Writers can’t wait to be up there in sales. In fact, it’s a dream to sell millions of copies. Not every book will be a winner, but as for those that do, they stand the test of time. Many of them have been translated into lots of languages so that they can reach more readers.
Some writers quit after just their first book. I mean, it could be frustrating launching a book that only gets a few sales. But the fact is that some authors wrote five, six, seven, or even eight books before they saw traction. I’ve even heard of some popular books that were rejected by publishers. The authors never gave up. Some spoke to ten, fourteen publishers until they got a yes. So, if you are starting or feeling behind, here are the top best-selling books (excluding religious and political books) of all time:
1. Don Quixote
It’s a novel written by no other than Miguel de Cervantes. A Spanish writer, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the Spanish language. Cervantes’ novel, Don Quixote, is one of his works for which he’s best known. And it’s said to be the world’s first modern novel. Copies sold: Over 500 million.
2. A Tale of Two Cities
Charles Dickens wrote this novel in 1859. He created some of the best-known fictional characters, but it wasn’t always gold. His schooling ended at age 15, and he became a clerk in a solicitor’s office, a shorthand reporter in the lawcourts. This helped him to gain experience in the legal world. His first love ended their relationship, but that didn’t deter him. In 1833, his first story, A Dinner at Poplar Walk, was published. A Tale of Two Cities has sold over 200 million copies.
3. The Lord of the Rings
It was written by a notable author, J. R. R. Tolkien. His works have won lots of awards. There is a lot you can read about Tolkien, but something worth noting is that his works have generated billions for the movie industry. The Hobbit trilogy has grossed over $3b, while The Lord of the Rings has grossed more than $2.9b in the box office, but that doesn’t mean it was profitable.
4. The Little Prince
It’s a novella by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. Published in 1943, The Little Prince has gone on to sell over 200 million copies, and it’s apparent people are loving it. Saint-Exupéry was also an aviator, but a tragic crash occurred while he was aboard an aircraft. The crash site is said to have been near the Wadi Natrun valley, close to the Nile Delta. It’s worth noting that the little prince has been translated into 300 languages.
5. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
J.K. Rowling is the author of this amazing book, which has sold more than 120 million copies. I know you’ve heard of Harry Potter, the film series. It has a total box office sales of over $7. Rowling wrote her first book at age six. Then, when she was eleven, she wrote a novel: Seven Cursed Diamonds and the People Who Owned Them.
