Not since Judy Blume has an author so adeptly captured — and profited from — teen angst as Meyer. Her four-book Twilight series has sold more than 100 million copies and has been printed in 37 languages. In 2008, her net worth was $125 million, and Forbes estimates her annual income at $40 million. It’s hard to believe the Cave Creek, Ariz., housewife never had written so much as a short story before publishing her first book. According to Amazon, she ranks as the second-best-selling author of the decade, beaten only by Harry Potter’s J.K. Rowling. “Twihards” can enjoy Bella and Edward’s tormented love affair in a movie franchise that has grossed more than $1.7 billion worldwide, with two films yet to come. Meyer surely won’t suffer much financially going forward; her post-Twilight trilogy, starting with No. 1 New York Times best-seller The Host, is in preproduction at Nick Wechsler Prods. and is rumored to begin shooting early next year.

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