Who Is the Richest Fantasy Author Ever?

When it comes to the wealthiest fantasy authors, JK Rowling, Suzanne Collins, and Stephanie Meyer stand out with their monumental success. However, the discussion doesn’t stop there. Mark Lawrence's blog provides a deeper dive into the fascinating world of fantasy authors and their sales.

But is it just about who's the richest? A detailed analysis of the sales numbers reveals an interesting picture. JK Rowling has unsurprisingly amassed a vast fortune, with Suzanne Collins and Stephanie Meyer coming close but not quite reaching Rowling's status.

Comparing Stars

The difference between George R.R. Martin (GRRM) and Stephanie Meyer is stark. GRRM, creator of the A Song of Ice and Fire series, has built a empire, but when compared to Stephanie Meyer, who wrote the Twilight series, the disparity becomes even more evident. Stephanie Meyer's Twilight series, with over 100 million copies sold, overshadows much of what GRRM has accomplished.

But the real distinction in the fantasy realm comes from the likes of Patrick Rothfuss, Neil Gaiman, and Josephus Gaimer.Patrick Rothfuss, author of The Name of the Wind, has sold over 2.5 million copies of his debut novel alone, a figure that certainly puts Stephanie Meyer in the shade. Meanwhile, Neil Gaiman, known for books like The Ocean at the End of the Lane, has a rich and diverse body of work with notable sales.

Patrick Rothfuss's "The Name of the Wind" has sold over 2.5 million  Meyer's "Twilight" series has sold over 100 million copies.

Unpredictable Success

There are, of course, the outliers, such as The Black Company. Despite achieving cult status, this series by Gene Wolfe has sold a mere 27,000 units. This is particularly noteworthy because Gene Wolfe's The Book of the New Sun is a masterpiece, revered in the literary community. The contrast between these figures highlights the unpredictable nature of literary success, even in the genre of fantasy.

Another curve ball is Terry Pratchett. George R.R. Martin is famous, but based on the sales figures, Terry Pratchett seems to have a more substantial portfolio. It’s clear that Terry Pratchett’s D-selector series, among others, have contributed significantly to his wealth.

Conclusion: Who Is the Richest?

The question of 'who is the richest fantasy author ever' is not straightforward. The gap between top earners, such as JK Rowling, Suzanne Collins, and Stephanie Meyer, and the elites like Patrick Rothfuss, Neil Gaiman, and Josephus Gaimer, is vast. The tipping point seems to be in the millions of copies sold. If we measure purely by sales figures, the likes of GRRM and Neil Gaiman are in a different league. However, if we consider cultural impact and critical acclaim, a different picture emerges.