There are people out there whose pens are like magic wands-spinning magic from words and bringing them to life. These are authors who can enchant their audience, whether they are children or adults, such that the readers cannot put down their books until they finish. Writings of such great authors will make you laugh, bring out your tears, or thrill you with excitement; you will feel engrossed in the characters. The magic of these tales unravel while traveling from one corner of the Earth to the other. Since such books are loved across the World despite racial, ethical, et cetera differences, the authors sell millions of copies. This makes them not only popular but also rich! We have brought to you a list of top 10 highly earning authors of 2020; a list which consists of millionaires.
10. Dan Brown
Worth of Dan Brown: $179 million
Author of thriller fiction, Dan Brown is the twentieth highest selling author of all times with only six books. His most famous books are The Da Vinci Code, Angels & Demons, and The Lost Symbol. The most recent addition to his collection of novels is Inferno. His books have sold about 200 million copies and are available in 52 languages. In 2005, Brown was named as one of the 100 Most Influential People in the World by the New York Times. Having earnings worth of $179 million, Brown ranks 10th in our list.
9. Nora Roberts
Worth of Nora Roberts: $370 million
Nora Roberts has written under many pseudonyms and has been called as the ‘Queen of eBooks’. As of 2012, she sold more than 3.2 million digital copies. Roberts is a best-selling author of about 209 romance novels. Her novels have secured the #1 spot in the New York Times Best-seller list for 176 weeks! Also, she is the first author to be added to the Romance Writers of America Hall of Fame. Hence, with earnings worth of $370 million, she ranks 9th in this list.
8. Jeff Kinney
Worth of Jeff Kinney: $104 million
The popular Wimpy Kid series is written by the New York Times #1 best-selling author, Jeff Kinney who is not only an author but also an actor and a game-designer. He works in the genre of children’s literature. He has also been included in The New York Times list of 100 most influential people in the World (2009). There are more than 75 million copies available of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, which is also present in 44 languages. In addition, the online version of this series has had more than 80 million visits.
7. Janet Evanovich
Worth of Janet Evanovich: $120 million
Janet Evanovich (also known by her pen name, Steffie Hall) is a New York Times and Amazon best-selling author. She has written books on romance, suspense, and mystery. Her most popular character is Stephanie Plum. As of 2012, the crime fiction series featuring Stephanie sold 75 million copies. Evanovich has been included in the Forbes’ list of 100 most influential people.
6. Danielle Steel
Worth of Danielle Steel: $385 million
Danielle Steel is an American novelist who is the fourth best-selling author of all times. She has written non-fiction, children’s books, and romance novels. She has published 128 titles and sold more than 600 million copies. Her work has been translated into 28 languages where 22 books have been adapted for television. Her novels are being published since the 1970s (Going Home, 1973), latest being Winners, 2013. Thus, with 40 years of being a published author, Steel has earnings of $385 million which gives her the 5th rank in our list.
5. Bill O’Reilly
Worth of Bill O’Reilly: $28 million
Bill O’Reilly is an American host, political commentator, and author. He is the host of a famous Fox News program which is the most watched cable news program of American television. He has written many books but the publishing of “Killing Lincoln” and “Killing Kennedy” brought him to the limelight as an author. These books made him get the 1st and 2nd slots in the New York Times hard-cover non-fiction best-sellers list.
4. Suzanne Collins
Worth of Suzanne Collins: $85 million
Suzanne Collins is an American television writer and novelist, famously known for her New York Times Best selling series The Underland Chronicles and The Hunger Games trilogy (The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and Mocking Jay). Collins rose to new heights of success after a very successful release of a film based on her novel, The Hunger Games. As of 2012, the trilogy has sold more than 50 million copies (in print and digital) only in the U.S! Foreign publishing rights of this trilogy have been given to 55 territories around the globe. Hence, with earnings of $85 million, Suzanne Collins ranks 4th in our list of top 10 highest paid authors of the year.
3. James Patterson
Worth of James Patterson: $750 million
Close behind E.L James is James Patterson with earnings of $91 million. Patterson is an American author who has written many thrillers, romance, and non-fiction novels. His notable works include the Alex-Cross series, the Women’s Murder Club series, the Maximum Rise series, and the Michael Bennet series. His books have sold more than 270 million copies and he is the first author to sell 10 million eBooks. It was estimated (in 2011) that 1 in every 4 thriller novels sold is written by James Patterson. Therefore, Patterson being the bestselling author of many series, ranks third in our list of top 10 highest paid authors of 2020.
2. E.L James
Worth of E. L James: $150 million
E.L James is a British author who recently soared to fame with her adult romance trilogy. This bestselling trilogy, Fifty Shades of Grey, Fifty Shades Darker, and Fifty Shades Freed became so popular that it set a record of fastest selling paperback of all-times. The trilogy has sold more than 35 million copies only in the U.S while 70 million copies have been sold around the World. In 2012, E.L James was included in The Times list of 100 most influential people. The Fifty Shades of Grey has won two National Book Awards (UK), “Popular Fiction Book of the Year” and “Book of the Year.”
1. J. K. Rowling
Worth of J. K. Rowling: $980 million
Rowling is the best fiction writer in the world. She is best known for her thrillers and science fiction writings. This best-selling author has sold more than 275 million copies where her books are translated into 76 languages. Her most popular work is Harry Potter which made her the most famous author of the last decade.
Thus, with earnings of almost $1 billion, J. K. Rowling is the world’s highly paid and the richest author in 2020.
