James Patterson stands out as the most prolific creator of our time, however don’t count on him to rattle off his stats like a sports activities announcer.
In a brand new sit-down with Graham Bensinger, the king of thrillers received actual about his record-breaking profession, future tasks with some very well-known names (trace: MrBeast and J.J. Abrams!), and why he doesn’t care in case you suppose James Patterson is a literary “stylist” as a result of he’s in it for the story.
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James Patterson Has ‘No Thought’ How Many Bestsellers He’s Had
Regardless of holding the crown for essentially the most #1 New York Instances bestsellers in historical past, Patterson claims he’s not retaining rating.
As for the viral stat that 6% of all hardcover novels offered within the U.S. are written by him?
“No, that’s loopy. No. The writer makes stuff up. Don’t imagine that,” Patterson laughed.
However in terms of one other jaw-dropping declare, that his books have outsold Stephen King, John Grisham, and Dan Brown mixed lately?
“That’s true,” he confirmed.
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Patterson Stuns With Over 100 Bestsellers
James Patterson isn’t only a bestselling creator. He’s the bestseller record.
The literary machine has formally revealed over 200 books, and greater than 100 of them have dominated the New York Instances bestseller record. The person’s principally received a everlasting parking spot on the high.
If that wasn’t wild sufficient, James Patterson holds the Guinness World File for essentially the most #1 New York Instances bestsellers by a single creator with a jaw-dropping 67 titles. That’s greater than some individuals have learn of their total lives.
And he’s not slowing down. The publishing powerhouse has offered over 425 million copies of his books across the globe. From thrillers to younger grownup fiction, Patterson’s mastered each style he touches, and normally co-writes half of them with a pace that will make your head spin.
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A few of his greatest hits embrace the “Alex Cross” collection, which has offered over 81 million copies, the “Girls’s Homicide Membership,” “Most Trip,” and “Personal.”
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James Patterson x MrBeast? Consider It
James Patterson’s subsequent wave of tasks reads extra like a blockbuster movie slate than a e-book record. He revealed he’s teaming up with YouTube megastar MrBeast (aka Jimmy Donaldson) on what might be a record-breaker.
“He needs it to be the bestselling novel within the final 50 years,” Patterson stated. “And I wouldn’t wager in opposition to him. It’s story. It comes out of what he does, however then takes it farther.”
Not solely might the e-book usher in main numbers, nevertheless it may also get Gen Z studying once more. “Yeah. That’d be good,” Patterson added with a smile.
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He’s Bought J.J. Abrams And… Hitler?

Patterson additionally simply offered a undertaking to J.J. Abrams’ manufacturing firm, Unhealthy Robotic, and it’s a serious departure from his standard crime thrillers.
“That is the Nazi e-book I talked about,” he stated. “What I like about it’s it’s so uncommon for me to do a historic, as a result of Hitler was accused of homicide within the thirties in Munich. And it’s a extremely cool story, which hasn’t actually been instructed.”
James Patterson Admits ‘You Don’t Have To Be A Nice Author…’

Whereas James Patterson has lengthy confronted criticism for his simple prose, he’s not pretending to be the following Hemingway. For him, it’s all in regards to the narrative.
“When you inform story, you don’t essentially should be an incredible author,” he defined. “Freida [McFadden], no matter, not an incredible author, however actually good tales. A whole lot of my stuff, Grisham most likely, I don’t imply to demean John, however let’s say not an incredible stylist. However good tales.”
In different phrases, he says to save lots of the literary snobbery, the man has 400 million books offered for a purpose.
So, whether or not he’s writing courtroom dramas, YouTube-fueled adventures, or uncovering Hitler’s forgotten secrets and techniques, it is cleat that James Patterson isn’t simply telling tales, he’s rewriting the rulebook.