J.K. Rowling, creator of the enduringly popular “Harry Potter” series, has topped the list of the world’s highest-paid authors after earning $95 million, according to Forbes.

Crime novelist Patterson was knocked down from the top perch to the No. 2 spot this year, with earnings of $87 million

Far below in earnings in the third spot were children’s book writer Jeff Kinney, of “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” success, with $21 million in earnings and Dan Brown of “The Da Vinci Code” fame in fourth with $20 million. Horror master Stephen King rounded out the top five.