"I don't think I could write another," Mrs. Pilcher, whose latest book commanded an advance of more than $6 million, said in an interview.
As well, if your work does not command a sizable advance, at least 5 figures, you may not be worth the agent's time.
That doesn't suggest that my own book proposal could even command a very promising advance, much less sell more than a handful of books.
The book could command a seven-figure advance, Julie Bosman writes, and the questions for publishers to ponder include, will Ms. Knox be considered a sympathetic figure to most book-buyers?
The very campaign that plucked her out of Alaska, anointed her the Republican vice-presidential nominee and made her one of the most talked about women on the planet — someone who could command a reported $5 million advance for writing this book.
Consecutive rounds of consolidation and price-cutting have left less room for new bands to begin with, and advances are dropping, too: A new act that once might have commanded a $250,000 advance is lucky to get half of that.
Gone are the days when Michael Holroyd could command a high six-figure advance for a four-volume study of George Bernard Shaw.
In January 1919 he commanded troops defending Gródek Jagielloński; in March that year he commanded an infantry division, advancing to Stawczany and Zbrucz.
And if the book commands a seven-figure advance, as is widely expected, will it be worth it?
The appearance of Tony Blair commanded a level of advance billing and media absorption that was almost on a par with Bill Clinton testifying about his relations with Monica Lewinsky.
