Top Hollywood Authors: The Hollywood Reporter Names The 25 Most Powerful (PHOTOS)

This story comes courtesy of The Hollywood Reporter and first appeared in the Dec. 7 issue of the magazine.

Written by Tim Appelo, Marc Bernardin, Lesley Goldberg, Borys Kit, Andy Lewis, Daniel Miller, Philiana Ng, Kimberly Nordyke, Sophie Schillaci and Tatiana Siegel

When THR contacted James Patterson about being on its inaugural list of the 25 most powerful authors in Hollywood, he scoffed. "Power list? More like powerless list."

But while conventional wisdom puts writers far down the totem pole, the truth is that from "The Hunger Games" to the upcoming "The Hobbit," books remain the most durable source of content for films and TV.

THR selected those living authors who have been most successful in shepherding their books from page to screen, balancing success in publishing (total output, sales, best-sellers) and in Hollywood (completed adaptations, projects in development, screenwriting and producing credits) while accounting for cultural influence. More power to them.

To see the entire list of Hollywood's 25 Most Powerful Authors, click over to The Hollywood Reporter.