World’s Top 10 Earning Authors: So it’s no news the world of “art” reports quite some interest sums. Being a painter, a writer or a musician might have implied once a bohemian lifestyle, with no more than some pennies in the pockets. But these days, contemporary societies with massive consumption, globalization and communications, have taken the chances of becoming a world-known artist to another level; and featuring your video online might just be your ticket to fame, if you hit the spot.
Yet, on the other hand, some “arts” seem to have fallen behind with the tech trends, and entertainment habits. Of course a piece of art is still something highly valuated, and a canvas can reach stunning sums, as we featured last week on our list 10 Most Expensive Works of Art of All Time. This week we are interested on other field. What has happened with books? How much can an author earn these days?
Apparently, people are still reading! Of course, the main books to reach the “best seller” category are those with a mass commercial appeal. So, if you are planning to release your new novel, check out this list of top earning authors and get a hint on how you should unfold the plot.
No. 10 Top Earning Author: Stephen King – $20 million
American writer Stephen King, dedicated to writing suspense and science fiction books, has sold more than 350 million copies during his life. His best sold books are “Under the Dome,” and “The Shining”. Among other prices, King has received the World Horror Grandmaster Price, at the World Horror Convention 1992, the Hugo Award in 1982, for Danse Macabre, the World Fantasy Award for Lifetime Achievement, in 2004 at the World Fantasy Award Convention, and the Grand Master Award from the Mystery Writers of America in 2007. His best sold book granted him $20 million.
No. 9 Top Earning Author: Dan Brown — $22 million
Daniel Brown is an American thriller fiction author, who became well known after releasing its novel “The Da Vinci Code”. Brown tells stories filled with conspiracy theories, cryptography, symbols and codes. Its books have reached a very large amount of fans, and two of them have been turned into films: The Da Vinci Code, and Angels & Demons. With more than 200 million books sold last year, this author has earned more than $22 million with its best sold book. A color fact: not everything is conspiracy and mystery: Brown has written two humor books with his wife under the pseudonym Danielle Brown: 187 Men to Avoid: A Survival Guide for the Romantically Frustrated Woman and The Bald Book.
No. 8 Top Earning Author: Nora Roberts — $23 million
Every romantic personal has felt at home with Nora Roberts’ books. With more than 209 romance novels, and writing under different pseudonyms, Roberts was the first author to reach the Romance Writers of America Hall of Fame. “Thankless in Death,” and “Dark Witch” are two of the author’s most popular books. Having earned more than $23 million with its best sold book, Roberts has been included on the Giving Back Fund’s annual list of the most philanthropic celebrities.
No. 7 Top Earning Author: Janet Evanovich — $24 million
Janet Evanovich’s first pseudonym was Steffie Hall, writer of contemporary romance novels. Yet this approach didn’t give her the public’s response she would get when developing a series of contemporary mysteries featuring Stephanie Plum. After finishing her twelfth romance she realized that she was more interested in writing some action sequences, more adventurous, scenes in her novels, rather than the sex scenes. Her editors were not interested in her change of heart, so she had to produce a very appealing manuscript in order to get her publisher’s attention on what she actually wanted to write. She got it right and her bestselling book has reached the sum of $24 million.
No. 6 Top Earning Author: Jeff Kinney — $24 million
This American Author of children’s books became famous and renowned after writing the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. Kinney has created a popular comic strip, and three films were produced after the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series. In 2011 Kinney filed a lawsuit against Antarctic Press over a book titled Diary of a Zombie Kid. This Kinney received $24 million for the best sold book of the “Diary of a Wimpy kid” series.
No. 5 Danielle Steel — $26 million
Danielle Fernandes Dominique Schuelein-Steel is considered to be one of the fourth bestselling authors of all time, with over 800 million copies sold. She has produced more than one book per year, featuring love stories, with some dark element, such as a family crisis, a fraud, blackmailing or suicide. Her books have been translated into 28 languages, and had 22 books adapted for television. She has earned more than $26 million for her best-selling book. Steel also writes children’s fiction and poetry.
No. 4 Bill O’Reilly — $28 million
This American television host has dedicated part of his time to writing some of the most intriguing political-fiction books. He has written 10 books, and earned with the bestseller “Killing Lincoln” $28 million. This book on a shocking assassination that changed America forever, was written by O’Reilly and Martin Dugard. Yet this author’s private life is quite controversial, as he sued in 2004 a former producer of The O’Reilly Factor, Andrea Mackris, with extortion charges, alleging that she had threatened a lawsuit unless he paid her more than $60 million. Consequently, Mackris sued O’Reilly for sexual harassment. Finally, they reached an out-of-court settlement and dropped all charges against each other.
No. 3 Suzanne Collins — $55 million
This American writer has produced novels and television series. Her best known work is the series of The hunger games, Catching Fire, and Mockingjay, which has reported her large earnings, reaching $55 million. She has received several awards, such as the Top 10 Best Books For Young Adult award, of the American Library Association, and the Fantasy and Science Fiction award, of the CYBIL Awards.
No. 2 James Patterson — $91 million
American writer James B. Patterson reached the top charts with his Alex Cross series, a series of novels about a fictional psychologist. He has also written Women’s Murder Club, Maximum Ride, Daniel X, and Witch and Wizard series. With more than 300 million copies sold, Patterson has earned $91 million with its best sold series. Patterson has had more than 10 books adapted into films, such as “Cross”, distributed by Summit Entertainment, and dieted by Rob Cohen, featuring one of Patterson’s novels.
No. 1 Top Earning Author: E.L. James — $95 million
This British author has definitely kicked-ass with her erotic romance novels. With more than 35 million copies sold in the US and over 70 million copies around the globe, this author is considered one of the fastest selling paperback authors of all time. Her kinky trilogy raked in $95 million from sales, and made $5 million for her seal of approval on a film adaptation. In 2012, Time magazine named her one of “The World’s 100 Most Influential People.”
