Buzz
For inspiration to complete that novel you’ve been drafting, consider the most extraordinarily productive authors in history. Together, they’ve released thousands of works, spanning from lesser-known pieces to global bestsellers. Discover how many publications are needed to join the ranks of literature’s most prolific writers by exploring the list below.
Creating a thorough compilation of the most prolific authors in history presents challenges. Defining what qualifies as a published, full-length book is contentious, particularly for older writers who released their works in serialized formats. Moreover, many famous authors rely on ghostwriters to produce numerous titles annually. While rankings of the most published authors may differ, these names frequently dominate the discussion.
As per Guinness World Records
While Hubbard holds the official record, his output is surpassed by other authors depending on the criteria applied. Corín Tellado, the Spanish romance novelist, is credited with over 4,000 works throughout her career, as reported by Barnes & Noble. This staggering number not only places her among history’s best-selling authors but also among the most prolific, with estimated sales ranging from 600 million to a billion copies. Barbara Cartland and R. L. Stine also achieved best-selling status, thanks in part to their extensive bibliographies.
While some authors effortlessly produce multiple books annually, others are notorious for their struggles with writer’s block. After exploring the list below, dive into these book series that remain unfinished by their original creators.
- Corín Tellado: ~4000 published works
- L. Ron Hubbard: ~1084 published works
- Ryoki Inoue: ~1075 published works
- Enid Mary Blyton: ~800 published works
- Barbara Cartland: ~723 published works
- Isaac Asimov: ~500 published works
- R.L. Stine: ~450 published works
