America’s 100 Bestselling Black Authors of 2024

The top 100 bestselling Black authors of 2024, ranked by total sales. Compiled by the African American Literature Book Club using Circana’s BookScan data. Also explore America’s Bestselling Books Written by Black Writers.

#1 Percival Everett

Percival Everett, a Distinguished Professor of English at the University of Southern California.

#2 James McBride

James McBride is a celebrated author and musician.

#3 Malcolm Gladwell

Malcolm Gladwell is an acclaimed English-Canadian journalist and author.

#4 Rachel Renee Russell

Rachel Renee Russell, Attorney, Author of the bestselling Dork Diaries series.

#5 Snoop Dogg

Calvin Broadus, known as Snoop Dogg, is a renowned rapper from Long Beach, California.

#6 Jason Reynolds

Jason Reynolds, an acclaimed author and professor, aims to engage readers, especially young boys, with his exciting books.

#7 Kimberly D. Moore

Dr. Kimberly D. Moore, a native of Abbeville, SC, is...

#8 Kennedy Ryan

Kennedy Ryan, an award-winning author, uses her work to empower women.

#9 Ta-Nehisi Coates

Ta-Nehisi Coates is the most critically acclaimed and journalist of his generation.

#10 Sharon M. Draper

Sharon M. Draper, Award Winning Children's Book Author

#11 Kwame Alexander

Kwame Alexander, Award Winning Children’s Book Author, Poet, and Literary Activist

#12 Octavia Butler

Butler was the first science fiction writer to be awarded a MacArthur Foundation Fellowship.

#13 Trevor Noah

Trevor Noah, a successful African comedian and host of the...

#14 Toni Morrison

Toni Morrison: One of America’s Most Beloved Writers. A Nobel Prize-Winning Author

#15 bell hooks

bell hooks, Author, Cultural Critic, Feminist Theorist

#16 Tomi Adeyemi

Tomi Adeyemi, a Nigerian-American author and creative writing coach, is...

#17 Jacqueline Woodson

Jacqueline Woodson, author of young adult, children's literature and poetry

#18 Isabel Wilkerson

Isabel Wilkerson - Author and Journalist

#19 Vashti Harrison

Vashti Harrison, Author, Illustrator and Filmmaker

#20 Michelle Obama

Former First Lady, Michelle Obama

#21 Victoria Christopher Murray

Victoria Christopher Murray, a Queens native, turned from a successful...

#22 Colson Whitehead

Colson Whitehead, born in 1969, is an acclaimed writer who...

#23 r.h. Sin

Reuben Holmes, known as r.h. Sin, is a New York...

#24 Zora Neale Hurston

“One of the greatest writers of our time.” —Toni Morrison

#25 N. K. Jemisin

Nora K. Jemisin, born in 1972, is a renowned speculative...

#26 Angie Thomas

Angie Thomas, a Mississippi-based author, gained fame with her debut...

#27 Amanda Gorman

Gorman Gorman, Poet and Activist

#28 Jerry Craft

Jerry Craft is a renowned cartoonist, children's book illustrator, and...

#29 Tia Williams

Tia Williams, hailed as a style insider, is a renowned...

#30 Jesmyn Ward

Jesmyn Ward, a Mississippi-born author and University of South Alabama...

#31 Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Award Winning Nigeria Author

#32 Margot Lee Shetterly

Margot Lee Shetterly, a writer, researcher, and entrepreneur, is known...

#33 Fawn Weaver

Fawn Weaver, founder of HappyWivesClub.com, is a renowned marriage advocate...

#34 Crystal Hubbard

Crystal Hubbard romance novelist and picture book author.

#35 Oprah Winfrey

Oprah Winfrey, a multi-billionaire and influential media owner, is best...

#36 Tabitha Brown

Tabitha Brown, Author and “America”s Mom.”

#37 Sarah Jakes Roberts

Sarah Jakes Roberts is a successful businesswoman, bestselling author, and...

#38 Nikole Hannah-Jones

Nikole Hannah-Jones is a Pulitzer Prize-winning reporter covering racial injustice for The New York Times Magazine and creator of the landmark 1619 Project.

#39 Nic Stone

Nic Stone, a New York Times bestselling author, is acclaimed...

#40 S. A. Cosby

Shawn A. Cosby, an Anthony Award-winning writer from Southeastern Virginia,...

#41 Sadeqa Johnson

Sadeqa Johnson, Author, Motivational Speaker, Meditation Instructor

#42 Walter Dean Myers

Walter Dean Myers, Author Winning Children’ Book Author

#43 Whoopi Goldberg

Whoopi Goldberg, Comedian, Actress, Author and Television Host

#44 Yaa Gyasi

Yaa Gyasi, a Ghana-born author raised in Alabama, is an...

#45 Mellody Hobson

Mellody Hobson is co-CEO and president of Ariel Investments, the first African American-owned mutual fund company in the United States.

#46 Renée Watson

Renée Watson, Writer, Performer, Educator

#47 Neil deGrasse Tyson

Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson, the first African American Head of...

#48 Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah

Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah, hailing from Spring Valley, NY, is a...

