List of best-selling fiction authors

This is a list of best-selling fiction authors to date, in any language. While finding precise sales numbers for any given author is nearly impossible, the list is based on approximate numbers provided or repeated by reliable sources. "Best selling" refers to the estimated number of copies sold of all fiction books written or co-written by an author. To keep the list manageable, only authors with estimated sales of at least 100 million are included. Authors of comic books are not included unless they have been published in book format (for example, comic albums, manga tankōbon volumes, trade paperbacks, or graphic novels).

Authors such as Jane Austen, Miguel de Cervantes, Alexandre Dumas, Charles Dickens, Arthur Conan Doyle, Victor Hugo, Jules Verne, Rick Riordan, Ernest Hemingway, Jack Higgins, Isaac Asimov and Leon Uris have not been included in the table because no exact figures could be found—although there are indications that they too have more than 100 million copies of their work in print.^{[citation needed]}

List

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.

Estimates come from different years and are therefore not directly comparable.

Author	Min. estimated sales	Max. estimated sales	Original language	Genre and/or major works	Number of books	Nationality
William Shakespeare	2 billion[1]	4 billion[2]	English	Plays and poetry, e.g. Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, and Hamlet	42	British
Agatha Christie	2 billion[3]	4 billion[2]	English	Whodunits, including the Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot series	86	British
Barbara Cartland	500 million[4]	1 billion[5]	English	Romance	723	British
Danielle Steel	500 million[6]	800 million[7]	English	General fiction, romance	179	American
Harold Robbins	750 million[8]	750 million[9]	English	Adventure	23	American
Georges Simenon	500 million[10]	700 million[11]	French	Detectives, Maigret, romans durs	570	Belgian
Enid Blyton		600 million[12]	English	Children's literature, Noddy, The Famous Five, The Secret Seven	800	British
J. K. Rowling	600 million[13]	600 million[13]	English	young adult, fantasy, crime fiction, including the Harry Potter series	22	British
Sidney Sheldon	370 million[14]	600 million[15]	English	Suspense	21	American
Eiichiro Oda	516.6 million[16]	523.2 million[c]	Japanese	Manga, One Piece	106	Japanese
Gilbert Patten	125 million[26]	500 million[27]	English	Adolescent adventures	209	American
Tom Clancy	100 Million[28]		English	Espionage, Thriller, Jack Ryan	19	American
Dr. Seuss	100 million[29]	500 million[30]	English	Children's literature	44	American
Akira Toriyama	298 million[f]	438 million[f]	Japanese	Manga, Dr. Slump, Dragon Ball, Dragon Ball Super	66	Japanese
Leo Tolstoy		413 million[33]	Russian	War and Peace, Anna Karenina	48	Russian
Corín Tellado	400 million[34]	400 million[35]	Spanish	Romance	4,000	Spanish
Dean Koontz	325 million[36]	400 million[37]	English	Horror, thriller, science fiction, fantasy	91	American
Jackie Collins	400 million[38]	500 million[39]	English	Romance	32	British
Horatio Alger	200 million[40]	400 million[41]	English	Dime novels	135	American
Nora Roberts	145 million[42]	400 million[43]	English	Romance	200+	American
R. L. Stine	100 million[44]	400 million[45]	English	Goosebumps series, Fear Street series, horror, comedy	430+	American
Alexander Pushkin		357 million[33]	Russian	Plays, poetry, prose, Eugene Onegin	17	Russian
Stephen King	300 million[46]	400 million[47]	English	Horror, science fiction, fantasy, It, The Shining, The Stand, Pet Sematary, Salem's Lot, The Green Mile	77	American
Paulo Coelho	225 million[48]	350 million[49]	Portuguese	The Alchemist	28	Brazilian
Jirō Akagawa	300 million[50]	330 million[51]	Japanese	Mystery	500+	Japanese
Jeffrey Archer	250 million[52]	330 million[53]	English	Saga, thriller, short stories, Kane and Abel, The Clifton Chronicles	33	British
Louis L'Amour	230 million[54]	330 million[55]	English	Western	101	American
René Goscinny		325 million[56]	French	Franco-Belgian comics, Asterix, Lucky Luke, Iznogoud	108	French
Erle Stanley Gardner	100 million[57]	325 million[58]	English	Mystery, Perry Mason	140	American
Edgar Wallace		300 million[59]	English	Detective	175	British
Janet Dailey	300 million[60]	300 million[61]	English	Romance	93	American
Jin Yong	100 million[62]	300 million[63][64]	Chinese	Wuxia	15	Chinese
Robert Ludlum	110 million[65]	290 million[66]	English	Espionage, Jason Bourne	40	American
Osamu Tezuka		276 million[67]	Japanese	Manga, Astro Boy, Black Jack, Buddha	62	Japanese
James Patterson		400 million[68]	English	Thriller, Alex Cross Maximum Ride	400+	American
Frédéric Dard	200 million[69]	270 million[70]	French	Detective, San Antonio	300	French
Stan and Jan Berenstain	200 million[71]	260 million[72]	English	Berenstain Bears	300+	American
Roald Dahl	200 million[73]	250 million[74]	English	Children's literature	50	British
John Grisham	100 million[75]	250 million[76]	English	Legal thriller	35	American
Zane Grey		250 million[77]	English	Western		American
Irving Wallace		250 million[78]	English	Suspense		American
J. R. R. Tolkien	200 million[79]	250 million[80]	English	The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, classical fantasy	36	British
Masashi Kishimoto	250 million[81]	250 million[82]	Japanese	Manga, Naruto	72	Japanese
Gosho Aoyama	250 million[83]	250 million[84]	Japanese	Manga, Detective Conan	100	Japanese
Karl May	100 million[85]	200 million[86]	German	Western, adventure	80	German
Mickey Spillane	100 million[87]	200 million[88]	English	Detective, Mike Hammer		American
C. S. Lewis	100 million[89]	200 million[90]	English	The Chronicles of Narnia, fantasy, popular theology	38	British
Kyotaro Nishimura		200 million[91]	Japanese	Mystery	400+	Japanese
Mitsuru Adachi		200 million[92]	Japanese	Manga, Touch, H2, Slow Step, Miyuki,Cross Game		Japanese
Rumiko Takahashi		200 million[92]	Japanese	Manga Urusei Yatsura, Ranma ½, Inuyasha, Maison Ikkoku, Rin-ne		Japanese
Dan Brown	200 million	200 million[93]	English	Thriller, Robert Langdon	7[94]	American
Alistair MacLean	150 million[95]	200 million[96]	English	Adventure, thriller, war stories	32	British
Ann M. Martin	172 million[97]	180 million[98]	English	The Baby-sitters Club	335	American
Ryōtarō Shiba		180 million[99]	Japanese	Historical	350	Japanese
Arthur Hailey	150 million[100]	170 million[101]	English	Thriller	11	British/Canadian
Astrid Lindgren	100 million[102]	165 million[103]	Swedish	Children's literature	100	Swedish
Koyoharu Gotouge	150 million[104]	150 million[105]	Japanese	Manga, Demon Slayer	23	Japanese
Anne Rice	150 million	150 million+[106]	English	Gothic fiction, vampires, Interview with the Vampire (The Vampire Chronicles) The Witching Hour (Lives of the Mayfair Witches)	40	American
Gérard de Villiers		150 million[107]	French	Detectives, SAS	170	French
Beatrix Potter	100 million[108]	250 million[109]	English	Peter Rabbit	23	British
Michael Crichton	150 million[110]	150 million[111]	English	Techno thriller	25	American
Richard Scarry	100 million[112]	150 million[113]	English	Illustrated children's books	300+	American
Clive Cussler	40 million[114]	150 million[115]	English	Adventure, Dirk Pitt	37	American
Ken Follett	90 million[116]	150 million[117]	English	Spy thriller, historical thriller	30	British
Debbie Macomber	60 million[118]	140 million[119]	English	Romance		American
Naoki Urasawa		140 million[120]	Japanese	Manga		Japanese
E.L. James	100 million	125 million	English	Fifty Shades of Grey	7	British
Carter Brown	100 million[121]	120 million[122]	English	Detective		Australian
Tite Kubo		120 million[123]	Japanese	Manga, Bleach	74	Japanese
Eiji Yoshikawa		120 million[124]	Japanese	Musashi	7	Japanese
Hajime Isayama	120 million	120 million[125]	Japanese	Manga, Attack on Titan	34	Japanese
Catherine Cookson	100 million[126]	120 million[127]	English	Romance	103	British
Stephenie Meyer	100 million[128]	116 million[129]	English	The Twilight Saga, The Host, romance	6	American
Norman Bridwell	100 million[130]	110 million[131]	English	Clifford the Big Red Dog	80	American
David Baldacci		110 million[132]	English	Thriller	25	American
Nicholas Sparks	90 million[133]	105 million[134]	English	Romance	22	American
Hirohiko Araki	120 million	120 million[135]	Japanese	Manga, Jojo's Bizarre Adventure	131	Japanese
Evan Hunter	100 million[136]	100 million[137]	English	Detective (Ed McBain)	94	American
Andrew Neiderman	100 million[138]	100 million[139]	English	V. C. Andrews, The Devil's Advocate	60	American
Roger Hargreaves	100 million[140]	100 million[141]	English	Children's literature, Mr. Men		British
Robin Cook	100 million[142]	100 million[143]	English	Medical thriller Coma	27	American
Wilbur Smith	80 million[144]	100 million[145]	English	African adventure	32	South African/British
Erskine Caldwell	80 million[146]	100 million[147]	English	Literature	25	American
Judith Krantz	80 million [148]	100 million [149]	English	Romance	12	American
Eleanor Hibbert	100 million[150]	100 million[151]	English	Romance, historical, suspense	200	British
Lewis Carroll		100 million[152]	English	Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, absurdist literature	5	British
Denise Robins		100 million[153]	English	Romance	200	British
Cao Xueqin		100 million[154]	Chinese	Dream of the Red Chamber		Chinese
Ian Fleming	100 million[155]	100 million[156]	English	James Bond	14	British
Hermann Hesse	100 million[157]	100 million[158]	German	Steppenwolf, Siddhartha, The Glass Bead Game	45	German-Swiss
Rex Stout	100 million[159]	100 million[160]	English	Nero Wolfe	50	American
Anne Golon	100 million[161]	100 million[162]	French	Angélique	14	French
Frank G. Slaughter		100 million[163]	English	Medical	62	American
Edgar Rice Burroughs	100 million[164]	100 million[165]	English	Tarzan, Barsoom and Pellucidar series, science fantasy		American
John Creasey		100 million[166]	English	Crime thriller	600	British
James A. Michener		100 million[167]	English	Historical	47	American
Yasuo Uchida		100 million[168]	Japanese	Mystery	130+	Japanese
Seiichi Morimura		100 million[168]	Japanese	Mystery	350+	Japanese
Mary Higgins Clark	100 million[169]	100 million[170]	English	Thriller		American
Penny Jordan	90 million[171]	100 million[172]	English	Romance	200+	British
Patricia Cornwell		100 million[173]	English	Thriller, Kay Scarpetta series	34+	American
Terry Pratchett	122 million	122 million	English	Discworld and others	50+	British

