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Don’t Quit Your Day Job

In order to provide you with a completely distorted view of what authors earn, here’s a link from Forbes. I’m thinking these numbers are educated guesses. Publishers Lunch agrees with me on that and repackages the facts from Forbes this way:

Forbes has updated their annual guesses on the earnings of the most successful authors. This year’s list, covering June 1, 2007 to June 1, 2008, estimates the top 10 authors “pulled in a combined $563 million.”
1. J.K. Rowling, $300 million
2. James Patterson, $50 million
3. Stephen King, $45 million
4. Tom Clancy, $35 million
5. Danielle Steel, $30 million
6. John Grisham, $25 million
6. Dean Koontz, $25 million
8. Ken Follett, $20 million
9. Janet Evanovich, $17 million
10. Nicholas Sparks, $16 million

For the record, I make about $1.67. No millions. Just $1.67.

This entry was posted on Friday, October 3rd, 2008 at 6:19 am and is filed under About Authors, About Publishing. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.

11 Responses to “Don’t Quit Your Day Job”

  1. Barbara-Jo Says:
    October 3rd, 2008 at 6:23 am

    I just bought another of your books… add an additonal .42 cents to your earnings! Have a great weekend.

  2. Karin Says:
    October 3rd, 2008 at 8:36 am

    Writing is more a labor of love than anything else because, like you’ve pointed out with your comment about how much you make, it’s definitely not about the money.

    It’s a bit like being an adjunct college professor…not really much money there.

  3. Liza Says:
    October 3rd, 2008 at 9:27 am

    I’m buying your book this weekend, so add a little more to your total.

    I find it hard to believe that Nora Roberts wasn’t on that list. I would think she had to out-earn at least one of the authors on the list.

  4. Brandy Says:
    October 3rd, 2008 at 12:25 pm

    I’m still waiting for BAMM to get in your latest. As soon as that happens, it’s mine and you will have more. *G* And you’re definitely under-valued! *G*

  5. Jill Sorenson Says:
    October 3rd, 2008 at 12:42 pm

    I’m also surprised Nora isn’t there. She represents a height much of us aspire to.

  6. Laurie Says:
    October 3rd, 2008 at 1:13 pm

    Pretty impressive figures there.

    I hope you have a great weekend. As for me? I’m going to go write a book!
    (J/K, I know that I wasn’t given the writing gift!)

  7. Fedora Says:
    October 3rd, 2008 at 1:15 pm

    Wow. Clearly I’m not J.K. Rowling ;)

  8. Jordan Summers Says:
    October 3rd, 2008 at 2:29 pm

    LOL, I’m pretty sure your estimate is about right, HelenKay. *ggg* Snort.

  9. limecello Says:
    October 3rd, 2008 at 2:31 pm

    Oh geez. >.<

  10. Pat L. Says:
    October 3rd, 2008 at 8:17 pm

    Geez, I was surprised at Nora not being on there too.

  11. Judy F Says:
    October 5th, 2008 at 6:13 pm

    WOW. I will try to get you over the $2.00 mark soon

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