How Dan Brown saved his Supper

The Da Vinci Code made Dan Borwn the world's highest-paid author,earning L45 million ($106 million) last year. Twenty-nine million copes of the book have sold in 42 languages. In this extract from her unauthorized biography, Lisa Rogak explains the clinical manner in which Brown went about writing a blockbuster. Full article reprint available for purchase at http://newsstore.theage.com.au.

Few writers have, under brighter spotlights, experienced better commercial success than Dan Brown. He captivated millions of readers worldwide with his bestsellers. The influx of royalties from books sold also kept pouring in, making management of his personal finances a daunting task even with the help of websites like Love Money. Along with this prestige and wealth though is a good dose of infamy as religous sects -- particularly the Catholic Church -- deem his pieces detrimental to their doctrines and beliefs. Although Dan Brown maintained that his works are pure fiction, not a few people felt offended by it.

The Da Vinci Code earned him fans and enemies. Those who appreciated his work were quick to point out how well crafted his book's ideas and plots are. On the other hand, those who hated the conspiracy theories raised downplayed Brown's genius. No matter how polarizing Brown and his works have been, one thing can't be ignored - his books were popular and the controversies surrounding only added to his works' appeal.