Skip to main content

Though most writers aspire to be listed among the best-selling authors of all time, just think of the honor it would be to have your name there! From William Shakespeare’s day to J.K. Rowling’s more modern era, we will showcase the writers who have sold the greatest books throughout history in this blog.

Bestselling authors of all time that sold their books throughout history.

Shakespeare, William (1564–1616)

Four billion copies of William Shakespeare’s works are in print, making him the best-selling English language author and the bane of many high school students’ existence. The “Bard of Avon” wrote 154 sonnets, three lengthy narrative poems, and 39 plays, including well-known pieces like Othello, Hamlet, and Romeo and Juliet.

Christie, Agatha (1890 – 1976)

According to Guinness World Records, Dame Agatha Christie is the most translated author in history and the best-selling novelist in the world today. Murder on the Orient Express And Then There Were None are two of her best-known books.

Cartland, Barbara (1901–2000)

Dame Barbara Cartland authored an incredible 723 books in her career, most of which were romances. Even though each book only sold slightly more than a million copies on average, her prolific output made her one of the best-selling authors of all time. A Hazard of Hearts and The Bored Bridegroom are two of her best-known pieces.

Steel, Danielle (1947–)

Danielle Steel has authored 190 books since her debut in 1978. She has written novels that have all been best-sellers, and she manages up to five projects every year. Rich families and their problems—such as incarceration, fraud, blackmail, and suicide—are the focus of the majority of her romantic tales. Moreover, Safe Harbour and Jewels are two of her best-known pieces. She is considered to be one of the best-selling authors of all time.

Harold Robbins, 1916–1997

In addition to his remarkable career ascent from clerk to executive at Universal Pictures, Harold Robbins authored over 25 best-selling novels that have been translated into 32 languages and sold over 750 million copies worldwide. Elvis Presley starred in the 1958 movie King Creole. Which was based on his 1952 book A Stone for Danny Fisher.

Simenon, Georges (1903–1989)

Author Georges Simenon hailing from Belgium penned more than 400 novels and a large number of short tales. His seventy-five Jules Maigret detective stories are among his most well-known creations. The 17th most translated writer of all time is Simenon.

Blyton, Enid (1897–1968)

Author Enid Blyton has sold over 600 million copies of English children’s novels since the 1930s. Her children’s novels included mysteries, natural history, education, fantasy, and biblical stories, among many other themes and subjects.
Her art has, meanwhile, also come under fire for its occasionally xenophobic and racist portrayals of outsiders and people of color. Despite this, The Famous Five, The Secret Seven, and The Five Find-Outers, among other children’s books, continue to be popular.

Sheldon, Sidney (1917–2007)

Writing Broadway plays and Hollywood screenplays, such as The Bachelor and the Bobby-Soxer and I Dream of Jeannie, was where Sidney Sheldon first gained his experience. However, Sheldon made a change of direction and started penning romantic suspense novels after turning 50. His eighteen published works include bestsellers such as Master of the Game and The Other Side of Midnight.

Rowling, J.K. (1965–)

J.K. Rowling went from being a struggling single mother to becoming a best-selling billionaire in a couple of years. Thanks to a novel she wrote on an outdated typewriter.
Her best-selling Harry Potter books have inspired a film, merchandising, and amusement park franchise, with over 500 million copies sold worldwide.

Theobald, Patten (1866–1945)

Under the pen name Burt L. Standish, Gilbert Patten penned over 75 books and countless short stories that are considered classic dime novels. In addition, he penned numerous Westerns, but his most well-known works are the Frank Merriwell story.

Conclusion

To sum up, if you are a fan of reading novels and story books by one of the best-selling authors of all time, we got it covered. For further information do visit our website, and try the ones you didn’t know were all-time favorites.

Leave a Reply