‘Forbes’ releases list of top-earning authors

Forbes has released its annual list of the world’s top-earning authors. James Patterson is at the top of the list earning US$90 million (A$97 million) over the past 12 months, which brings his total career earnings to US$700 million (A$754 million) over the past decade. Patterson releases 14 books per year with the help of co-authors and has sold more than 300 million copies since his debut in 1976. The list continues with Dan Brown in second place, earning US$28 million (A$30 million) over the past 12 months; third is Nora Roberts (US$23 million / A$25 million); fourth is Danielle Steel (US$22 million / A$24 million); fifth is Janet Evanovich (US$20 million / A$21.5 million); tied for sixth are Jeff Kinney, Veronica Roth, John Grisham and Stephen King (US$17 million / A$18 million); seventh is Suzanne Collins (US$16 million / A$17 million); eighth is J K Rowling (US$14 million / A$17 million); ninth is George R R Martin (US$12 million / A$25 million); 10th is David Baldacci (US$11 million / A$12 million); and tied for 11th are Rick Riordan and E L James (US$10 million / A$10.7 million). The newest authors to be added to the list are John Green and Gillian Flynn, who are tied for 12th place with earnings of US$9 million (A$9.7 million).

Category: International news