10 top-selling Washington state authors

Lit life |

If you've ever thought of writing a book, maybe you've had this beautiful dream: You write your masterwork. It's published. It is praised in respectful newspaper and magazine reviews, featured on websites, blogged and Twittered about across the land. Your family and friends are sooooo proud of you. Your high-school classmates say, "Wow. Really? Him (or Her)?"

Beautiful dream, part II: Your book sells a million copies and you never have to work again. Except to write the next book.

Readers, it's time to reveal the writers among us who have approached that beautiful dream (Part II).

Last month, Publishers Weekly published its annual "Facts & Figures 2010" issue, which lists last year's best-selling titles. Your faithful correspondent has gone through the entire 25-page, tiny-type list to discern which Washington-state authors are doing not just good, but well. Very well.

Caveat one: These figures are supplied by the publisher and are on the honor system. Caveat two: This was teeny-tiny type; I might have left someone out.

Here's the list. Some of these books were published before 2010, but they're still selling like hot cakes, one reason some authors have multiple entries:

1 Debbie Macomber, the phenomenally popular Port Orchard author of women's fiction:

"Hannah's List" (hardback) 152,117 copies

"Call Me Mrs. Miracle" (hardback) 148,332

"One Night" (mass-market paperback) 901,618

"1012 Evergreen Place" (mass-market paperback) 575,091

"Orchard Valley Grooms" (mass-market paperback) 526,133

"Summer on Blossom Street" (mass-market paperback) 510,552

"Midnight Sons, Vol. 3" (trade paperback) 125,215

"Thursday at Eight" (trade paperback) 104,824

Total: 3,043,882 books.

2 Richelle Mead, Kirkland author of the best-selling "Vampire Academy" series for teens:

"Last Sacrifice — Vampire Academy #6" (hardcover) 484,849 copies

"Spirit Bound — Vampire Academy #5" (hardcover) 420,485

"Blood Promise — Vampire Academy #4" (paperback) 191,095

"Vampire Academy" (the first book in the six-book series) (paperback) 141,925

Total: 1,238,354 books.

3 Lisa Kleypas, Bellingham women's-fiction author:

"Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor" (hardback) 11,237 copies

"Wallflower Christmas" (mass-market paperback) 505,963

"Love in the Afternoon" (mass-market paperback) 503,254

Total: 1,020,454 books.

4 Kristin Hannah, Bainbridge Island author of women's fiction:

"Winter Garden" (hardback) 257,893 copies

"Winter Garden," (trade paperback) 305,670

"True Colors" (trade paperback) 257,840

Total: 821,403 books.

5 Steve Martini, Bellingham-based author of legal thrillers:

"The Rule of Nine" (hardback) 120,294 copies, 15,410 (e-book) downloads

"Guardian of Lies" (mass-market paperback) 606,591 copies

"Shadow of Power" (e-book) 17,178 downloads

"The Rule of Nine" (e-book) 15,410 downloads

Total: 774,883 books.

6 Julia Quinn, Seattle-area author of historical romance fiction.

"Ten Things I Love About You" (mass-market paperback) 527,316 copies, 17,239 (e-book) downloads.

Total: 544,555 books.

7 Sherman Alexie, Seattle-based poet, essayist and author of books for adults and children:

"The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian" (paperback): 213,251 copies

8 Karl Marlantes, Woodinville debut novelist:

"Matterhorn: A Novel of the Vietnam War" (hardback): 164, 907 copies

9 Elizabeth George, Whidbey Island author of the England-based Inspector Lynley mysteries:

"This Body of Death" (hardback): 120,921 copies

10 Patricia Briggs, Tri-Cities fantasy author:

"Silver Borne" (hardback): 100,000 copies

Mary Ann Gwinn: 206-464-2357 or mgwinn@seattletimes.com.