Aug 21 2010 11:43 AM ET

James Patterson and Stephenie Meyer top Forbes highest-paid authors list

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James Patterson and Stephenie Meyer are the world’s highest-paid authors, according to Forbes magazine. Prolific thriller writer Patterson earned an estimated $70m in the twelve months to June 1, while Twilight scribe Meyer was paid $40m. Entertainment Weekly columnist Stephen King was third on the list and Danielle Steel placed fourth.

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  • whatevs

    I don’t think the real authors are going to be happy about Meyer’s placement on this. While I don’t care for Danielle Steele’s writing, she’s at least been around a long time.

    • a

      So you have to be around for a long time to be a successful writer????

      • whatevs

        Obviously not, I don’t even know where you’re getting that from. I mean that a new person who makes the list should at least be releasing quality writing. Maybe millions of people enjoy the Twilight books, but even they know it’s not well written. Why don’t you think before you post something?

    • Lana

      The “a” commenter is obviously taking that from your own words.
      The list is composed from highest paid authors, with no relation to quality or not of their writing.

  • Matt

    God help us all, etc.

  • dragonlady92

    Ugh! There really is no accounting for taste. I hate people!

  • Mea

    The funny part of this is that Patterson is so out of original ideas that he now has a co-writer for his books.

    • madge

      HEY PROBABLY AREN’T CO WRITERS. HE PROBABLY TAKES THE WORKS OF TALENTED UNKNOWNS AND PUTS HIS NAME ON IT AND GIVES THE UNKNOWN WRITER A SMALL PORTION OF THE ROYALTIES.

  • Jon

    James Patterson is the biggest hack writing today. He doesn’t even write all of his own books — he hires out other writers to do the hack work for him. He writes novels like Larry King used to write columns, with short, clipped sentences. He’s the master of the three-paragraph chapter.
    It’s good to know at least one of the top earners, Stephen King, actually has some talent. He’s always been the “popular author” who strives to be more than that. Popular fiction is lucky to have the guy.

    • Cris

      Even when he was writing his own books, he was churning out six books a year, and each one was pretty much the same book over and over again. Stephanie Meyer and Twilight are repugnant, but Patterson’s not much better.

  • ?????

    Patterson and Meyer should collaborate. Alex Cross could investigate the strange going ons in Forks Washington. Except Alex would fall for Edward, and that would give Bella something to really brood and pout about. Once you go black you don’t go back.

    • Mark

      That just isn’t funny.

    • Tha Phoenix

      LMAO @?????

      @Mark lighten up. :)

    • Woot

      I laughed…

    • IWasBorn

      a small giggle might have escaped my lips…

    • Jerri

      “Once you go black you don’t go back” @?????? Yes, that’s what Lisa Lampanelli said.

  • bill

    I dont even know who this James guy is

  • Jane

    ugh.. stephenie meyer needs to go away.
    When will stupid twilight fad be done already?

  • lexeyamber

    That’s just ridiculous…Stephanie Meyer is such a terrible actor and this whole Twilight faze is so annoying…thank god for Stephen King…

    • jodipo

      er… she isnt an actor. She is an author, and a really terrible one.

  • IWasBorn

    thank god for uncle stevie.

  • Jerri

    Stephenie Meyer is over rated. Kids today are dumb for liking trash like sparkly vampires and emo teen girls lusting after said sparkly vampires.

  • Bekka

    Shame that terrible writers like Meyer can still get rich off of writing.

    I’m 16, female, and I HATE the Twilight series. Meyer has no skill.

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