See also

• List of most translated individual authors
• List of best-selling books
• List of best-selling novels in the United States
• List of best-selling manga

Notes

1. Copies sold per week

   • Week 1: 890,494^[20]
   • Week 2: 296,118^[21]
   • Week 3: 113,968^[22]
   • Week 4: 60,635^[23]
   • Week 5: 36,136^[24]
   • Week 6: 27,111^[25]
2. Overseas copies have not been updated since August 2022, when the most recent volume available internationally was number 100.^[17]
3. One Piece manga volume sales: 523,203,195 copies worldwide

   • Japan: 423,203,195
     • Volumes 1–103: 416,566,000^[17]
     • Volume 104: 1,609,752^[18]
     • Volume 105: 1,912,008^[19]
     • Volume 106: 1,690,973^[19]
     • Volume 107: 1,424,462^[a]
   • Overseas (volumes 1–100): 100,000,000^[b]
4. See Dragon Ball (manga) § Reception
5. See Dragon Ball Super § Manga reception
6. Tankōbon book sales of Akira Toriyama's manga:

   • Dr. Slump – 35 million copies (Japan)^[31]
   • Dragon Ball – 260 million+ official copies (worldwide),^[32] to 400 million+ official and unofficial copies.^[d]
   • Dragon Ball Super – 3,289,401 copies (Japan)^[e]

References

1. Bruxelles, Simon (September 14, 2005). "Agatha Christie's favourite plot". The Times. ISSN 0140-0460. Archived from the original on January 24, 2021. Retrieved June 13, 2019. Christie sold more than two billion books, translated into 103 languages. Only the Bible and Shakespeare's works are said to have sold more.
2. "'Agatha Christie's secret tapes discovered". The Times. September 15, 2008. ISSN 0140-0460. Archived from the original on December 15, 2019. Retrieved June 13, 2019. Christie wrote 80 detective novels mostly featuring Poirot or Marple and it has been suggested that only the Bible and Shakespeare's canon have outsold an estimated 4 billion copies of her books.
3. "With more than two billion copies of her 80 crime masterpieces sold there is a ready-made audience for television adaptations". February 8, 2008. Archived from the original on February 13, 2008. Retrieved October 8, 2008.
4. The Telegraph Archived June 16, 2008, at the Wayback Machine on Barbara Cartland: "Barbara Cartland, who, we are informed (on www.condor-sj.com), 'is the most widely read author in the world with more than 500 million books in print'?" (February 25, 2007)
5. CBS News Archived April 13, 2008, at the Wayback Machine on Barbara Cartland: "Dame Barbara Cartland, 98. Considered the world's most prolific author and Britain's queen of romantic fiction, with total sales of 1 billion books." (December 20, 2000)
6. CBC on Danielle Steel: "The reclusive Steel, who lives in San Francisco and Paris, has published more than 70 bestselling romance novels, which have sold more than 500 million copies worldwide." (April 21, 2010)
7. Forbes Archived September 7, 2017, at the Wayback Machine on Danielle Steel: "Yes, you read that right, 800 MILLION copies sold. Best known for romance and drama, Danielle Steel's novels have spent over 390 consecutive weeks on The New York Times Best Seller list and 22 have been adapted for television." (June 6, 2011)
8. The Independent Archived September 7, 2017, at the Wayback Machine on Harold Robbins: "During his 50-year career (he died in 1997) he sold an estimated 750 million books and, in the process, transformed himself into a brand." (September 23, 2008)
9. USA Today Archived October 31, 2010, at the Wayback Machine on Harold Robbins: "Starting in 1948, he sold 750 million books, including megasellers such as The Carpetbaggers, A Stone for Danny Fisher and The Betsy." (October 9, 2007)
10. The Age Archived February 7, 2009, at the Wayback Machine on Georges Simenon: "With worldwide sales of 500 million, he was the most widely read living writer of his era." (September 14, 2003)
11. The Wall Street Journal Archived September 7, 2017, at the Wayback Machine on Georges Simenon: "In his lifetime Simenon published some 570 books, using 17 pen names, which have sold more than 700 million copies in 40 countries and were translated into 57 languages." (April 1, 2003)
12. The Huddersfield DailyExaminer Archived February 12, 2012, at the Wayback Machine on Enid Blyton: "She has been translated into 90 languages, is the sixth most popular writer worldwide according to UNESCO and almost equal to Shakespeare, and has sold 600 million copies." (August 25, 2008)
13. "Scholastic Marks 25 Year Anniversary of The Publication of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" (Press release). New York, New York: Scholastic. February 6, 2023. Archived from the original on February 6, 2023. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
14. Variety on Sidney Sheldon: "A NEW MILESTONE FOR Sidney Sheldon, who has sold more than 370 million books" (October 6, 1995)
15. The Columbus Dispatch^{[permanent dead link‍]} on Sidney Sheldon: "He was one of the world's most translated authors, selling more than 600 million books in 180 countries." (January 31, 2007)
16. 「ONE PIECE：全世界累計5億部突破 驚異の47巻連続初版300万部超 単一作者の最多発行部数でギネス更新. Mantan Web (in Japanese). Mantan Co., Ltd. August 4, 2022. Archived from the original on September 21, 2022. Retrieved August 4, 2022.
17. "One Piece Manga Sets Guinness World Record With Over 500 Million Published". Anime News Network. August 4, 2022. Archived from the original on December 17, 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2023. Shueisha announced on Thursday that Eiichiro Oda's One Piece manga has surpassed 500 million copies published worldwide as of the release of the manga's 103rd compiled book volume on the same day. 416,566,000 of those copies are in Japan, and 100 million copies are in 60 countries and territories outside of Japan.
18. "Top-Selling Manga in Japan by Volume: 2022 — Jujutsu Kaisen 18 Sells 2.11 Million". Anime News Network. December 1, 2022. Archived from the original on December 17, 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
19. "Top-Selling Manga in Japan by Volume: 2023 — One Piece Tops Chart for 13th Time". Anime News Network. November 30, 2023. Archived from the original on December 17, 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
20. "週間 コミックランキング （2023年10月30日～2023年11月05日）" [Weekly Comic Ranking (October 30, 2023−November 5, 2023)]. Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on December 17, 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2023. 890,494
21. "週間 コミックランキング （2023年11月06日～2023年11月12日）" [Weekly Comic Ranking (November 6, 2023−November 12, 2023)]. Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on December 17, 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2023. 296,118
22. "週間 コミックランキング （2023年11月13日～2023年11月19日）" [Weekly Comic Ranking (November 13, 2023−November 19, 2023)]. Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on December 17, 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2023. 113,968
23. "週間 コミックランキング （2023年11月20日～2023年11月26日）" [Weekly Comic Ranking (November 20, 2023−November 26, 2023)]. Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on December 17, 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
24. "週間 コミックランキング （2023年11月27日～2023年12月03日）" [Weekly Comic Ranking (November 27, 2023−December 3, 2023)]. Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on December 17, 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2023. 60,635
25. "週間 コミックランキング （2023年12月04日～2023年12月10日）" [Weekly Comic Ranking (December 4, 2023−December 10, 2023)]. Oricon (in Japanese). Archived from the original on December 17, 2023. Retrieved December 17, 2023. 36,136
26. Susan Edgerton e.a. in Imagining the Academy: Higher Education and Popular Culture Archived February 15, 2017, at the Wayback Machine page 53, on Gilbert Patten: "It is estimated that at least 125 million copies of the Frank Merriwell series (which itself ran to at least 209 books) were sold." (2004)
27. LeRoy Ashby in With Amusement For All: A History of American Popular Culture Since 1830 Archived September 15, 2014, at the Wayback Machine page 145, on Gilbert Patten: "[...] the Merriwell brothers, the heroes of almost 250 children's books, whose total sales of 500 million copies surpassed those of the Bible between 1896 and 1918." (2006)
28. Bosman, Julie (October 2, 2013). "Tom Clancy, Best-Selling Master of Military Thrillers, Dies at 66". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
29. The Daily Utah Chronicle Archived April 15, 2008, at the Wayback Machine on Joshua Kagebein List of best-selling fiction authors: "The Pulitzer Prize-winning Seuss wrote and illustrated 47 books and sold more than 100 million copies in 18 languages." (March 5, 2001)
30. The New York Times Archived April 19, 2008, at the Wayback Machine on Dr. Seuss: "Today Dr. Seuss's 44 books have been translated into 21 languages, selling more than 500 million copies." (March 2, 2004)
31. "Top Manga Properties in 2008 - Rankings and Circulation Data". Comipress. December 31, 2008. Archived from the original on June 29, 2012. Retrieved November 28, 2013.
32. 『ドラゴンボール超』劇場版最新作、2022年に公開決定. Toei Animation (in Japanese). May 9, 2021. Archived from the original on October 25, 2021. Retrieved May 18, 2021.
33. New York Times February 15, 1987
34. The Guardian Corin Tellado obituary Archived September 14, 2018, at the Wayback Machine on Corin Tellado: "In the course of her life she published more than 4,000 romance novels that sold 400 million copies, which earned her a place in the Guinness Book of Records where she has been a fixture since 1994." (April 11, 2009)
35. Corín Tellado on Corin Tellado: "She published more than 5,000 titles and sold more than 400 million books which have been translated into several languages"
36. The OC Register Archived April 13, 2008, at the Wayback Machine on Dean Koontz: "Admitting to finally having found a great editor at Bantam, the author, who has sold 325 million books in 38 languages, talked about his craft. " (September 25, 2007)
37. Daily Pilot Archived July 25, 2011, at the Wayback Machine on Dean Koontz: "He's now the world's sixth most highly paid author, tied with John Grisham at $25 million in annual sales, and his novels have sold more than 400 million copies." (January 7, 2011)
38. The Guardian Archived April 14, 2008, at the Wayback Machine on Jackie Collins: "One of the world's bestselling writers with more than 400 million books sold in over 40 countries. " (June 27, 2004)
39. Thorpe, Vanessa (June 13, 2021). "Jackie Collins: the reality of life in Joan's shadow". The Observer. ISSN 0029-7712. Retrieved September 13, 2024.
40. The Chinook Observer Archived October 8, 2012, at the Wayback Machine on Horatio Alger, Jr.: "Americans bought 200 million copies of his dime novels -- with intriguing titles like Raggedy Dick and Sink or Swim. " (March 30, 2005)
41. Time magazine Archived April 13, 2008, at the Wayback Machine on Horatio Alger: "[...] that have sold from 100 million to 400 million copies, depending on which literary historian you believe." (February 12, 1973)
42. BBC Archived August 7, 2012, at the Wayback Machine on Nora Roberts: "Nora Roberts currently has 145 million books in print." (June 6, 2002)
43. The Washington Post Archived September 7, 2017, at the Wayback Machine on Nora Roberts: "Today, Roberts, 61, has published her 200th novel, "The Witness," and is at the helm of a cottage industry: about 400 million copies of her books in print..." (April 16, 2012)
44. The Hindu Archived April 12, 2008, at the Wayback Machine on R. L. Stine: "As R.L. Stine points out (and he should know, having sold over 100 million copies of over 160 different spooky stories)" (September 7, 2003)
45. Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Archived April 13, 2008, at the Wayback Machine on R. L. Stine: "Altogether, Stine has sold more than 400 million books." (April 8, 2007)
46. The New Yorker Archived July 13, 2018, at the Wayback Machine on Stephen King: "He is the world's best-selling novelist, with 300 million books sold [...]" (September 7, 1998)
47. "Bestselling author Stephen King turns 75 – DW – 09/21/2022". Deutsche Welle.
48. Penguin Random House Archived September 15, 2018, at the Wayback Machine on Paulo Coelho: "his books have sold more than 225 million copies in more than 170 countries (...)" (September 14, 2018)
49. The Washington Post Archived September 7, 2017, at the Wayback Machine on Paulo Coelho: "the writer has sold an estimated 350 million books." (December 20, 2016)
50. Nishi-Nippon Shinbun Archived March 30, 2008, at the Wayback Machine (Japanese Language, February 25, 2007)
51. Nikkei Cross Trend Archived March 1, 2020, at the Wayback Machine (Japanese, December 23, 2019)
52. Curtis Brown Archived July 14, 2019, at the Wayback Machine "Novelist, short story writer and author of non-fiction" (2014)
53. The Daily Telegraph Archived February 21, 2016, at the Wayback Machine "Jeffrey Archer interview: the saga continues." (May 7, 2011)
54. Ray Broadmus Browne and Pat Browne in The Guide to United States Popular Culture Archived December 24, 2016, at the Wayback Machine page 473, on Louis L'Amour: "His books have sold over 230 million copies, making him one of the best- selling authors in modern literary history. " (2001)
55. The Jamestown Sun on Louis L'Amour: "More than 330 million copies of his books have been sold, translated into 27 languages." (October 29, 2001)
56. "Asterix the Gaul rises sky high". Reuters. October 8, 2009. Archived from the original on October 10, 2009. Retrieved September 14, 2018.
57. The New York Sun Archived April 13, 2008, at the Wayback Machine on Erle Stanley Gardner: "Erle Stanley Gardner (whose Perry Mason stories sold more than a 100 million books)" (July 20, 2005)
58. The New York Times Archived April 18, 2008, at the Wayback Machine on Erle Stanley Gardner: "Gardner's books continue to be reissued regularly both here and abroad. Sales to date exceed 325 million copies." (November 22, 1992)
59. The "American mystery and detective novels: a reference guide" Archived December 24, 2016, at the Wayback Machine on Edgar Wallace: "Christie alone has sold 500 million copies; Edgar Wallace, 300 million; Georges Simenon, 300 million; and Mickey Spillane, 150 million." (1999)
60. BBC AudioBooks catalogue Archived July 7, 2011, at the Wayback Machine on Janet Dailey: "Janet Dailey has written more than 100 novels and is one of the world's topselling women writers, with more than 300 million copies of her books sold in nineteen languages in ninety-eight countries" (2007)
61. Pamela Regis in A Natural History of the Romance Novel page 159 on Janet Dailey: "There are 300 million copies of her books in print, making her the third best-selling author of all time" (2007)
62. I. B.Tauris & Company Archived January 15, 2014, at the Wayback Machine on Jin Yong: "Jin Yong (1924-) is China's bestselling living novelist. His 15 books have sold more than 100 million copies worldwide..."
63. Shue Yan Newsletter Archived May 2, 2012, at the Wayback Machine on Jin Yong: "Professor Cha adopted 'Jin Rong' as his pen-name for his 15 martial arts novels of which over 300 million copies have been sold to-date. Although Professor Cha stopped writing martial arts novels almost forty years ago, they remain in print and have been translated into English, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese and other languages for his countless readers worldwide."
64. Lewis Manalo (February 16, 2010). "The Billion Copy Opportunity". Publishing Perspectives. Archived from the original on November 1, 2011. Retrieved December 18, 2011. Without rival, the twentieth century's king of the genre is Louis Cha. Estimates of his book sales reach up to 300 million copies. One editor at the Far Eastern Economic Review estimated that, if one also counted the pirated copies, over 1 billion of Cha's books have been sold. His fourteen novels have been adapted into countless comic books, television shows, and films.
65. BBC Archived August 8, 2012, at the Wayback Machine on Robert Ludlum: "He has sold more than 110 million books in 40 countries and 32 languages." (March 13, 2001)
66. BBC Archived December 15, 2008, at the Wayback Machine on Robert Ludlum: "The author, who died in 2001, has sold more than 290 million books worldwide." (August 11, 2005)
67. Davis, Northrop (2015). Manga and Anime Go to Hollywood. Bloomsbury Publishing USA. ISBN 9781623560386. Archived from the original on February 10, 2019. Retrieved September 14, 2018. Black Jack Osamu Tezuka [...] 176 million [...] Astro Boy Osamu Tezuka [...] 100 million
68. The New Yorker "Patterson’s books have sold more than four hundred million copies." (June 13, 2022)
69. The New York Times Archived April 19, 2008, at the Wayback Machine on Frédéric Dard: "Mr. Dard wrote almost 300 books, of which more than 200 million copies have been sold." (June 15, 2000)
70. The Washington Post on Frédéric Dard: "Mr. Dard worked as a journalist in Lyon from 1942 to 1950 before dedicating himself to novels, theater and film. He used a number of pseudonyms, among them Frederic Charles, Kaput and L'Ange Noir (The Black Angel), and sold more than 270 million books." (June 9, 2000)
71. The New York Times Archived September 14, 2018, at the Wayback Machine on the Berenstains: ""sold more than 200 million copies (...)" (February 27, 2012)
72. Variety on the Berenstains: "The company also is offering a new animated series based on the Berenstain Bears, the hugely popular children's brand that has sold more than 260 million books worldwide." (April 7, 2002)
73. BBC Archived December 23, 2018, at the Wayback Machine on Roald Dahl: "With his stories available in 59 languages and with more than 200 million book sales worldwide." (July 6, 2015)
74. "Roald Dahl: As popular - and profitable - as ever". BBC. August 18, 2016. Archived from the original on February 14, 2017. Retrieved August 30, 2016.
75. The New York Times Archived March 13, 2023, at the Wayback Machine on John Grisham: "Over the last 15 years, more than 100 million copies of Mr. Grisham's books have been published in hardcover and paperback worldwide." (January 19, 2005)
76. BBC Archived March 13, 2023, at the Wayback Machine on John Grisham: "While legal thriller writer Grisham - who has sold more that 250 million books in his 20-year career - picked up a lifetime achievement award, Ian Rankin's The Naming of the Dead won best crime thriller." (March 28, 2007)
77. Trip Savvy Archived October 11, 2019, at the Wayback Machine on Zane Grey: ""Zane Grey had 250 million books published," Wolfe said." (November 22, 2005)
78. The Writer's Almanac Archived September 7, 2017, at the Wayback Machine on Irving Wallace: "Although often scorned by critics, his 16 novels and 17 works of nonfiction have sold some 250 million copies worldwide." (March 19, 2003)
79. USA Today Archived June 2, 2011, at the Wayback Machine on J. R. R. Tolkien: "Tolkien's franchise has resulted in more than 200 million books sold globally and $3.5 billion in box office revenue — not to mention tens of millions of DVDs sold." (April 23, 2007)
80. The Australian on J. R. R. Tolkien: " Tolkien's books (...) have together sold more than 250 million copies worldwide. " (October 7, 2012)
81. "MANGA Plus: Interviewing editors". MANGA Plus. Shueisha. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
82. "MANGA Plus: Interviewing editors". MANGA Plus. Shueisha. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved September 6, 2020.
83. "Detective Conan Manga Has 250 Million Copies in Circulation Worldwide". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on October 18, 2021. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
84. "Detective Conan Manga Has 250 Million Copies in Circulation Worldwide". Anime News Network. Archived from the original on October 18, 2021. Retrieved October 18, 2021.
85. The Wall Street Journal Archived September 7, 2017, at the Wayback Machine on Karl May: "the best-selling German author of all time, with 100 million books" (January 1, 2004)
