J.K. Rowling, Suzanne Collins, George R.R. Martin on this year’s top-earning authors list, E.L. James expected next year

By Andrew Sims (@Sims) at 11:30 am, August 13, 2012

Forbes has released a piece looking at the top authors in the world today, and while men still lead, a couple of our favorite female authors made the cut.

J.K. Rowling received an $8 million advance thanks to The Casual Vacancy which pushed her into the top earners despite no new Potter books, while Suzanne Collins saw her bank soar thanks to The Hunger Games‘ film success.

The full list…
1) James Patterson: $94 million
2) Stephen King: $39 million
3) Janet Evanovich: $33 million
4) John Grisham: $26 million
5) Jeff Kinney: $25 million
6) Bill O’Reilly: $24 million
7) Nora Roberts: $23 million
8) Danielle Steel: $23 million
9) Suzanne Collins: $20 million
10) Dean Koontz: $19 million
11) J.K. Rowling: $17 million
12) George R.R. Martin: $15 million
13) Stephenie Meyer: $14 million
14) Ken Follett: $14 million
15) Rick Riordan: $13 million

Meanwhile, E.L. James’ three books in the Fifty Shades trilogy have been selling at a wild pace for months, earning her a reported $1.6 million a week. For that reason she’s expected to be included in next year’s list.

Do you see any surprises on this year’s list by Forbes?

View the latest articles in: Books

Ttttt

first
Ran

I thought JK Rowling was the first billionaire author? How come she is in number 11? and with only $17Million? I’m confused.
- Tom
  
  It means she’s earned $17 million within the last year.
- gcw07
  
  This is how much they made last year, not total earnings for their life.
Gary65

Holy crap. I had no idea Rick Riordan was doing so well for himself.
- gcw07
  
  He seems to put out 2 to 3 books a year, so not super surprised.
https://twitter.com/#!/HP4eva121995 Ally

Nice to see JKR, Rick Riordan, Suzanne Collins and GRRM on the list. That being said, I’m not looking forward to next year’s if EL James is at the top along with them.
Rumbleroar Luna

11? At least she’s ahead of Stephanie Meyer. But Jeff Kinney? There wasn’t a new Diary of a Wimpy Kid book yet this yeatr, but I guess there was the movie… And all those little kids. He actually came to my school a few years ago, before he was that famous.
TeamBella76

Kudos to Stephenie Meyer and for her EL James will be the top author next year like it or not !
- VoldyBored
  
  Don’t like it. I’d prefer a cult classic wherein I can actually learn something than a popular erotic “book” wherein I can’t learn anything.
lee

Psh…the only reason Patterson is top is because he writes a book like every 6 hours.
- http://twitter.com/NatashaPeartree Natasha Pereira
  
  truth.
- jon
  
  hahaa ik! He has like tons of books!
laughterhp

As long as JK Rowling is there, I’m happy.
Lotusalm

6/15 for women? Hey, not bad, making progress.
Slytherinhero01

I plan on being on this list one day. I think any aspiring author would say the same.
VideoKilledSeverusSnape

And Jo is still up there. :)
Katniss Everdeen

Why are Rick Riordan, Suzanne Collins, and JK Rowling near the bottom? I love Rick Riordan and Suzanne Collins along with a whole lot of other people. And everybody seems to love JK Rowling (I can’t say that I do because I haven’t read the Harry Potter series. I probably will soon.). ???

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