Forbes Top 11 Highest Paid Writers of 2018 Whose Books Are Worth Reading

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

At the end of the year, it is customary to sum up the results. Forbes magazine regularly publishes rankings of the highest paid and most influential people in the world. Not so long ago, a list of writers who managed to become leaders in terms of income was published. Among the expensive writers there are both well-known authors and completely new masters of the pen. Someone was able to improve their well-being, while someone's income fell compared to last year.

James Patterson

The writer was able to generate an income of $ 86 million in a year. The author's success is quite understandable: his detective stories are popular with readers and arouse the most keen interest. Fans of detective stories are always looking forward to the continuation of the series of works about Alex Cross.

James Patterson has both his admirers and opponents. The author himself is very philosophical about criticism of his works and his literary skill. He recognizes the reader's right to choose what he likes. In fact, the popularity of detective stories and thrillers by James Patterson is constantly growing, the author's books are sold in millions of copies. At the same time, the writer is not going to stop there. Recently, another work by Patterson was released, co-authored by Bill Clinton.

Joanne Rowling

The author of Potteriana, although it moved one position down compared to last year, received a very tangible income of 54 million. At the same time, not only the sale of books and film adaptations of her works, but even amusement parks that recreate the magical world of Harry Potter, and therefore are popular with both children and adults, have long been working to increase the financial well-being of J. K. Rowling.

Stephen King

The famous writer, who masterfully owns various literary genres, managed to raise a capital of 27 million. As such, he doubled his earnings compared to 2017. The film adaptation of the popular novel "It", written by Stephen King back in 1986, contributed to this growth.

John Grisham

At the very beginning of his writing career, John Grisham hardly dreamed of such a success. 21 million in just a year, while several publishing houses refused to print his first work at once, and as a result its circulation amounted to only 5 thousand. Legal thrillers from John Grisham are loved by the reader, and his mastery of the word makes his works not only fascinating, but also enjoyable.

Jeff Kinney

This author is not just a children's writer. He also creates gaming software and draws cartoons. His most popular work is The Diary of a Wimp, which includes 12 books, one of which has already been filmed. Kinney's diverse activities earned him $ 18.5 million in 2018.

Dan Brown

The writer and journalist also boasts a profit of $ 18.5 million. This time, he earned a high income from the novel "Origins", which immediately became a bestseller after appearing on the shelves of bookstores. However, Dan Brown's bibliography includes more than one bestseller. It is worth remembering his "Da Vinci Code", "The Lost Symbol" and "Inferno".

Michael Wolfe

The appearance of a journalist in this rating came as a complete surprise. However, the book "Fire and Fury", dedicated to the election campaign of Donald Trump in 2016, is in demand. Although the hero of the sensational work himself spoke of him very unflattering. But readers do not share the point of view of their president and are happy to get acquainted with the narrative that opens Donald Trump from a hitherto unknown side. Michael Wolfe's income was 13 million.

Nora Roberts

Nora Roberts' writing career began sometime by the will of fate. Everyone knows the story of how she wrote her first work, being forced to be locked up for a long period of time due to heavy snow. It is unlikely that at that time the writer could have imagined that her income from books would be 12 million a year.

Daniela Steele

The works of the American writer immediately become top sellers at the time of release, and many immediately become bestsellers. Romance novels with a sharp plot and unexpected episodes of events are always popular, for the most part, among the fairer sex. Daniela Steele earned $ 12 million in 2018.

Rick Riordan

The popularity of this American writer can hardly be overestimated. Almost all of his works invariably become hits and are sold out like hot cakes. The series of novels about Percy Jackson is especially loved by readers, however, other series of Rick Riordan are also of interest. The writer's income in 2018 was $ 10.5 million.

E. L. James

The sales of the erotic bestseller Fifty Shades of Gray and its sequel are undoubtedly the main source of income for the American writer. Along with royalties received by E. L. James from the film adaptation of the first novel allowed her to earn an income of $ 10.5 million.

The Booker Prize could be another source of income for English-speaking writers. It can be obtained by both venerable authors and novice writers who have managed to combine in their books deep content, an unusual form of presentation and mastery of the word. In 2018, five best books were named, which became laureates of the award for all 50 years of its existence. and the one that won the Golden Booker was named.