<P> This is a list of best - selling fiction authors to date, in any language . While finding precise sales numbers for any given author is near - 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 or Tankōbon). </P> <P> Authors such as Miguel de Cervantes, Alexandre Dumas, Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, Arthur Conan Doyle, Victor Hugo, Jules Verne, Rick Riordan, Jack Higgins 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 . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Th> Author </Th> <Th> Min . estimated sales </Th> <Th> Max . estimated sales </Th> <Th> Original language </Th> <Th> Genre or title </Th> <Th> Number of books </Th> <Th> Citizenship </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Christie, Agatha Agatha Christie </Td> <Td> 2 billion </Td> <Td> 4 billion </Td> <Td> English </Td> <Td> Whodunits including the Miss Marple and Hercule Poirot series </Td> <Td> 85 </Td> <Td> British </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Shakespeare, William William Shakespeare </Td> <Td> 2 billion </Td> <Td> 4 billion </Td> <Td> English </Td> <Td> Plays and poetry </Td> <Td> 42 </Td> <Td> English </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Cartland, Barbara Barbara Cartland </Td> <Td> 500 million </Td> <Td> 1 billion </Td> <Td> English </Td> <Td> Romance </Td> <Td> 723 </Td> <Td> British </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Steel, Danielle Danielle Steel </Td> <Td> 500 million </Td> <Td> 800 million </Td> <Td> English </Td> <Td> Romance </Td> <Td> 120 </Td> <Td> American </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Robbins, Harold Harold Robbins </Td> <Td> 750 million </Td> <Td> 750 million </Td> <Td> English </Td> <Td> Adventure </Td> <Td> 23 </Td> <Td> American </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Simenon, Georges Georges Simenon </Td> <Td> 500 million </Td> <Td> 700 million </Td> <Td> French </Td> <Td> Detectives, Maigret, romans dur </Td> <Td> 570 </Td> <Td> Belgian </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Sheldon, Sidney Sidney Sheldon </Td> <Td> 370 million </Td> <Td> 600 million </Td> <Td> English </Td> <Td> Suspense </Td> <Td> 21 </Td> <Td> American </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Blyton, Enid Enid Blyton </Td> <Td> 300 million </Td> <Td> 600 million </Td> <Td> English </Td> <Td> Children's literature, Noddy, The Famous Five, The Secret Seven </Td> <Td> 800 </Td> <Td> British </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Rowling, J.K. J.K. Rowling </Td> <Td> 450 million </Td> <Td> 500 million </Td> <Td> English </Td> <Td> Harry Potter </Td> <Td> 11 </Td> <Td> British </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Seuss, Dr. Dr. Seuss </Td> <Td> 100 million </Td> <Td> 500 million </Td> <Td> English </Td> <Td> Children's literature </Td> <Td> 44 </Td> <Td> American </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Patten, Gilbert Gilbert Patten </Td> <Td> 125 million </Td> <Td> 500 million </Td> <Td> English </Td> <Td> Adolescent adventures </Td> <Td> 209 </Td> <Td> American </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Oda, Eiichiro Eiichiro Oda </Td> <Td> 320 million </Td> <Td> 430 million </Td> <Td> Japanese </Td> <Td> One Piece, Manga </Td> <Td> 86 </Td> <Td> Japanese </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Tolstoy, Leo Leo Tolstoy </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> 413 million </Td> <Td> Russian </Td> <Td> War and Peace, Anna Karenina </Td> <Td> 48 </Td> <Td> Russian </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Tellado, Corín Corín Tellado </Td> <Td> 400 million </Td> <Td> 400 million </Td> <Td> Spanish </Td> <Td> Romance </Td> <Td> 4,000 </Td> <Td> Spanish </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Collins, Jackie Jackie Collins </Td> <Td> 250 million </Td> <Td> 400 million </Td> <Td> English </Td> <Td> Romance </Td> <Td> 25 </Td> <Td> British </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Alger, Horatio Horatio Alger </Td> <Td> 200 million </Td> <Td> 400 million </Td> <Td> English </Td> <Td> Dime novels </Td> <Td> 135 </Td> <Td> American </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Stine, R.L. R.L. Stine </Td> <Td> 100 million </Td> <Td> 