In a recent article we looked at what the top earning screenplay writers achieve for top script sales, including some which don’t get made into movies. Now we can see whether you’d be better off moving your writing skills in to the world of novels.
Forbes magazine has just unveiled its top list of novel writers and their pay scale information.
The top ten novelists on their list of the best-paid authors pulled in a combined $563 million between June 1, 2007, and June 1, 2008, thanks to large advances, imposing sales and movie adaptations. About JK Rowling “Over on the big screen, her Potter franchise has already generated $4.5bn at the worldwide box office - and she still has three more flicks to come” so perhaps it’s best to write novels and have them turned into movies – if you can get the writing gig after your novel has been optioned to a producer or studio.
The Top 10 Best-Paid Authors for the year:
1st JK Rowling - £300m
2nd James Patterson - $50m
3rd Stephen King - $45m
4th Tom Clancy - $35m
5th Danielle Steel - $30m
=6th John Grisham - $25m
=6th Dean Koontz - $25m
8th Ken Follett - $20m
9th Janet Evanovich - $17m
10th Nicholas Sparks - $16m
Many screenplay writers have thought about turning their screenplay into a novel, but then the thought of moving into another arena concerns a number of writers. However, it appears that it might well be worth the effort after all.
It’s all about numbers (after skill, talent, motivation and perseverance) – Ms Rowling has her name on over 375 million books, Stephen King also tops 350 million sales, James Patterson over 150 million. Twenty of Danielle Steel’s books have been turned into television movies.
I’ll spend some time looking at the major differences between a screenplay and a novel and share the article when it’s ready.
Now where’s that software programme that automatically turns a 90 page screenplay into a 450 page novel?
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