The '50 Shades of Grey' author is number one on the list of top-earning authors with $95 million in earnings, while James Patterson and Suzanne Collins get number two and three respectively.
- Aug 15, 2013
AceShowbiz - E. L. James has been dubbed the world's richest author by Forbes. In its list of top-earning authors, which was revealed on Monday, August 12, the "50 Shades of Grey" author gets the first place with approximately $95 million in earnings, defeating "Alex Cross" author James Patterson and "Hunger Games" author Suzanne Collins.
Forbes estimates that Erika Leonard, who goes with E. L. James in publishing world, received $95 million between June 2012 and July 2013. Her "50 Shades of Grey" trilogy was sold 70 million copies in eight months. Besides book selling, James cashed in $5 million from a movie adaptation which is expected to hit U.S. theaters in August 2014.
Crime author James Patterson, who has been on the list for years, is number two with $4 million gap. He had topped the list for three years before James snatched his position. Patterson, who is popular for his "Alex Cross" and "Maximum Ride" books, usually releases five books a year.
The third position is taken by Suzanne Collins with estimated $55 million in earnings. The former children's television writer rose to fame after "The Hunger Games" book which she wrote was adapted into movie with the same title. It starred Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth. The movie's sequel "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire" will be released later this year.
Forbes' List of World's Top-Earning Authors:
