James Patterson tops rich authors list

U.S. crime novelist James Patterson is the top-earning author in 2011-12, earning $94 million thanks to the 14 new titles he published, Forbes reported. Coming in at No. 2 is Stephen King with $39 million, followed by Janet Evanovich at No. 3 with $33 million, John Grisham at No. 4 with $26 million and Jeff Kinney at No. 5 with $25 million. Rounding out the top tier are Bill O'Reilly at No. 6 with $24 million, Nora Roberts at No. 7 with $23 million, Danielle Steel at No. 8 with $23 million, Suzanne Collins at No. 9 with $20 million and Dean Koontz at No. 10 with $19 million.