86. Deutsche Welle Archived April 13, 2008, at the Wayback Machine on Karl May: "With sales of over 200 million books, Karl May remains a household name in today's Germany." (April 4, 2001)
87. CBC obituary of Mickey Spillane: "He sold more than 100 million books, and Hammer inspired several TV series and movies." (July 18, 2006)
88. The Washington Post Archived July 19, 2005, at the Wayback Machine on Mickey Spillane: "According to today's industry estimates, his 26 books have sold more than 200 million copies." (August 22, 2001)
89. BBC Archived October 12, 2007, at the Wayback Machine on C. S. Lewis: "favorite Northern Irish author has sold over 100 million books and inspired the Harry Potter and the Lord of the Rings novels." (February 8, 2008)
90. The Daily Herald Archived March 13, 2023, at the Wayback Machine on C. S. Lewis: "C.S. Lewis may not be on the best-seller list, but it is estimated that his 38 books have sold more than 200 million copies worldwide and remain in print 38 years after his death." (October 20, 2001)
91. Famitsu.com Archived April 13, 2008, at the Wayback Machine (Japanese language, May 11, 2007)
92. 高橋留美子：コミックスが累計2億部突破　あだち充に続く大記録 Archived February 10, 2018, at the Wayback Machine, Mantan Web, March 14, 2017. (Japanese language)
93. ^ https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/books/news/dan-browns-inferno-publishers-poised-for-biggestsales-since-harry-potter-as-da-vinci-code-authors-latest-robert-langdon-story-hits-shelves-8614082.html Archived May 9, 2015, at the Wayback Machine
94. "The Official Website of Dan Brown". danbrown.com. Archived from the original on January 23, 2018. Retrieved January 7, 2018.
95. Dominic Head in The Cambridge Guide to Literature in English Archived December 24, 2016, at the Wayback Machine page 431 on Alistair MacLean: "Alistair MacLean's works have sold more than 150 million copies worldwide." (2006)
96. "THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN TYPEWRITER says author Alistair MacLean". Australian Women's Weekly (1933 - 1982). May 10, 1978. p. 63. Archived from the original on March 13, 2023. Retrieved August 22, 2018.
97. Benjamin M. Compaine and Douglas Gomery Archived April 26, 2014, at the Wayback Machine, 'Who Owns the Media?: Competition and Concentration in the Mass Media Industry' page 115"
98. The Wall Street Journal Archived September 7, 2017, at the Wayback Machine on Ann M. Martin: "A year earlier, however, the movie version of "The Baby-Sitters Club" -- based on a series of young-adult books that have sold more than 180 million copies -- sold only $10 million in tickets, barely exceeding its $6.5 million budget." (October 8, 2004)
99. Japan Inc. Archived April 13, 2008, at the Wayback Machine on Ryōtarō Shiba: "Altogether, including such genres as dialogues with other authors, more than 180 million copies of his books have been printed" (June 22, 2006)
100. The Age Archived April 13, 2008, at the Wayback Machine on Arthur Hailey: "Arthur Hailey, who has died at his home in the Bahamas aged 84, was one of the most commercially successful authors of all time, producing 11 books which sold more than 150 million copies, were translated into about 40 languages, and brought him tens of millions of dollars" (November 28, 2004)
101. The Washington Post on Arthur Hailey: "He wrote 11 books, which were published in 40 countries and 38 languages, with about 170 million copies in print." (November 27, 2004)
102. BBC Archived August 8, 2012, at the Wayback Machine on Astrid Lindgren: "Lindgren's books have sold over 100 million copies in some 80 languages." (January 28, 2002
103. FAQ at Astrid Lindgren official site Archived August 11, 2010, at the Wayback Machine (in Swedish).
104. Inc, Natasha. "「鬼滅の刃」累計1億5000万部を突破！3月には塗絵帳が2冊同時発売". コミックナタリー (in Japanese). Archived from the original on February 14, 2021. Retrieved February 14, 2021. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
105. Inc, Natasha. "「鬼滅の刃」累計1億5000万部を突破！3月には塗絵帳が2冊同時発売". コミックナタリー (in Japanese). Archived from the original on February 14, 2021. Retrieved February 14, 2021. {{cite web}}: |last= has generic name (help)
106. Hollywood Reporter Archived September 17, 2018, at the Wayback Machine on Anne Rice: "More than 100 million copies have been sold worldwide." (July 17, 2018)
107. Sunday Herald Archived April 13, 2008, at the Wayback Machine on Gerard De Villiers: "De Villiers, now 78, claims to have sold an extraordinary 150 million books over his career - with every year a million more added to the total in France alone." (November 19, 2007)
108. Lucia Marginean in Collecting Beatrix Potter Figurines page 2, on Beatrix Potter: "Beatrix Potter's books have been translated into more than 35 languages and sold over 100 million copies. " (2008)
109. Anna Russell, "The Secret Life of Bedatrix Potter", The New Yorker, March 12, 2022 ("Potter, the author of 'The Tale of Peter Rabbit' and 'The Tale of Benjamin Bunny,' whose books have now sold more than two hundred and fifty million copies . . .").
110. The Telegraph Archived June 16, 2008, at the Wayback Machine on Michael Crichton: "His books have sold more than 150 million copies." (July 1, 2007)
111. The Wall Street Journal Archived September 7, 2017, at the Wayback Machine on Michael Crichton: "Although it is always difficult to gauge the total sales of any author, Mr. Crichton's Web site states that he has sold more than 150 million books, and that 13 of them have been adapted into movies." (November 16, 2006)
112. Encyclopædia Britannica Archived August 5, 2010, at the Wayback Machine on Richard Scarry: "His "busy" books and dictionaries sold more than 100 million copies worldwide, and in 1989 eight of his books made the list of the top 50 best-selling children's books of all time" (2008)
113. Famous Authors Archived September 15, 2018, at the Wayback Machine on Richard Scarry: "He has written more than 300 books which have gone on to sell more than 150 million copies globally" (2012)
114. The Rocky Mountain Collegian Archived April 15, 2008, at the Wayback Machine on Clive Cussler: "An audit later revealed the number of Cussler books sold was around 40 million at the time the contract was negotiated in 2000." (March 5, 2007)
