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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 201-250 of 281 (281 new)
message 201:
by
Lawrence
(new)
Aug 15, 2016 11:26AM
James Patterson
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Obviously, loved Harry Potter. I don't get Patterson, maybe cuz he just cranks them out. He and other writers that he ghosts with. I have only read one of his books. My favorites include Ken Follett, Jeffrey Archer - true story tellers and Lee Child, Harlan Coben.
There is a reason they are the top selling authors. But from this list I I have enjoyed Patterson, Rowling and James. Grisham and Brown are good too. If I had to pick one Patterson would be it.
Out of this lot? If I had to pick one I would say Paula Hawkins did very well to get in here from one book and the movie rights. Behind her Veronica Roth. I am an old-school Stephen King fan, not so much his newer stuff. My son used to adore the Wimpy kid books! This is what all authors aspire to. Go get em'
I'm surprise John LeCarre didn't make the cut. Just goes to show how highly paid writers can be!Of course, the question is 'Who are the world's highest paid authors?', not 'Who is your favourite writer?' While I agree with Jennifer, who wrote 'There is a reason they are the top selling authors', it has to be said that this reason my not the one we expect. One thing I've learned in the wine trade as well as the music industry, is that the easiest thing to sell is mediocrity. The more there is to like about something, the more there is to dislike about it if it's not your thing. Something all the authors listed above have in common is that their 'safe'; ripping good yarns that challenge no one.
Does this include the books JK has written under her pseudonym, Robert Galbraith?
Jae wrote: "From this list, I really love Rick Riordan. I enjoy his retellings/twists on the myths. I have other favorites not listed like Vera Nazaria and John Patrick Kennedy."He's been on my to be read list for quite awhile. I need to thin out that list.
It's absurd to me that James Paterson is worth more than King, or any of these other authors, whom are much writers. Absolutely absurd!!
Definitely J.K. Rowling. James Patterson is a good writer as well even though I haven't read much by him.
Yes, King does his own writing and he doesn't follow a formula. I can't say the same for Patterson.
Martin wrote: "Why is James Patterson making so much more money than number two on the list? I've hardly ever heard of him."Its because he publishes multiple books a year that become bestsellers, and his books are really good. Also, Zoo became a T.V show.
Most of the names on this list I recognize so I am not surprised that they are the top authors. The only one I am suprised that did not make it to the list was Diana Gabaldon. I thought for sure she would be on the list especially since her book is now a TV series!
Sherry wrote: "Yes, King does his own writing and he doesn't follow a formula. I can't say the same for Patterson."I can't stand his books, so basic I find them too simplistic. I have been told also he gets his plots from other writers and things, so not a total SOLO job.
Hmmm like I said before, it's so hard to know who's legit.
Debra wrote: "Most of the names on this list I recognize so I am not surprised that they are the top authors. The only one I am suprised that did not make it to the list was Diana Gabaldon. I thought for sure sh...In Britain 'Outlander' is availlible on Netflix whereas more people watch Sky (satillite tv) and can see 'Game of Thrones'. TV and movies may influence this list (could this explain the absence of Baldacci, Cussler and Andy McDermott (especially the latter. Wilde and Chase are LONG overdue for the big screen)).
Yes, exactly, Di.Di wrote: "I guess if you churn out books by formula and on schedule you get paid more. So many good authors that deserve more pay are missing from this list."
Wish GR had a "like" button. Your post is so true, Ann.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 ..."
Anthony wrote: "the thing that make me think most is would i read them, popular books are cool and so are popular authors and do not get me wrong they last , but its the find in a thrift store or a book shop when ..."I love finding a non-know treasure. That's how I find my favorites. I just pull one off the shelf and it turns out to be golden!
Yaaaaaawwwnnn...What an incredibly boring list. Oh, well. At least people are reading.
Danica wrote: "My favourite author on this list is J.k. Rowling followed very closely by Rick Riordan."
I totally agree! ;)
I totally agree! ;)
Anthony wrote: "shawn is right and the thing is that more and more people are reaidng i always give a book i have finished to a friend that i know that does not read all that much and after a few weeks i asked the..."That's wonderful!
James Patterson... Weird. As a lover of books of fiction - science fiction mostly - I've never heard of him...
#Veronica Roth, Rick Riordan and J,K Rowling all the way, they are AMAZING writers!
How about a Best Independent Authors list/blog, Goodreads? Instead, we have gotten advertising for Oprah and now a blog/list about the same old typical authors we always see and hear about.
Anthony wrote: "Sherry wrote: "Anthony wrote: "shawn is right and the thing is that more and more people are reaidng i always give a book i have finished to a friend that i know that does not read all that much an..."So true.
