Laurell K. Hamilton: Vampire hunter sinks teeth into marketing -- Merchandise has transformed best-selling vampire author Laurell K. Hamilton into a scarily good businesswoman.

The Sweet Potato Queen's financial plan: Fill more socks -- Jill Conner Browne, writer of the riotously funny 'Sweet Potato' series of books, lives wildly, but invests cautiously.

Hunter S. Thompson: surprised he's still here -- The father of Gonzo journalism is now established enough to be in the same neighborhood as a Saudi prince, but he can still give a good rant.

Jane Monheit doesn't follow fads -- Her songs are often more than twice her age, but classic tunes are a perfect fit for this jazz singer.

Carl Hiaasen always kept his day job -- Hiaasen's characters may be wild, but the author certainly isn't when it comes to money.

Ted Casablanca's financial secrets revealed! -- The E! Network gossip-meister says that in Hollywood, talking about money is often taboo.

Hugh Hefner on business success -- The Playboy founder's advice: Find something you're passionate about and stay focused on it. Easy for him to say.

Amy Lee: Evanescence fortune won't fade away -- The rock band's lead singer says she's recruiting financial experts to make sure her fortune doesn't vanish ... evanescently.

Checkbooks frighten horror master John Saul -- The writer can bang out classic horror tales at breakneck speed, but he's "emotionally incapable" of writing routine checks.

Jim Harrison knows his financial limits -- Writers think they ought to be good with money, but they mostly aren't, says the author of "Legends of the Fall."

Robert Shapiro: Law trumps finance -- Ten years after the O.J. Simpson trial cemented his place in the world of celebrity lawyers, Robert Shapiro has no reason to regret abandoning his first choice in careers: finance.

Michael Connelly's mysterious computer addiction -- The novelist likes his detectives hard boiled, but he has such a weakness for new computers that he lines his garage with his collection.

Bela Fleck invests in his music -- Renowned crossover banjo player Bela Fleck pours his money back into his home studio.

Craig's List founder keeps a nonprofit attitude -- The founder of the famed site for jobs, apartments and dates says he's happy with his charity and his "nerd values."

Carl St. Clair doesn't conduct his finances -- The charismatic conductor waves the baton at international orchestras, but his wife wields the family checkbook.

Know Ben Stein's money -- He's gone from a hippie living in a forest to an author, actor, attorney, speechwriter and much-loved square who knows more about keeping money than giving it away.

Traci Lords: X marks her past -- The former underage porn star is shedding light on a legitimate life that has an active acting career, a new husband and a real estate portfolio.

Kinky Friedman: Success against all odds -- The iconoclastic master of the who-cares-whodunnit says, "Money may buy you a fine dog, but only love can make it wag its tail."

Kathy Ireland: From supermodel to supermogul -- Her company started with a line of socks. Now, it's a $1 billion corporation.