# Can Writers Make a Fortune? Ranking the Top 10 Most Valuable Authors Worldwide

Do you think only entrepreneurs and celebrities can become billionaires? Wrong. Some writers have literally written their way to a ten-figure net worth.

The valuation of the Top 3 on the leaderboard instantly makes one understand what it means to earn effortlessly:

**First Place: J.K. Rowling ($1 billion)** — The creator of the "Harry Potter" series, the only author to reach a net worth of $1 billion. This book series alone has sold over 600 million copies, has been translated into 84 languages, and the movies + games have made a fortune.

**Second place: James Patterson ($800 million)** — Super writer, over 140 novels, global sales of 425 million copies. The "Alex Cross" series made him a money printing machine.

**Third Place: Jim Davis ($800 million)** — The creator of the "Garfield" comic strip, which has been serialized since 1978, generating continuous income from spin-offs and merchandise.

Interestingly, the 4th to 7th places are also between 600 million to 800 million USD, including Daniel Steele (the queen of romance novels with over 180 works) and Grant Cardone (bestselling business author and CEO of 7 companies).

John Graham, who ranks at the bottom, earns 50 to 80 million a year just from royalties and advances. It seems that those who can tell stories can really turn their imagination into real money.