Are 'Twilight' fans slacking? Stephenie Meyer only the second-highest-earning author in the world

It's almost enough to get your blood boiling -- Stephenie Meyer, author of the "Twilight" books, is ranked only second on Forbes' 2010 list of the highest-paid authors, behind the prolific James Patterson.

Think it had something to do with not publishing a new book during the period the mag evaluated? Though "The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner" was available free in June and for sale starting in early July, Forbes assembled its list based on earnings for the 12 months ending June 1.

Combine that with list-leader Patterson's breakneck writing pace -- he had nine books in calendar 2009 and has put out seven so far this year -- and it seems safe enough to keep the faith when it comes to Twihards' devotion to Meyer's works.

Meyer pulled in $40 million, Forbes estimates, with about $7 million coming from "The Twilight Saga" movies. She ranks between Patterson at $70 million and Stephen King at $34 million.

Rounding out the top 10: Danielle Steel, Ken Follett, Dean Koontz, Janet Evanovich, ...

... John Grisham, Nicholas Sparks and "Harry Potter" creator J.K. Rowling, with a mere $10-million year. Don't feel too bad for Rowling though -- she had $300 million rolling in when she topped the 2008 list, on which Patterson came in second and Meyer didn't appear.

Who did Meyer bump off the 2008 roster? None other than Tom Clancy.

Cold-blooded vampires, 1; post-Cold War thrillers, 0?

-- Christie D'Zurilla

Photo: Stephenie Meyer and Peter Facinelli at "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse" premiere in Los Angeles on June 23. Credit: Kevin Winter / Getty Images

Related dispatches from the Ministry of Gossip:

'The Twilight Saga: Eclipse' premiere pictures from the red -- er, black -- carpet

Stephenie Meyer flexes Forbes power, saves U.S. from terrorists?

New novella coming from 'Twilight' author Stephenie Meyer

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Comments

[stu schauer]

James Patterson is a hack...He doesn't even write his own books anymore..check for a coauthor.... if he even bothers to give credit..where credit is due..hack and liar
Stu Schauer

[Halofan]

Wow, who needs therapists and lawyers? Let's just work out our personal issues on the internet...

[Bill]

Actually, they're all hacks, with the exception of Rowling, who might have created something for the ages. We shall see.

[ambrosiathe1]

Of course Meyers is atop the list of best-seeling authors--she writes insipid prattle for emotional-and-hormonally charged tweens/teenagers. A page right out of Disney's marketing playbook!
Let me just say, I attempted to read the first book, and for the first time in my life, I found myself skipping chapters to get to the "good part". "What is everyone talking about?", I wondered. Uninteresting, bland, and formulaic, it was an insult to art of storytelling.
Perhaps if she read some John Irving or Stephen King, Meyer might actually learn how to tell a story. She better hurry, though; that 15 minutes of fame disappears quick!

[Lisa]

"Meyer pulled in $40 million, Forbes estimates... "

Just makes my stomach turn to think how the poor thing is being forced to squeak by on $40 million!

[Sia]

No were NOT SLACKING.
Stupid Summit isn't paying her enough for the movies. They made 400 million Twilight. Over 710 million with New Moon and now Eclipse will make over 700 millions dollars AND THEY PAY STEPHENIE MEYER 7 million dollars ?
WHAT THE HELL ? The main three are getting paid like 40 million just for Breaking Dawn. They could at least pay Stephenie 20 million for each movie.
SUMMIT NEEDS TO GET LOST AND I hope the Host doesn't get picked up by them.

[Kass]

Well hello your answer is right there. She didn't have any books out. And Summit only paid her 7 million.