship of the 1% authors to the rest of us who are authors and readers... though I do know they are..."PLEASE GOODREADS DONT FORCE THIS MAN TO READ POPULAR AUTHORS! THEY ARE LIKE..LIKE EVERYWHERE! WHY! CAN SOMEONE PLEASE STOP THIS MADNESS??!! SPARE THIS MAN!
As as author I love to read, it's got to be J.K Rowling. But as a writer whose quality I aspire to emulate, there's no one to top Stephen King.I love the fact that 2 of the top 3 are children's authors with Rick Riordan appearing further down the list. It gives me hope that children are still reading books.
Katherine wrote: "As as author I love to read, it's got to be J.K Rowling. But as a writer whose quality I aspire to emulate, there's no one to top Stephen King.I love the fact that 2 of the top 3 are children's au..."
So true what you said about children reading books. It's heartbreaking when children and even far too many adults laugh at the thought. Brush it off as "boring", "absurd", "a waste of time" or just literally laugh out loud when you mention it. So very sad.....
I'd have loved to have seen Ken Follet, John Steinbeck, Ted Dekker, and Jodi Picoult listed. But, if it's just about pushing books and numbers than they wouldn't fall into that category, I guess. If it's about writing alone and not sales/how many books written than the above names and earlier I mentioned Deaver and Koontz would have been great to see listed. Either way I think it's a great list for the topic.
John Grisham, followed very closely by J. K. Rowling.
I would choose JK Rowling and Stephen King, but my son would choose Rick Riordan and Jeff Kinney. Good to see these children's authors on the list - the next generation must be doing a lot of reading.
John Green and JK Rowling out of these...although my very favourite will always be Cassandra Clare...
The fact that E. L. James makes more money than George R.R. Martin is appalling. What a message about the fools around us.
and now you should put it in relation on how many books they published :)
Oneida wrote: "Don't know why they didn't put Suzanne Collins (The Hunger Games) on this list, but overall, a pretty good list."The list is a fairly objective measure of declared income. Suzanne Collins was mentioned in the article along with Gillian Flynn who were just outside the top 10 earners.
That said it seems to only measure income within the United States. I imagine there are a few Chinese and Indian authors who earn more than some on the list. Honestly, I kind of wonder whether there are authors of Manga who would put put a dent in the English speaking contingent.
A lot of these authors are also the answer to the question: "Which authors have the most books/series optioned as TV shows/movies?"
Not my favourite author by any means but you have to be impressed that Paula Hawkins made this list with only one book for sale. Good on her!!
Can't believe Patterson's number, and it's so much larger than the rest. Where's Lee Child. I know he sells books.
Di wrote: "I guess if you churn out books by formula and on schedule you get paid more."Clearly you don't follow George R.R. Martin.
Stephen King, E.L. James, J.K. Rowling, and Danielle Steel. I just started getting into the other authors.
Where is Diana Gabaldon, Outlander? I thought she would have made this list.
Igor wrote: "Annette wrote: "J wrote: "I read for the story content. I occasionally scan the best sellers lists but rarely find anything that interests me. I guess I'm a bit of a rogue reader since I pretty muc..."I go by Annie, J
I read all the autobiographies on the library shelves as a teen.
Some memoirs are not interesting, and some are amazing, but the only book of Stephen King's I founf interesting was On Writing which included part memoir.
WHY IS JEFF KINNEY ON THIS LIST?! He may be rich, but he's not a good author.
JK Rowling!!!! So sad that Jeff Kinney is higher than her!!!!!! :(
14mio with really bad fanfiction... this world is nuts.
sucks that none of these are people of color :(
GAME OF THRONES'I NEDEN KİMSE ALMIYOR??KENDİNİZİ MAHRUM ETMEYİN.
CİDDEN MÜKEMMEL.
Where are all my Percy Jackson nerds?!? Rick Riordan, always.