400 million </Td> <Td> English </Td> <Td> Goosebumps series, Fear Street series, horror, comedy </Td> <Td> 430 + </Td> <Td> American </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Koontz, Dean Dean Koontz </Td> <Td> 325 million </Td> <Td> 400 million </Td> <Td> English </Td> <Td> Horror, thriller, science fiction, fantasy </Td> <Td> 91 </Td> <Td> American </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Roberts, Nora Nora Roberts </Td> <Td> 145 million </Td> <Td> 400 million </Td> <Td> English </Td> <Td> Romance </Td> <Td> 200 + </Td> <Td> American </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Pushkin, Alexander Alexander Pushkin </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> 357 million </Td> <Td> Russian </Td> <Td> Plays, poetry, prose, Eugene Onegin </Td> <Td> 17 </Td> <Td> Russian </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> King, Stephen Stephen King </Td> <Td> 300 million </Td> <Td> 350 million </Td> <Td> English </Td> <Td> Horror, science fiction, fantasy, It, The Shining, The Stand, Bag Of Bones, Needful Things, The Green Mile </Td> <Td> 70 </Td> <Td> American </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Coelho, Paulo Paulo Coelho </Td> <Td> 200 million </Td> <Td> 350 million </Td> <Td> Portuguese </Td> <Td> The Alchemist </Td> <Td> 28 </Td> <Td> Brazilian </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> L'Amour, Louis Louis L'Amour </Td> <Td> 230 million </Td> <Td> 330 million </Td> <Td> English </Td> <Td> Western </Td> <Td> 101 </Td> <Td> American </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Gardner, Erle Stanley Erle Stanley Gardner </Td> <Td> 100 million </Td> <Td> 325 million </Td> <Td> English </Td> <Td> Mystery, Perry Mason </Td> <Td> 140 </Td> <Td> American </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Jin Yong </Td> <Td> 100 million </Td> <Td> 300 million </Td> <Td> Chinese </Td> <Td> Wuxia </Td> <Td> 15 </Td> <Td> Hong Kong Chinese </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Akagawa, Jirō Jirō Akagawa </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> 300 million </Td> <Td> Japanese </Td> <Td> Mystery </Td> <Td> 500 + </Td> <Td> Japanese </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Dailey, Janet Janet Dailey </Td> <Td> 300 million </Td> <Td> 300 million </Td> <Td> English </Td> <Td> Romance </Td> <Td> 93 </Td> <Td> American </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Wallace, Edgar Edgar Wallace </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> 300 million </Td> <Td> English </Td> <Td> Detective </Td> <Td> 175 </Td> <Td> British </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Ludlum, Robert Robert Ludlum </Td> <Td> 110 million </Td> <Td> 290 million </Td> <Td> English </Td> <Td> Espionage, Jason Bourne </Td> <Td> 40 </Td> <Td> American </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Patterson, James James Patterson </Td> <Td> 150 million </Td> <Td> 275 million </Td> <Td> English </Td> <Td> Thriller, Alex Cross </Td> <Td> 98 </Td> <Td> American </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Dard, Frédéric Frédéric Dard </Td> <Td> 200 million </Td> <Td> 270 million </Td> <Td> French </Td> <Td> Detective, San Antonio </Td> <Td> 300 </Td> <Td> Swiss </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Archer, Jeffrey Jeffrey Archer </Td> <Td> 120 million </Td> <Td> 270 million </Td> <Td> English </Td> <Td> Crime thriller </Td> <Td> 30 </Td> <Td> British </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Berenstain, Stan and Jan Stan and Jan Berenstain </Td> <Td> 200 million </Td> <Td> 260 million </Td> <Td> English </Td> <Td> Berenstain Bears </Td> <Td> 300 + </Td> <Td> American </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Dahl, Roald Roald Dahl </Td> <Td> 200 million </Td> <Td> 250 million </Td> <Td> English </Td> <Td> Children's literature </Td> <Td> 50 </Td> <Td> British </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Grisham, John John Grisham </Td> <Td> 100 million </Td> <Td> 250 million </Td> <Td> English </Td> <Td> Legal thriller </Td> <Td> 22 </Td> <Td> American </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Grey, Zane Zane Grey </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> 250 million </Td> <Td> English </Td> <Td> Western </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> American </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Wallace, Irving Irving Wallace </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> 250 million </Td> <Td> English </Td> <Td> Suspense </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> American </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Tolkien, J.R.R. J.R.R. Tolkien </Td> <Td> 200 million </Td> <Td> 250 million </Td> <Td> English </Td> <Td> The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, classical fantasy </Td> <Td> 36 </Td> <Td> British </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Toriyama, Akira Akira Toriyama </Td> <Td> 240 million </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> Japanese </Td> <Td> Dragon Ball, Dr. Slump, Manga </Td> <Td> 60 </Td> <Td> Japanese </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Kishimoto, Masashi Masashi Kishimoto </Td> <Td> 220 million </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> Japanese </Td> <Td> Naruto, Manga </Td> <Td> 72 </Td> <Td> Japanese </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> May, Karl Karl May </Td> <Td> 100 million </Td> <Td> 200 million </Td> <Td> German </Td> <Td> Western, adventure </Td> <Td> 80 </Td> <Td> German </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Spillane, Mickey Mickey Spillane </Td> <Td> 100 million </Td> <Td> 200 million </Td> <Td> English </Td> <Td> Detective, Mike Hammer </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> American </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Lewis, C.S. C.S. Lewis </Td> <Td> 100 million </Td> <Td> 200 million </Td> <Td> English </Td> <Td> The Chronicles of Narnia, fantasy, popular theology </Td> <Td> 38 </Td> <Td> British </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Nishimura, Kyotaro Kyotaro Nishimura </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> 200 million </Td> <Td> Japanese </Td> <Td> Mystery </Td> <Td> 400 + </Td> <Td> Japanese </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Brown, Dan Dan Brown </Td> <Td> 200 million </Td> <Td> 200 million </Td> <Td> English </Td> <Td> Thriller, Robert Langdon </Td> <Td> 6 </Td> <Td> American </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Martin, Ann M. Ann M. Martin </Td> <Td> 172 million </Td> <Td> 180 million </Td> <Td> English </Td> <Td> The Baby - sitters Club </Td> <Td> 335 </Td> <Td> American </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Shiba, Ryōtarō Ryōtarō Shiba </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> 180 million </Td> <Td> Japanese </Td> <Td> Historical </Td> <Td> 350 </Td> <Td> Japanese </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Hailey, Arthur Arthur Hailey </Td> <Td> 150 million </Td> <Td> 170 million </Td> <Td> English </Td> <Td> Thriller </Td> <Td> 11 </Td> <Td> British / Canadian </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Villiers, Gérard de Gérard de Villiers </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> 150 million </Td> <Td> French </Td> <Td> Detectives, SAS </Td> <Td> 170 </Td> <Td> French </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Potter, Beatrix Beatrix Potter </Td> <Td> 100 million </Td> <Td> 150 million </Td> <Td> English </Td> <Td> Peter Rabbit </Td> <Td> 23 </Td> <Td> British </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Crichton, Michael Michael Crichton </Td> <Td> 150 million </Td> <Td> 150 million </Td> <Td> English </Td> <Td> Techno thriller </Td> <Td> 25 </Td> <Td> American </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Scarry, Richard Richard Scarry </Td> <Td> 100 million </Td> <Td> 150 million </Td> <Td> English </Td> <Td> Illustrated children's books </Td> <Td> 250 </Td> <Td> American </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Cussler, Clive Clive Cussler </Td> <Td> 40 million </Td> <Td> 150 million </Td> <Td> English </Td> <Td> Adventure, Dirk Pitt </Td> <Td> 37 </Td> <Td> American </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> MacLean, Alistair Alistair MacLean </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> 150 million </Td> <Td> English </Td> <Td> Adventure, thriller, war stories </Td> <Td> 32 </Td> <Td> British </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Follett, Ken Ken Follett </Td> <Td> 90 million </Td> <Td> 150 million </Td> <Td> English </Td> <Td> Spy thriller, historical thriller </Td> <Td> 30 </Td> <Td> British </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Lindgren, Astrid Astrid Lindgren </Td> <Td> 100 million </Td> <Td> 145 million </Td> <Td> Swedish </Td> <Td> Children's literature </Td> <Td> 100 </Td> <Td> Swedish </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Macomber, Debbie Debbie Macomber </Td> <Td> 60 million </Td> <Td> 140 million </Td> <Td> English </Td> <Td> Romance </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> American </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> EL James </Td> <Td> 100 million </Td> <Td> 125 million </Td> <Td> English </Td> <Td> Fifty Shades of Grey </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> British </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Yoshikawa, Eiji Eiji Yoshikawa </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> 120 million </Td> <Td> Japanese </Td> <Td> Musashi </Td> <Td> 7 </Td> <Td> Japanese </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Cookson, Catherine Catherine Cookson </Td> <Td> 100 million </Td> <Td> 120 million </Td> <Td> English </Td> <Td> Romance </Td> <Td> 103 </Td> <Td> British </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Meyer, Stephenie Stephenie Meyer </Td> <Td> 100 million </Td> <Td> 116 million </Td> <Td> English </Td> <Td> The Twilight Saga, The Host, romance </Td> <Td> 6 </Td> <Td> American </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Bridwell, Norman Norman Bridwell </Td> <Td> 100 million </Td> <Td> 110 million </Td> <Td> English </Td> <Td> Clifford the Big Red Dog </Td> <Td> 80 </Td> <Td> American </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Baldacci, David David Baldacci </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> 110 million </Td> <Td> English </Td> <Td> Thriller </Td> <Td> 25 </Td> <Td> American </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Nicholas Sparks </Td> <Td> 90 million </Td> <Td> 105 million </Td> <Td> English </Td> <Td> Romance </Td> <Td> 22 </Td> <Td> American </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Hunter, Evan Evan Hunter </Td> <Td> 100 million </Td> <Td> 100 million </Td> <Td> English </Td> <Td> Detective (Ed McBain) </Td> <Td> 94 </Td> <Td> American </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Neiderman, Andrew Andrew Neiderman </Td> <Td> 100 million </Td> <Td> 100 million </Td> <Td> English </Td> <Td> V.C. Andrews, The Devil's Advocate </Td> <Td> 60 </Td> <Td> American </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Hargreaves, Roger Roger Hargreaves </Td> <Td> 100 million </Td> <Td> 100 million </Td> <Td> English </Td> <Td> Children's literature, Mr. Men </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> British </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Rice, Anne Anne Rice </Td> <Td> 75 million </Td> <Td> 100 million </Td> <Td> English </Td> <Td> Gothic fiction, vampires, Interview with the Vampire (The Vampire Chronicles) </Td> <Td> 27 </Td> <Td> American </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Cook, Robin Robin Cook </Td> <Td> 100 million </Td> <Td> 100 million </Td> <Td> English </Td> <Td> Medical thriller </Td> <Td> 27 </Td> <Td> American </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Smith, Wilbur Wilbur Smith </Td> <Td> 80 million </Td> <Td> 100 million </Td> <Td> English </Td> <Td> African adventure </Td> <Td> 32 </Td> <Td> South African / British </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Caldwell, Erskine Erskine Caldwell </Td> <Td> 80 million </Td> <Td> 100 million </Td> <Td> English </Td> <Td> Literature </Td> <Td> 25 </Td> <Td> American </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Judith Krantz </Td> <Td> 80 million </Td> <Td> 100 million </Td> <Td> English </Td> <Td> Romance </Td> <Td> 12 </Td> <Td> American </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Hibbert, Eleanor Eleanor Hibbert </Td> <Td> 100 million </Td> <Td> 100 million </Td> <Td> English </Td> <Td> Romance, historical, suspense </Td> <Td> 200 </Td> <Td> British </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Carroll, Lewis Lewis Carroll </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> 100 million </Td> <Td> English </Td> <Td> Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, absurdist literature </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> British </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Robins, Denise Denise Robins </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> 100 million </Td> <Td> English </Td> <Td> Romance </Td> <Td> 200 </Td> <Td> British </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Xueqin, Cao Cao Xueqin </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> 100 million </Td> <Td> Chinese </Td> <Td> Dream of the Red Chamber </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> Chinese </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Fleming, Ian Ian Fleming </Td> <Td> 100 million </Td> <Td> 100 million </Td> <Td> English </Td> <Td> James Bond </Td> <Td> 14 </Td> <Td> British </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Hesse, Hermann Hermann Hesse </Td> <Td> 100 million </Td> <Td> 100 million </Td> <Td> German </Td> <Td> Steppenwolf, Siddhartha, The Glass Bead Game </Td> <Td> 45 </Td> <Td> German - Swiss </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Stout, Rex Rex Stout </Td> <Td> 100 million </Td> <Td> 100 million </Td> <Td> English </Td> <Td> Nero Wolfe </Td> <Td> 50 </Td> <Td> American </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Golon, Anne Anne Golon </Td> <Td> 100 million </Td> <Td> 100 million </Td> <Td> French </Td> <Td> Angélique </Td> <Td> 14 </Td> <Td> French </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Slaughter, Frank G. Frank G. Slaughter </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> 100 million </Td> <Td> English </Td> <Td> Medical </Td> <Td> 62 </Td> <Td> American </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Burroughs, Edgar Rice Edgar Rice Burroughs </Td> <Td> 100 million </Td> <Td> 100 million </Td> <Td> English </Td> <Td> Tarzan, Barsoom and Pellucidar series, science fantasy </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> American </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Creasey, John John Creasey </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> 100 million </Td> <Td> English </Td> <Td> Crime thriller </Td> <Td> 600 </Td> <Td> British </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Michener, James A. James A. Michener </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> 100 million </Td> <Td> English </Td> <Td> Historical </Td> <Td> 47 </Td> <Td> American </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Uchida, Yasuo Yasuo Uchida </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> 100 million </Td> <Td> Japanese </Td> <Td> Mystery </Td> <Td> 130 + </Td> <Td> Japanese </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Morimura, Seiichi Seiichi Morimura </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> 100 million </Td> <Td> Japanese </Td> <Td> Mystery </Td> <Td> 350 + </Td> <Td> Japanese </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Higgins Clark, Mary Mary Higgins Clark </Td> <Td> 100 million </Td> <Td> 100 million </Td> <Td> English </Td> <Td> Thriller </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> American </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Jordan, Penny Penny Jordan </Td> <Td> 90 million </Td> <Td> 100 million </Td> <Td> English </Td> <Td> Romance </Td> <Td> 200 + </Td> <Td> British </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Cornwell, Patricia Patricia Cornwell </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> 100 million </Td> <Td> English </Td> <Td> Thriller </Td> <Td> 34 + </Td> <Td> American </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> Clancy, Tom Tom Clancy </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> 100 million </Td> <Td> English </Td> <Td> Thriller </Td> <Td> </Td> <Td> American </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Th> Author </Th> <Th> Min . estimated sales </Th> <Th> Max . estimated sales </Th> <Th> Original language </Th> <Th> Genre or title </Th> <Th> Number of books </Th> <Th> Citizenship </Th> </Tr>

Who is the most read author in the world