Pratchett was the UK's best-selling author of the 1990s, and as of December 2007 has sold more than 55 million books worldwide, with translations made in 33 languages. He is currently the second most-read writer in the UK, and seventh most-read non-US author in the U.S. In 2001 he won the Carnegie Medal for his children's novel "The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents".

Despite his popularity, Pratchett is often described as having a ‘cult following’ - a factor seen as having, in the past, hindered his literary recognition. Pratchett, who was named an Officer of the Order of the British Empire "for services to literature" in 1998, holds the record for the most shoplifted author in Britain.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terry_Pratchett