How Much Do Bestselling Authors Make?
How much do bestselling authors make? Most authors—including bestselling authors—get paid an “advance” when they sign a book contract with a publisher. This article explains when and why some authors don’t get an advance; how much bestselling author advances are; how much they bestselling authors make in royalties when a copy of their book sells; how much they make from subsidiary rights such as audio; TV, stage, streaming, and/or major motion picture adapation; foreign rights; merchandise rights; gaming rights; and how much bestselling authors can make from other income streams. This article is part of a series about how to become a bestselling author, written by a former literary agent who’s helped 400+ authors get literary agents and/or traditional publishers.
Bestselling authors often make hundreds of thousands or millions of dollars. Bestselling author income doesn’t just include advances and royalties. Bestselling authors also receive additional payments for foreign editions; audio rights; movie, stage, streaming, and TV adaptation; merchandise and/or gaming rights; speaking and appearances; etc.
How Much Money Do Bestselling Authors Make?
The allure of becoming a bestselling author often comes with dreams of financial success, but the reality of how much bestselling authors earn can vary significantly. Earnings depend on several factors, including the author’s publishing path, the genre of their work, and their level of fame. Let’s explore the different ways bestselling authors generate income and the factors that determine their earnings.
1. Sources of Income for Bestselling Authors
Bestselling authors earn money through a combination of sources, including:
a. Advances
- Traditional publishers often pay advances to authors upfront, which are then recouped from book sales. These can range from $5,000 for debut authors to millions for established names.
- Advances are negotiated based on the author’s track record, marketability, and projected sales.
b. Book Sales
- Royalties: Traditional publishers typically pay authors a percentage of book sales. For hardcover books, royalties usually range from 10–15% of the retail price, while paperbacks yield 7.5–10%. Ebooks often offer higher royalties, ranging from 25–50%, depending on the publishing contract.
- Self-Published Authors: Those who self-publish can earn up to 70% of the book’s retail price, but they must cover production, marketing, and distribution costs.
c. Foreign and Film Rights
- Foreign Rights: Selling translation rights to international publishers can generate significant income. For example, a bestselling novel translated into multiple languages can yield hundreds of thousands of dollars.
- Adaptation Rights: Film and television deals can be incredibly lucrative. For example, J.K. Rowling earned millions from the Harry Potter movie franchise.
d. Speaking Engagements and Events
- Established authors are often invited to speak at conferences, schools, or corporate events. Speaking fees can range from $5,000 to over $100,000 per event, depending on the author’s fame.
e. Merchandise and Branding
- Popular authors often create additional revenue streams through branded merchandise, subscription services, or spin-off products.
2. Earnings Range for Bestselling Authors
The income of bestselling authors varies widely based on their status and the scale of their success.
a. New and Emerging Bestselling Authors
- Advance: $10,000–$100,000 or more.
- Royalties: $10,000–$100,000 annually, depending on book sales.
- Other Income: Occasional speaking gigs or smaller licensing deals.
b. Mid-Tier Bestselling Authors
- Advance: $50,000–$500,000.
- Royalties: $100,000–$1 million annually, often bolstered by consistent backlist sales and international rights.
- Other Income: Regular speaking engagements, foreign rights, and audiobook sales.
c. Top-Tier Bestselling Authors
- Advance: $1 million–$10 million or more.
- Royalties: $1 million–$50 million annually from frontlist and backlist titles.
- Other Income: Multi-million-dollar deals for adaptations, merchandise, and appearances.
3. Examples of Bestselling Author Earnings
a. James Patterson
- Estimated Annual Earnings: $80–$100 million.
- Patterson’s prolific output and collaborations have made him one of the highest-paid authors, with over 425 million books sold.
b. J.K. Rowling
- Estimated Annual Earnings: $50–$100 million.
- Rowling’s Harry Potter series has sold over 600 million copies worldwide, and the franchise has expanded to include films, theme parks, and merchandise.
c. Stephen King
- Estimated Annual Earnings: $20–$30 million.
- King’s extensive catalog generates substantial royalties, and many of his works have been adapted into films and TV shows.
d. Colleen Hoover
- Estimated Annual Earnings: $5–$10 million.
- Hoover’s rise to fame through self-publishing and viral popularity on platforms like TikTok has made her a top-selling author in the romance and contemporary fiction genres.
4. Factors Affecting Earnings
a. Publishing Path
- Traditional Publishing: Offers upfront advances and broader distribution but lower royalty rates.
- Self-Publishing: Provides higher royalties but requires significant investment in marketing and production.
b. Genre
- Genres like thriller, romance, and fantasy often perform better commercially than niche or experimental fiction.
c. Longevity
- Authors with an extensive backlist of titles earn passive income from ongoing sales, making their earnings more stable over time.
d. Marketing and Platform
- Authors with strong platforms (e.g., social media followings, newsletters) can better promote their work and increase earnings.
e. Bestseller List Criteria
- Being featured on prominent lists, such as The New York Times, boosts visibility and sales, often leading to increased earnings.
Conclusion
Bestselling authors can earn anywhere from thousands of dollars to millions annually, depending on their success and reach. While hitting the bestseller lists is a significant milestone, long-term financial success often depends on diversifying income streams, building a loyal readership, and maintaining consistent output. Whether aiming for a six-figure advance or a billion-dollar franchise, writing a bestselling book is as much about business strategy as it is about creativity and storytelling. Now that you’ve read “How Much Do Bestselling Authors Make?” click here for the next article about becoming a bestselling author, “Who Are the Bestselling Authors of All Time?”
The Bestselling Author, LLC
Established in 2011, The Bestselling Author has helped 400+ authors get literary agents and/or traditional publishers. Writers who’ve worked with Literary Agent Undercover, a division of The Bestselling Author, have gotten six-figure book deals; been on the New York Times bestseller list; had their books adapted for TV, stage, and feature film; had their work licensed in 40+ countries; and sold many millions of books.
Notable authors include Nelson Johnson, author of Boardwalk Empire, which Martin Scorsese produced for HBO; Leslie Lehr, author of A Boob’s Life, which is currently being adapted for an HBO Max TV series by Salma Hayek; and Scott LeRette, author of The Unbreakable Boy, which was published by Thomas Nelson and is now a major motion picture by Lionsgate starring Patricia Heaton, Zachary Levi, and Amy Acker.
The founder of The Bestselling Author, Mark Malatesta, is a former literary agent, literary agency owner, AAR member, and Marketing & Licensing Manager for the gift and book publisher Blue Mountain Arts. He is now an author coach and consultant. Click here to see Mark Malatesta reviews.
