Comments on: Michael Bourret asks, "What’s in an advance?"

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By: Joya

Joya — Mon, 18 Aug 2008 02:12:00 +0000

This was so interesting. Thank you for taking the time to explain.

By: Suzanne

Suzanne — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 00:24:00 +0000

I appreciate your level-handed explanation about advances. But... I believe a larger advance would motivate the publisher to put more marketing dollars behind promoting the book to help it earn back its investment.

A book that did not have a large advance would not provide that incentive.

By: Lev Raphael

Lev Raphael — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 22:53:00 +0000

Some authors who might not be raking in huge advances make a lot of money on speaking engagements. Years ago, my first editor at St. Martin’s predicted that I’d have a good career through money earned that way which most years would likely surpass book earnings themselves. Since 1991, I’ve been lucky to speak across the country at colleges and universities, book fairs, churches and synagogues, libraries, foundations and do quite well financially from year to year. And then there’s this: if 50+ people come hear you at a college and you get your expenses paid plus a speaking fee, you’re way ahead of where you’d be if you had a book store event. I discovered years ago that most of those gigs are a waste of time (except for making connections with the staff) because too many stores over-schedule.

By: jurassicpork

jurassicpork — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 00:21:00 +0000

This doesn't tell me anything I don't already know (but then again, I'm 49 and have been around the block more than a few times so I can plausibly lay claim to some advance knowledge.).

Nonetheless, this blog post raises several good questions as well as issues.

The advance, it's commonly understood, is not only an upfront payment against royalties, it's also supposed to allow the author to take at least a year or so from the rat race so they can write their next book.

But since newbies often get shit from publishers in the way of advances, that kind of queers the chance for a multibook deal, which can benefit both author and publisher.

My former friend Alex Kava, when Phillip Spitzer got her signed at Mira books, got her a three book deal in the low six figure range. And she was a firsttime author (I read A Perfect Evil, her debut novel, when it was still in ms and I persuaded her to not 86 Spitzer when she was losing patience with him). The advance allowed her to get the followup, Split Second, on her publisher's desk within the allotted 6 month time frame.

Of course, a low advance is as bad as no advance. Not only are you working against royalties but if the publisher and its sales and marketing depts in their P&L can only muster a half-assed advance, chances are the PR press kit will also suck like an Olympic pool drain and leave the book to twist in the wind.

But that's a rant for another day...

By: Allison Knight

Allison Knight — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 15:24:00 +0000

Very interesting information. It is reassuring that, as an author who is interested in the children’s paperback business, I can interest a company by making money for them! As I write fantasy/adventure, I don’t expect everyone to buy my first book, but building a reputation is extremely valuable to my own sales as I intend to write a series. Mary Pope Osborne is not worrying about her first advance, now that she is on book #34 or so… Thank you for explaining it.

By: Laurie Woodward

Laurie Woodward — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 04:12:00 +0000

One thing I’ve read is that with greater advances come increased expectations for author marketing. Just how much, and to what extent is an author expected to promote his/her novel?

By: Kim Kasch

Kim Kasch — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 00:25:00 +0000

It's hard for me to imagine making a million dollars and then saying to myself, "I'm such a failure."

But I appreciate this info. it's really hard to find any info on this subject.

By: Janna Qualman

Janna Qualman — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 21:24:00 +0000

Thanks so much! You’ve answered a lot of my own questions with this post.