#49 Sonya Renee Taylor

Sonya Renee Taylor is the founder of 'The Body Is...

#50 Alice Walker

Alice Walker, born 1944 in Georgia, is a Pulitzer Prize-winning...

#51 Wes Moore

Wes Moore, Author, Television Producer, and Political Analyst

#52 Matthew A. Cherry

Matthew A. Cherry, Author, Director, Producer, Editor

#53 Tracy Deonn

Tracy Deonn, a North Carolina-based writer and fangirl, combines her...

#54 Nicola Yoon

Nicola Yoon a #1 New York Times Bestselling Author

#55 Michael Harriot

Michael Harriot is a renowned poet, journalist, and broadcaster, currently...

#56 Hanif Abdurraqib

Hanif Abdurraqib, Poet, Author,

#57 Derrick Barnes

Derrick D. Barnes, a Kansas City native and Jackson State...

#58 Mildred D. Taylor

Mildred D. Taylor, Author, YA Literature

#59 Lavaille Lavette

Lavaille Lavette is a bestselling author, social entrepreneur, and leadership...

#60 B. B. Alston

B.B. Alston is a South Carolina-based author known for his...

#61 Jewell Parker Rhodes

Jewell Parker Rhodes, Author, Educator

#62 Rio Cortez

Rio Cortez is a Pushcart-nominated poet and writer, recognized with...

#63 Angela Davis

Angela Davis is a renowned American political activist, scholar, and...

#64 Keke Palmer

Keke Palmer is an Emmy award-winning actress, singer/songwriter, producer, author, television host.

#65 Billy Chapata

Billy Chapata is a Zimbabwean poet and author based in...

#66 Tiffany D. Jackson

Tiffany D. Jackson, a TV professional and novelist, is known...

#67 Kekla Magoon

Kekla Magoon, an award-winning author of eight YA novels, including...

#68 Joy-Ann Reid

Joy-Ann M. Lomena-Reid, born in 1968, is a renowned TV...

#69 Frederick Douglass

Frederick Douglass (1818-1895), born into slavery, was an influential abolitionist...

#70 James Baldwin

James Baldwin, Author, Playwright, Poet and Activist

#71 Sister Souljah

Sister Souljah (Lisa Williamson), Wife, Author, Recording Artist and Activist

#72 Rita Williams-Garcia

Rita Williams-Garcia, a PEN/Norma Klein Award winner, is known for...

#73 Kiley Reid

Kiley Reid, Iowa Writers' Workshop MFA graduate and Truman Capote...

#74 Cole Arthur Riley

Cole Arthur Riley, a New York Times bestselling author, is...

#75 Ralph Ellison

Ralph Ellison, National Book Award and Pulitzer Prize–winning author.

#76 Frank Berrios

Frank Berrios is a prolific children's book author, known for...

#77 Danzy Senna

Danzy Senna, a celebrated novelist and essayist, focuses on identity,...

#78 Ross Gay

Ross Gay, Poet

#79 Maya Angelou

Maya Angelou, born Marguerite Johnson on April 4, 1928, was...

#80 Ibi Zoboi

Haitian-born, New York-raised author Ibi Zoboi is an MFA holder...

#81 Jayne Allen

Jayne Allen, pen name of Jaunique Sealey, is a Duke...

#82 Sherri L. Smith

Sherri L. Smith is a renowned author of young adult,...

#83 Shanora Williams

Shanora Williams is a NY Times and USA Today bestselling...

#84 Lebron James

LeBron James, an acclaimed basketball player with three NBA championships,...

#85 Shasta Clinch

Shasta Clinch is a freelance copy editor and proofreader with nearly two decades of experience in the publishing industry.

#86 Walter Mosley

Walter Mosley, one of America’s most celebrated and beloved writers.

#87 Christopher Paul Curtis

Christopher Paul Curtis, born in Flint, Michigan, worked in a...

#88 Antonia Hylton

Antonia Hylton, an award-winning journalist at NBC News, reports on...

#89 Carole Boston Weatherford

Carole Boston Weatherford, Children’s Book Author, Poet, Author

#90 Ben Carson

Dr. Benjamin Carson, once a child from a poor, single-parent...

#91 Uche Blackstock

Dr. Uche Blackstock is a Harvard-educated physician and leader in addressing bias and racism in health care.

#92 Brittney Griner and Michelle Burford

Brittney Griner, a renowned basketball player, and Michelle Burford, a...

#93 Audre Lorde

Audre Lorde: Black, Lesbian, Feminist, Mother, Warrior Poet

#94 JaNay Brown-Wood

JaNay Brown-Wood, Author & Educator

#95 Tananarive Due

Tananarive Due, American Book Award-winning author of nine books, holds...

#96 Malcolm X

Malcolm X, Muslim minister and Activist

#97 Clay Cane

Clay Cane is an award-winning journalist, author, and radio host.

#98 Morgan Harper Nichols

Morgan Harper Nichols is an acclaimed artist, poet, musician, and bestselling author.

#99 Ketanji Brown Jackson

Justice Ketanji Onyika Brown Jackson, born September 14, 1970, is...

#100 Ishmael Beah

Ishmael Beah, a Sierra Leonean author and human rights activist,...