J. K. Rowling Tops Forbes List of Authors for 2008

In the News

J. K. Rowling Tops Forbes List of Authors for 2008

J.K. Rowling

Posted by: Edward

October 01, 2008, 07:28 PM

Harry Potter author J. K. Rowling is once again atop a list from Forbes.com. The online version of the financial magazine just released their annual ranking of The World’s Best Paid Authors, with the Harry Potter author being ranked at the top of the list. Tracking the time period between June 1, 2007, and June 1, 2008, Forbes formulated these rankings based on a number of factors. Ms. Rowling is joined on the list by such other notable authors as Stephen King, James Patterson, Danielle Steel, and Nicholas Sparks on this list. Forbes.com says the following of J. K. Rowling:

It was wizardry that transformed J.K. Rowling from a destitute single mother on welfare into a bestselling billionaire. Her adventures of teenage magician Harry Potter and his classmates at Hogwarts became a children’s literary sensation in 1998, when Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone became a publishing hit. It and the six subsequent books have now sold upwards of 375 million copies worldwide. The final one, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, has sold some 44 million since it came out last summer—including 15 million in the first 24 hours.

The complete list of authors is as follows:

1. J. K. Rowling
2. James Patterson
3. Stephen King
4. Tom Clancy
5. Danielle Steel
6. (Tie) John Grisham
6. (Tie) Dean Koontz
8. Ken Follett
9. Janet Evanovich
10. Nicholas Sparks

Previous Article | Next Article Browse all Recent J.K. Rowling News

13 Comments

woo first to comment! go jo!

Posted by eneda on October 01, 2008, 07:42 PM report to moderator

I hope she writes more books and makes even more money. I would gladly pay $50 or more for a new JKR every year. Ah, but writing bestselling books is hard, or else we would all be doing it. Must be patient.

Posted by Mimblewimble on October 01, 2008, 07:52 PM report to moderator

That’s one fantastic achievement! You’re right, Mimblewimble…if it was easy, we’d ALL be doing it…but we wouldn’t be as good as “our” Jo. And remember: “Patience is a virtue!” Good job, Jo! :D

Posted by Confederate Lady on October 01, 2008, 08:27 PM report to moderator

If there is someone that wants to meet a great girl that loves harry potter, books, movies, music and TV, please, write me to the email ltdm93@yahoo.es you will love me as a good friend

Posted by Liane on October 01, 2008, 09:50 PM report to moderator

I’m so happy for Rowling and her success!

Posted by Sara on October 01, 2008, 09:53 PM report to moderator

we are the lucky ones!

Posted by Sadie on October 01, 2008, 10:03 PM report to moderator

Yay! I’m so happy! All my friends were beginning to doubt that Jo’s as great as I always tell them… Take THIS. Also, James Patterson is great in my opinion, which makes this list super awesome!

Posted by Emily on October 01, 2008, 10:33 PM report to moderator

Well, no wonder- she writes the best books. ( :

Posted by H on October 01, 2008, 11:05 PM report to moderator

No one on the list deserves it more!

Posted by ginevra on October 02, 2008, 01:24 AM report to moderator

My guess is JKR won’t start writing again until her youngest child starts school.

And lets face it, she doesn’t need to write another book again in her life, she will only do it because she wants to.

Posted by IC on October 02, 2008, 03:46 AM report to moderator

i wish that alison croggon would be on this list. she´d deserve it.

Posted by secunda on October 02, 2008, 06:55 AM report to moderator

Yay! Awesome!!! i love you Jo!!!

Posted by Brie on October 02, 2008, 11:37 AM report to moderator

man, will you look at the pay gap there? That’s incredible. Of course, she did do a film and a movie in a year, so that helps. I’ll be surprised if Meyer doesn’t make the list next year.

Posted by the fish on October 02, 2008, 08:36 PM report to moderator