Top Best-Selling Authors of the 21st Century

There are numerous authors and literary champions who have captivated worldwide readers with their published works across various genres, voices, and styles. These authors are known to have achieved commercial success with millions of sold copies and have influenced cultural conversations and literary trends. This article lists some of the best-selling authors of the 21st century, highlighting their careers and contributions to contemporary literature. These authors across genres, including crime, thriller, romance, comedy, sci-fi, and drama, have left an indelible mark on the industry through their thought-provoking works.

1\. Sharon Maas

Sharon Maas is a Guyanese novelist who has published 14 novels to date. She was born in 1951 in Georgetown, Guyana, into a politically active family. She currently resides in Ireland, having previously lived and worked in Germany for 40 years and in India for two years. Maas released her debut novel, “Of Marriageable Age,” in 2000, published by Harper Collins. Her first three novels focused on the coming-of-age experience and struggle to find identity, set against Indian and Guyanese backgrounds. In 2011, Maas released “Sons of Gods,” which is a retelling of the Mahabharata. Her work explores the themes of culture, family, and human conditions and has been translated into Spanish, French, German, Polish, Hungarian, and Danish. Other notable works include The Violin Maker's Daughter, The Soldier's Girl, The Sugar Planters Daughter, and The Lost Daughter of India.

2\. Elin Hilderbrand

Elin Hilderbrand is an American author known for her romance novels set in Nantucket. In 2019, New York Magazine named her "the queen of beach reads." Hilderbrand explores themes of love, family, and relationships, and she is known for writing engaging summer reads. She released her debut novel “The Beach Club” in 2000 and has since published 30 novels and short stories, including titles such as The Sixth Wedding: A 28 Summers Story, Summer of '69, The Perfect Couple, Golden Girl, and The Hotel Nantucket.

3\. Alexa Riley

Alexa Riley is the pen name for the writing duo Melissa King and Lea Robinson. The duo is known for writing short, 20,000-word love stories with happy endings. Some of the popular titles include Mechanic, Everything for Her, and PS...You’re Mine. Most of their works feature a male character who is obsessed with the female protagonists. Recurring themes and plots include billionaires and powerful men, pregnancy and babies, virgins, older heroes, and paranormal elements. The duo has been recognized as New York Times, USA Today, and #1 Amazon bestselling authors. Alexa Riley also hosts a weekly podcast, The Read Me Romance podcast, featuring audiobook novels.

4\. Sarah J. Naughton

Sarah J. Naughton is a British author known for her work in children's and young adult literature. She was born in 1975 in Dorset, England, and graduated with a degree in English literature from University College London. Before starting her writing career, Naughton worked as an advertising copywriter for over a decade. She released her debut novel, “The Hanged Man Rises,” in 2013. The supernatural thriller book made it to the Costa Children's Award shortlist. Naughton is known for writing psychological thrillers for young adults and adults, combining elements of suspense and psychological depth. Notable works include The Festival, Tattletale, The Other Couple, and The Mothers.

5\. Penny Reid

Penny Reid is an American author known for writing engaging and humorous romance novels. She is known for her work in the contemporary and romantic comedy genres that feature witty dialogue and strong characters. Her books often incorporate themes of family, friendship, and personal growth. Reid made her literary debut in 2013, with the release of Neanderthal Seeks Human. The book is a part of her popular series Knitting in the City, which gained significant popularity. The series follows women who are passionate about knitting and their romantic adventures. Other notable series include The Winston Brothers and The Hypothesis Series. The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today have all featured Reid on their bestseller lists.

6\. B. B. Easton

B. B. Easton is an American author best known for her memoir "44 Chapters About 4 Men," which inspired the Netflix series "Sex/Life." Easton was a psychologist and a new mother before she transitioned into writing. Her debut novel, "44 Chapters About 4 Men," is a contemporary romance detailing her romantic relationships and experiences with four men. The book blends humor, romance, and comedy and was on Amazon's Top 100 Bestseller list. Netflix picked up the book and turned it into a three-season series, Sex/Life! The book also won the After Dark Book Lovers Shortie Award for Best Debut of 2016. Other notable works include “Bad Boys Don’t Die Trilogy,” “The Rain Trilogy,” “Group Therapy,” and “Devil of Dublin.”

7\. Steve Cavanagh

Steve Cavanagh is an Irish author known for his legal thrillers and crime novels. He was born and raised in Belfast, Northern Ireland, and was a lawyer before becoming a writer. He is best known for his Eddie Flynn series, which features an artist turned lawyer. The series has three books, including his debut novel, “The Defense,” published in 2015, followed by sequels such as The Liar and Thirteen, which was nominated for the Theakston Old Peculier Crime Novel of the Year Award. Cavanagh’s literary works are characterized by fast-paced plots, clever twists, and engaging characters that explore themes of justice, morality, and darker aspects of human nature.

8\. T.R. Ragan

Theresa Ragan, also known as T.R. Ragan, is an American author known for writing across the thriller, time travel, and contemporary romance genres. She was born and raised in Lafayette, California, and worked as a legal secretary before becoming a full-time author. Ragan released her debut novel, "Abducted,” in 2011. Abducted was the first in Ragan’s most acclaimed Lizzy Gardner series, followed by publications such as Dead Weight, A Dark Mind, Obsessed, Almost Dead, and Evil Never Dies. Other notable works include Faith McMann and the Jessie Cole series, as well as standalone novels like Such a Beautiful Family and Best House On The Block. Her writings feature strong and resilient female protagonists and suspenseful plots, exploring the themes of family, survival, and overcoming adversity. Since 2011, Ragan has sold over 3 million books and has been featured in industry-leading publications such as Publishers Weekly, the L.A. Times, Huffington Post, the Wall Street Journal, and PC Magazine.

9\. Lisa Wingate

Lisa Wingate is an American bestselling author, former journalist, and inspirational speaker. She is known for writing historical and contemporary novels exploring themes of family, loss, and resilience. She has written over 30 novels and has received numerous awards, including the Goodreads Choice Award for Historical Fiction and the Pat Conroy Southern Book Prize. She is best known for authoring “Before We Were Yours,” which remained on the New York Times bestseller list for over two years and has sold more than three million copies worldwide. The novel was inspired by the Tennessee Children's Home Society scandal. Other works include “Shelterwood,” “Before and After,” “Tending Roses,” and “The Language of Sycamores.”

10\. E.K. Blair

E.K. Blair is an American bestselling author known for her emotionally charged novels that often explore themes of love, trauma, and healing. She began her writing career in 2013 with her debut novel, Fading, which became a New York Times and USA Today bestseller. Blair has published numerous works across the Black Lotus and Fading series, including Bang, Echo, Freeing, and Falling. Her writing is characterized by emotional depth and relatable characters, making her a prominent voice in contemporary and new adult romance. With over 24 books to her name, E.K. Blair has garnered a dedicated readership and continues to captivate audiences with her compelling storytelling.