Denis wrote: "James Patterson... Weird. As a lover of books of fiction - science fiction mostly - I've never heard of him..."we didn't have to know everything in this world..lol
or maybe you saw one or two of his book but don't realize it
Andrew wrote: "Mark Lawrence for me he writes something different. Most of the top list are mass producers 12 books in a year the quality disappears."Snap!
Girl on the train one of the worst book I've ever read.
George RR rips the others to shreds, but King is definitely a strong 2nd. The rest are mediocre.
It astounds me that people STILL read James Patterson. He's been calling it in since about 1994. Idiocracy is in full effect.
Kimberly wrote: "Does this include the books JK has written under her pseudonym, Robert Galbraith?"I don't know, I haven't read any of them. Of course, my post is only an opinion, based on observations gathered throughout my life, and it's only a general rule. Also, don't for a moment think that I'm saying that the ultra-successful writer is automatically a 'bad' writer. It takes great skill and know-how to produce the kind of thing I'm talking about. As a musician, I can tell you writing bubblegum pop is a skill and an art all of its own - which I don't have, and I appreciate the cleverness of those who do. Similarly, producing book after book with a strong hook and a watertight plot that will sell in it's millions is no mean feat. If I was better at being 'mediocre' and 'safe' I'd be a lot more successful than I am, and that's not sour grapes, it's an acknowledgement of those who have a considerable skill which I do not.
Chandré wrote: "The fact that E. L. James makes more money than George R.R. Martin is appalling. What a message about the fools around us."Agreed. It just makes me sad.
Lorenzo wrote: "Kimberly wrote: "Does this include the books JK has written under her pseudonym, Robert Galbraith?"I don't know, I haven't read any of them. Of course, my post is only an opinion, based on observ..."
You're a much kinder person than I. I find the fact that E.L. James and James Patterson are on this list a slap in the face to the other great authors on it. I've read every author on here (some I love, some....not as much), but those two aren't even in the same realm of talent.
My favourite authors on the list are Rick Riordan, J.K. Rowling, and Veronica Ruth. I was surprised Suzzane Collins wasn't there.
Oneida wrote: "Don't know why they didn't put Suzanne Collins (The Hunger Games) on this list, but overall, a pretty good list."I know, right? I was surprised as well. It's probably because she doesn't get paid as much, but I think she should. She's a very good writer.
James Patterson is my favourite. But I also like Nora Roberts & JK Rowling. Too bad Nicholas Sparks, Sandra Brown or Linda Howard isn't listed.
HeatherJay wrote: "Lorenzo wrote: "Kimberly wrote: "Does this include the books JK has written under her pseudonym, Robert Galbraith?"I don't know, I haven't read any of them. Of course, my post is only an opinion,..."
HeatherJay wrote: "Lorenzo wrote: "Kimberly wrote: "Does this include the books JK has written under her pseudonym, Robert Galbraith?"
I don't know, I haven't read any of them. Of course, my post is only an opinion,..."
Someone once said to me 'The scum also rises!' But I'm being harsh. In the end, all any author can do is give pleasure/provoke reactions/edify those who enjoy their work. I'm sure Bevis and Butthead made far more money than William Shakespeare, even in comparative terms, just as I would imagine Dan Brown made more out of 'The Da Vinci Code' than Charles Dickens did from a life-time's writing, but that's the mass-market for you. As I said, nothing sells like mediocrity.
OHHH UNCLE RICK is soooo soo goodpersonal forever favorite
To answer your question which is "who is your favourite of the highest paid authors" and not "who is your favourite author missing from this list" , I am going to pick J.K. and Riordan . I have read several of the other authors over the years , and although individual novels of theirs are among my favourites, as collective works I prefer the two I mentioned. For example I have read 2 from Patterson , non of which I would consider favourites. The rest I have read at least 3 of each with the exception of Jeff Kinney and Paula Hawkins both of whom I have not taken into account. I will say here that I want to read Paula's book in the future so perhaps my answer will change in the future . One of the reason I picked 2 children's authors , (yes I know / have read " Robert Galbraith" but Jo is known for her HP series), is because that I believe that in this day and age of the Internet it is more difficult to hold a child's attention. If an adult will find a book boring it is more likely that they will drudge through it, whilst a child is most likely to put the book down and do something else.
ugh... i hate veronica roth and e.l. james :///
Stephen King, JK Rowling, and George R. R. Martin!
Can James Patterson even be considered a legitimate author? He's a businessman who "writes" commercial fiction. The guy puts out ~13 books a year because he writes the outlines for his stories and has other writers on deck to actually write the books ...
My favorite authors are Rick Riordan and J.K. Rowling, I just can't decide!
