According to the 2010 Top 25 Richest Chinese Writers list, Yang Hongying is at top position with 25 million yuan ($3.76 million). At the bottom, is Jia Pingwa with 1.6 million yuan.

The top three are writers of teen and children's fiction, a clear indication that young people comprise the largest proportion of the reading public, says the list's creator Wu Huaiyao.

The other spots are occupied by books that focus on the workplace, the economy and those by writers from Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Wu also attaches a sub-list of Top 25 Foreign Writers Who Earned the Most in China.

Top five richest Chinese writers of 2010

1: Yang Hongying, with 25 million yuan.

Yang is a children's book writer known for the series on a naughty, clever boy named Ma Xiaotiao and Diaries of the Smiling Cat. Her feel-good stories touch readers with their humor and wisdom.

2: Guo Jingming, with 23 million yuan.

He rose to wealth and fame at a young age. His books are all best-sellers themed on urban youths' romantic love and he also runs a popular literary magazine presenting young authors with similar interests.

3: Zheng Yuanjie, with 19.5 million yuan.

Zheng is a much-loved children's book writer who criticized the education system in the 1980s and 1990s for stifling children's imagination and originality.

4: Dangnian Mingyue (penname), with 9.5 million yuan.

The online writer is known for the series that tells semi-historical stories of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

5: Zeng Shiqiang, with 7.8 million yuan.

The Taiwan writer promotes the so-called Chinese-style of management in his book series that explores the application of traditional Chinese wisdom from the I Ching, Confucianism and the strategies of Sun Tzu to business and management.

Top five foreign writers who made the most money from the mainland market in 2000-2010

1: J.K. Rowling, with 95.5 million yuan. British writer who rose to fame with the Harry Potter series.

2: Thomas Brezina, with 30 million yuan. This Austrian writer of children's books is known for the mystery series The Knickerbocker Gang, A Mystery for You and The Tiger Team.

3: Dan Brown, with 18 million yuan. US writer of The Da Vinci Code and The Lost Symbol.

4: Haruki Murakami, with 12.5 million yuan. This Japanese writer has swept the Chinese book market with his new book 1Q84, and has been influencing the country's readers for decades with works like Norwegian Wood.

5: Stephenie Meyer, with 12 million yuan. A US writer best-loved for her Twilight series, a vampire-themed saga.