Sarah J. Maas has claimed the title of the year’s bestselling author after the first quarter, newly released Circana data shows. This achievement highlights a strong surge in the romance and fantasy genres and serves as a case study in how TikTok popularity can catapult authors to fame years after their works first release.
Sarah J. Maas, the author of three fantasy series, has enjoyed a significant surge in popularity thanks to the “BookTok” community on TikTok. As of 2024, Maas has sold 3.1 million print books and secured two spots on the top 10 bestselling books list for the month of March, according to Circana.
Sarah J. Maas’ net worth is estimated to be around $8 million1. This impressive figure is primarily derived from her book sales, royalties, and various adaptations of her novels. Maas’ financial success is a testament to her popularity and the dedicated readership she has cultivated over the years.
“A Court Of Thorns and Roses,” the first book in a Maas series of the same name released in 2015, was the No. 2 bestselling book of March 2024 with 139,440 print sales. The second book in the series, “A Court of Mist and Fury,” secured the No. 6 spot with 88,099 sales.
Of the top 10 bestselling adult books last month, nine were either fantasy or romance novels. This includes the No. 1 selling title “The Women” by Kristin Hannah, another TikTok favorite author, who sold 215,564 print copies in March. The only non-romance or fantasy title to make the top-10 list was the self-help book “Atomic Habits” by James Clear, which sold 85,745 copies.
Sarah J. Maas’ success story is a remarkable example of how social media platforms like TikTok can influence book sales and author popularity. Her net worth of $8 million reflects her status as a leading figure in the fantasy and romance genres, with a dedicated fan base that continues to grow.