115. The Telegraph Archived June 16, 2008, at the Wayback Machine on Clive Cussler: "His widely popular novels - his new one, Golden Buddha, the first in an adventure series called The Oregon Files, is published next month - have sold 150 million copies in 40 languages and have made the author a very wealthy man." (February 23, 2004)
116. CBS Archived April 13, 2008, at the Wayback Machine on Ken Follett: "In all, he's sold 90 million books." (October 7, 2007)
117. BBC Culture Archived September 18, 2018, at the Wayback Machine on Ken Follett: "Ken Follett explains how he arrived at the winning formula that has brought him more than 150 million sales worldwide" (October 16, 2016)
118. Publishers Weekly Archived May 11, 2008, at the Wayback Machine on Debbie Macomber: "Last year her new books sold 2.8 million copies, bringing her total in print to more than 60 million." (June 19, 2006)
119. New Release Today Archived September 14, 2018, at the Wayback Machine on Debbie Macomber: "With more than 140 million copies of her books in print, Debbie Macomber is one of today's most popular authors." (May 31, 2011)
120. "浦沢直樹、電子版解禁！「YAWARA!」「20世紀少年」配信、「あさドラ！」新刊も" (in Japanese). Natalie. December 28, 2021. Archived from the original on December 28, 2021. Retrieved January 28, 2022.
121. "Brio announces new unpublished manuscript prize for mystery writing". Archived from the original on September 27, 2019. Retrieved September 27, 2019.
122. "Reaching a high level of success internationally too, the Carter Brown name would see over 120 million books in print during its time". October 3, 2018. Archived from the original on September 27, 2019. Retrieved September 27, 2019.
123. Anime News Network Archived February 5, 2018, at the Wayback Machine "The official Twitter for the live-action film of Tite Kubo's Bleach manga revealed on Monday that the original Bleach manga has 120 million copies in print worldwide." (February 5, 2018)
124. The New York Times Archived April 18, 2008, at the Wayback Machine on Eiji Yoshikawa: "It has remained on the Japanese best-seller list ever since its initial publication as a novel in 1971, and has sold an estimated 120 million copies." (September 13, 1981)
125. "TVアニメ『進撃の巨人』放送10周年と完結を記念してアニメ史上初！ファン参加型の世界合同打ち上げが開催決定！". プレスリリース・ニュースリリース配信シェアNo.1｜PR TIMES. September 12, 2023. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
126. The Age Archived February 7, 2009, at the Wayback Machine on Catherine Cookson: "One hundred million copies of her 103 books have been sold worldwide." (October 6, 2008
127. The Telegraph Archived September 14, 2018, at the Wayback Machine on Catherine Cookson: "Cookson sold 120 million books and for a lengthy period of the 20th century was Britain's most borrowed author." (May 29, 2015)
128. The Hollywood Reporter Archived September 14, 2018, at the Wayback Machine on Stephenie Meyer: "the books have sold more than 100 million copies" (October 19, 2015)
129. Publishers Weekly Archived January 14, 2012, at the Wayback Machine on Stephenie Meyer: "Little, Brown to Publish Official 'Twilight' Guide." (October 6, 2011)
130. The Library of Congress Archived February 2, 2017, at the Wayback Machine on Norman Bridwell: "Now more than 80 Clifford books have been published, close to 100 million books are in print, and Clifford's adventures are published in several languages worldwide." (2002)
131. KRCB television Archived April 4, 2008, at the Wayback Machine on Norman Bridwell: "Scholastic's beloved, best-selling children's books by Norman Bridwell, with more than 160 titles and 110 million books in print." (2008)
132. The National Archived August 10, 2011, at the Wayback Machine on David Baldacci: "At last count, David Baldacci had sold 110 million copies of his incredibly popular thrillers." (August 9, 2011)
133. Bachko, Katia (April 9, 2015). "Touring MoMA with The Longest Road Author Nicholas Sparks". Vanity Fair. Archived from the original on January 9, 2017. Retrieved September 14, 2017.
134. "'The Notebook' author Nicholas Sparks coming to Wichita". kansas. Archived from the original on September 15, 2017. Retrieved September 14, 2017.
135. Crunchyroll Archived December 18, 2016, at the Wayback Machine reporting on Araki's announcement: "The official website for 56-year-old Japanese manga artist Hirohiko Araki today announced that, as of the release of the 14th volume of the current 8th arc JoJolion next Monday, his long-running Jojo's Bizarre Adventure manga series has printed 100 million copies in Japan." (December 15, 2016)
136. The New York Times Archived December 11, 2008, at the Wayback Machine on Ed McBain: "Ms. Gelfman, his agent, estimated that in 50 years of writing, he had sold more than 100 million copies of his work." (July 7, 2005)
137. The Hollywood Reporter Archived December 6, 2006, at the Wayback Machine on Ed McBain: "Evan Hunter, 78, a best-selling cop novel author who sold more than 100 million books under his own name and the pseudonym Ed McBain." (December 30, 2005)
138. The Sun Runner^[usurped] on Andrew Neiderman: "Aside from the fact that "The Devil's Advocate" is a film classic featuring Al Pacino, Keanu Reeves and Charlize Theron, Neiderman has over 100 million books in print and has been published in 95 countries. " (2005)
139. Authors' Den Archived July 22, 2012, at archive.today on Andrew Neiderman: "Neiderman has over 100 million books in print and has been published in 95 countries." (August 3, 2006)
140. The Independent Archived October 28, 2010, at the Wayback Machine on Roger Hargreaves: "The popularity of the original characters led to a television series, sold 100 million books and created a business worth £130m" (January 22, 2003)
141. News Australia Archived February 14, 2008, at the Wayback Machine on Roger Hargreaves: "The popular series featured characters like Mr Strong, Mr Tickle and Mr Muddle, and it has been estimated that more than 100 million books from the Mr Men range had been sold worldwide." (February 11, 2008)
142. Variety Archived April 13, 2008, at the Wayback Machine on Robin Cook: "Cook, who with more than 100 million books in print virtually owns the medical-thriller genre, appears to be branching out of his element by adding an extraterrestrial component." (May 2, 1997)
143. Wesleyan University Archived November 20, 2010, at the Wayback Machine on Robin Cook: "He has sold more than 100 million books worldwide, which have been translated into approximately 40 languages." (2007)
