James Patterson: US$91 million

Only a phenomenon the size of "Fifty Shades of Grey" could knock Patterson from his longtime perch atop the top-earning authors list, and chances are he'll be back at No. 1 next year. One out of every 17 hardcovers sold in the U.S. is his, and with his "Maximum Ride" and "Witch & Wizard" series he's increasingly as much a force in the young adult market as adult thrillers, his mainstay.