The controversial Chinese Writers Rich List has become an indicator of the publishing and reading trends in the country.

The list, revealed on Thursday afternoon by publishing observer Wu Huaiyao and the Western China Metropolis Daily in Chengdu, Sichuan province, shows that writers of online literature, children's books and serious literature as well as celebrity writers earn the most, in terms of royalty income, in 2013.

Jiang Nan, who began as an author of online fantasy stories, tops as the highest paid author on the list of 60 writers, with 25.5 million yuan ($4.2 million) royalty earnings from November 2012 to this November.
Nobel literature laureate Mo Yan is listed second with 24 million yuan followed by "fairy tale king" Zheng Yuanjie with 18 million yuan.

"The income is more or less close to reality in my situation," Zheng told China Daily in Chengdu.

"I view the rich list as a positive thing that highlights writers' work and efforts," Zheng said.

Zheng said the list also shows children's publications are thriving in China.