144. The Telegraph^{[dead link‍]} on Wilbur Smith: "Translated into 26 languages, they have sold more than 80 million copies worldwide." (April 28, 2007)
145. The Herald Archived April 13, 2008, at the Wayback Machine on Wilbur Smith: "He is the author of 25 best-sellers and claims in court papers to have sold about 100 million books." (May 21, 2002)
146. Augusta Chronicle Archived February 10, 2009, at the Wayback Machine on Erskine Caldwell: "Mr. Caldwell's books have sold 80 million copies and have been published in 43 languages. " (February 11, 2007)
147. The New York Times Archived April 18, 2008, at the Wayback Machine on Erskine Caldwell: "More than 100 million copies of his books have been printed around the world, and his short stories continue to be included in anthologies" (December 1, 1982)
148. The New York Times Archived September 19, 2019, at the Wayback Machine on Judith Krantz: "Judith Krantz, Whose Tales of Sex and Shopping Sold Millions, Dies at 91." (June 23, 2019)
149. Deadline Archived September 14, 2019, at the Wayback Machine on Judith Krantz: "Judith Krantz Dies: Best-Selling Author And Journalist Was 91 Years Old" (June 23, 2019)
150. The Independent Archived September 7, 2017, at the Wayback Machine on Eleanor Hibbert: "She sold staggering amounts, in the region of 100 million copies." (September 28, 2008)
151. The New York Times on Eleanor Hibbert: "Eleanor Hibbert, a prolific and popular novelist whose books, written under the pen names Jean Plaidy, Victoria Holt and Philippa Carr, sold more than 100 million copies, died on Monday aboard a Mediterranean cruise ship." (January 21, 1993)
152. The New York Times Archived April 18, 2008, at the Wayback Machine on Lewis Carroll: "Over 100 million copies of Carroll's book have been sold, Mr. Allen said." (April 18, 1985)
153. Miami Herald Archived October 8, 2012, at the Wayback Machine on Denise Robins: "Miss Robins' novels, translated into 15 languages, sold more than 100 million copies. " (May 3, 1985)
154. China.org Archived April 12, 2008, at the Wayback Machine on Cao Xueqin: "Sun said that the book has sold over 100 million copies worldwide so far. " (December 14, 2005)
155. The Times of India Archived October 20, 2012, at the Wayback Machine on Ian Fleming: "Faulks took up where Fleming left off in 1966 with Octopussy and the Living Daylights, the last of 14 Bond books which have sold 100 million copies since." (July 13, 2007)
156. The New Zealand Herald on Ian Fleming: "Faulks took up where Fleming left off in 1966 with Octopussy and the Living Daylights, the last of 14 Bond books which have sold 100 million copies since." (July 11, 2007-
157. Eckhard Bernstein in Culture and Customs of Germany page 101 on Hermann Hesse: "Over 100 million copies of his works have been sold worldwide" (2004)
158. The International Herald Tribune Archived April 12, 2008, at the Wayback Machine on Hermann Hesse: "Hesse's novels appear in 68 languages and have been sold more than 100 million copies worldwide" (October 28, 1999)
159. The Washington Post Archived March 8, 2021, at the Wayback Machine on Rex Stout: "he substituted pleasure for pain and produced 42 novels and 39 novellas in the Nero Wolfe series with combined sales of more than 100 million copies" (November 20, 1977)
160. The Philadelphia Inquirer Archived October 8, 2012, at the Wayback Machine on Rex Stout: "Readers have snapped up more than 100 million copies of the books." (November 29, 1986)
161. Screening Difference: How Hollywood's Blockbuster Films Imagine Race, Ethnicity and Culture, Dr. Jaap van Ginneken, page 124, on Anne Golon: "All together, they published thirteen titles, translated into forty-five languages and selling more than 100 million copies." (2007)
162. The Age Archived April 13, 2008, at the Wayback Machine on Anne Golon: "Somehow, despite her books having sold more than 100 million copies in 45 countries, Golon is living in straitened circumstances" (November 13, 2004)
163. Kevin McCarthy's The Book Lover's Guide to Florida Archived March 11, 2016, at the Wayback Machine on Frank G. Slaughter: "Through 1990, Slaughter's books have averaged more than a million sales per title, totaling over 100 million copies." (1992)
164. Steven R. Serafin in The Continuum Encyclopedia of American Literature Archived April 1, 2017, at the Wayback Machine, p. 145, on Edgar Rice Burroughs: "[...] sales of his novels exceed 100 million copies." (2005)
165. Bret E. Carroll in American Masculinities: A Historical Encyclopedia, page 449, on Edgar Rice Burroughs: "The twenty-five novels that followed between 1912 and 1947 were a huge commercial success, with over 100 million copies sold" (2003)
166. Neil Shulman e.a. in Get Between the Covers: Leave a Legacy by Writing a Book, page 225, on John Creasey: "Over his lifetime, he managed to write over 600 novels and to sell approximately 100 million copies of his books worldwide." (2006)
167. Thomas D. Hamm in The Quakers in America page 208, on James Michener: "Michener produced a steady stream of books for the rest of his life, with total sales of over 100 million." (2003)
168. Books from Japan Archived September 17, 2018, at the Wayback Machine on Yasuo Uchida: "Yasuo Uchida (1934–) is a popular author whose works have sold more than 100 million copies in Japan" (Japanese language, March 21, 2008)
169. Deseret News Archived July 3, 2010, at the Wayback Machine on Mary Higgins Clark: "Mary Higgins Clark has been on The New York Times Best Seller list 27 times and has more than 100 million copies in print in the United States" (March 29, 2009)
170. Forbes Archived September 7, 2017, at the Wayback Machine on Mary Higgins Clark: "Sales:100 million books sold" (June 6, 2011)
171. The Telegraph Archived December 14, 2018, at the Wayback Machine on Penny Jordan: "selling more than 90 million copies of nearly 190 titles" (January 19, 2012)
172. The Washington Post Archived September 7, 2017, at the Wayback Machine on Penny Jordan: "sold more than 100 million copies worldwide" (January 21, 2012)
173. The Christian Science Monitor Archived February 27, 2013, at the Wayback Machine on Patricia Cornwell: "Cornwell's books have sold more than 100 million copies." (February 21, 2013)