The world of literature is full of prolific authors, but have you ever thought about who’s actually written the most books? Writing indeed is hard and it takes a lot of time to write a book.
So can you think about the time needed to write 10 books, 100 books, or perhaps even 1000?
Has anyone done that?
Well, there are writers who have produced more books than you can even imagine owning.
So let’s take a look at a few contenders for this wild record, and you might be really surprised by who’s in the running.
L. Ron Hubbard
L. Ron Hubbard is one name that often tops lists of the most prolific authors. Not only did he create religion (Scientology), but he also managed to write more than 1,000 works in his lifetime.
1084 to be exact!
Some of them were novels (books), but many were works related to his philosophy and Scientology itself. His output is almost unbelievable.
What’s crazier is that he didn’t slow down. By the end of his life, Hubbard’s books and works had covered a range of genres, including science fiction, adventure, and even self-help.
It’s said that he wrote fast and created words like a machine. Some days, he could write tens of thousands of words.
His most famous work is arguably Dianetics: The Modern Science of Mental Health.
Interesting fact: Hubbard holds a Guinness World Record for the most published works by one author.
Barbara Cartland
When it comes to romance, no one really outdoes Barbara Cartland. Known for her somewhat fluffy romance novels, Cartland wrote – wait for it – 723 books during her lifetime.
She had a way of putting words together that attracted a massive audience. Her love stories were simple, but they also struck a chord with readers looking for an escape.
What’s more amazing is that even in her 90s, Cartland was still pumping out books at an amazing rate.
She was reportedly capable of writing 20 or more books per year, all by dictation to her secretary. Cartland’s novels sold over a billion copies globally.
Probably her most famous book is Hazard of Hearts from her Eternal Collection.
Interesting fact: Barbara Cartland also holds a Guinness World Record for the most novels published in a single year—23 novels.
Isaac Asimov
Another fascinating writer is Isaac Asimov. You probably know him for his Robot stories and the Foundation series, but his output goes far beyond that.
In total, Asimov wrote or edited around 500 books during his life, touching on topics like history, science, and even humor.
His unbelievable range came from his deep curiosity about the world.
Asimov once said, “I write for the same reason I breathe—because if I didn’t, I would die.”
And it’s clear he lived by that motto.
What’s additionally impressive about Asimov is that he didn’t stick to one genre.
He tackled everything from astronomy to mathematics in his nonfiction works, but he’s also remembered as one of the most influential science fiction writers of all time.
Asimov was incredibly disciplined in his approach.
His daily routine? Writing. Always writing.
Interesting fact: Despite being a prolific science fiction writer who wrote extensively about space travel, futuristic technology, and the exploration of the universe – he was very much afraid of flying. He actually flew only twice in his lifetime.
Ryoki Inoue
You may not have heard of—Ryoki Inoue, but this Brazilian writer is the king of fast writing. He’s often credited with writing more than 1,000 books, mostly pulp fiction, westerns, and thrillers.
What sets Inoue apart is how quickly he can work. He’s written books in one or two days, and his record is writing three entire books in a single day.
Now, that’s really amazing.
He uses several pseudonyms, which is a trick many prolific writers employ to help sell more books in different genres.
Inoue doesn’t just write fast; he writes constantly.
For decades, he’s kept an intense daily writing schedule, writing out words almost as if his life depended on it.
Interesting fact: Ryoki Inoue holds the Guinness World Record for the most books written by a single author.
Alexandre Dumas
Alexandre Dumas, author of “The Three Musketeers” and “The Count of Monte Cristo,” is another extremely prolific author.
Dumas’s works are loved for their heroic adventure and historical depth, but what many don’t know is how much of it he produced.
Between plays, novels, and articles, Dumas wrote around 277 volumes.
One of the ways he managed to keep up with this pace was through collaboration. Dumas frequently worked with ghostwriters or collaborators to help him write out his ideas and produce more books faster.
Interesting fact: Dumas’s writing was so influential that, even today, "The Three Musketeers" remains one of the most adapted stories in film and television.
Enid Blyton
When it comes to children’s literature, Enid Blyton dominates like almost no one.
Known for series like “The Famous Five” and “The Secret Seven,” Blyton produced around 800 books throughout her career.
And that’s not counting her numerous short stories, magazine articles, and plays. She had a great ability to understand what young readers wanted.
Her formula was simple but effective: kids, mystery, and adventure.
Her work ethic was intense. Blyton would sit down in her study and write for hours every day, barely stopping to take a break.
Some of her fans believe she could write entire novels in just a few days. ž
Interesting fact: Blyton’s books have been translated into over 90 languages.
Charles Hamilton
One of the most overlooked prolific writers is Charles Hamilton. Under the pen name Frank Richards, Hamilton wrote the “Billy Bunter” series, among many other works.
In his lifetime, he’s estimated to have written more than 100 million words—yes, you read that right. That many words would be enough to fill more than 1000 standard novels.
Hamilton wrote mostly school stories and serials, which were hugely popular in the early 20th century.
Hamilton could produce work at an astonishing speed, often writing multiple stories in a day.
His dedication was almost monastic, rarely leaving his study for long.
Although he isn’t as well-known today as Dumas or Cartland, in his time, Hamilton was a writing phenomenon.
Honoré de Balzac
Finally, let’s talk about Honoré de Balzac, the French novelist, and playwright best known for his massive series of novels and stories called “La Comédie Humaine“.
This collection aimed to give a comprehensive look at French society in the early 19th century. Balzac’s ambition was enormous.
He worked constantly to produce a complete social and moral history of France through his books.
By the time he died, he had written over 90 novels as part of this epic project, not to mention his other works.
Balzac’s work ethic was legendary.
He would often work for 15 or 16 hours a day, fuelled by endless cups of coffee. His productivity wasn’t just about quantity—it was also about depth and insight.
He managed to capture the full range of human experience, from the aristocracy to the poor.
Interesting fact: Balzac reportedly drank 50 cups of coffee a day while writing "La Comédie Humaine."
