New Writer Advances

[ErikHolmes]

So I was talking to Chaos last night (I know, its a bad habit and I'm trying to quit) and the topic of how much people get for their first book came up. He seemed really surprised that an unpublished author could get like a $10,000 advance for their first fantasy book.

Its my understanding that this is pretty standard for a fantasy book.

Now, I know that six figure advances for non-fantasy books can get much higher. Twilight got $250,000 per book ($750,000 total). I have a friend who just made a deal for between $100,000 - $250,000 I think (he won't tell me, anyone have a publishers marketplace account? lol). His book is called The Monster Hunters and its a middle grade book about kids who figure out monsters are real. He's supposed to be taking the slot Holly Black's Spiderwick Chronicles had.

What I'm really wondering is what's the highest advance you've heard of for a first time fantasy author? I want to say Brandon got $20,000 for both Elantris and Final Empire (so really $10,000 per book). Anyone heard of someone who's gotten more than this?

Anyone know what's considered standard for other spec fiction? I'm mainly curious about advances from the more established publishers. I know there are a lot of smaller publishing companies out there that where you would get a lot less, but personally I've always felt you are shooting yourself in the foot by signing with one of them.

[Jexral]

Terry Goodkind's first book 'Wizard's First Rule' was auctioned for $275,000.  So, that's a bit more than 20,000.  That is, though, the most ever paid for a fantasy novel by a first time writer.

[Shivertongue]

Terry Goodkind's first book 'Wizard's First Rule' was auctioned for $275,000.  So, that's a bit more than 20,000.  That is, though, the most ever paid for a fantasy novel by a first time writer.

Umm... why? Was everyone drunk?

[Peter Ahlstrom]

Robert Newcomb got more than Goodkind. And look where that got him.

[Silk]

Terry Goodkind's first book 'Wizard's First Rule' was auctioned for $275,000.  So, that's a bit more than 20,000.  That is, though, the most ever paid for a fantasy novel by a first time writer.

Umm... why? Was everyone drunk?

Considering how well the thing sold... I'm gonna go (reluctantly) with "no" on that one.

[ErikHolmes]

Terry Goodkind's first book 'Wizard's First Rule' was auctioned for $275,000.  So, that's a bit more than 20,000.  That is, though, the most ever paid for a fantasy novel by a first time writer.

It was also so long ago that I wonder if it should even be included. The business has changed a lot in sixteen years. Hell, David Farland just posted an article about how its changed a lot in the last five years.

Still, that's pretty awesome. I didn't know they'd ever shelled out that kind of money for a fantasy book. I'm wondering how much books like Sabriel, Lies of Locke Lamora or Name of the Wind got.

Robert Newcomb got more than Goodkind. And look where that got him.

That was for 3 books though. Goodkind's advance was just for the 1 book.

[Peter Ahlstrom]

I believe Neecomb's one-book number was still higher than Goodkind's.

[WriterDan]

I tried to read The Fifth Sorceress once, and even though it was a long time ago, the only thing I remember about it was that it was bad.  Wizard's First Rule was actually a pretty good book.  It's the ones that come after it that devolve so quickly into rubbish.  Unfortunately, Tor has signed him back up for more books.  Guess there are enough people that will buy his stuff.  I've been forever cured of that certain malady, however.

[Bookstore Guy]

I believe Eldon Thompson's advance was enormous as well.  I heard $120K a novel, but I can't find anything to back that up.  That first novel was awful.

If there is one drawback to being a book reviewer, it is that Terry Goodkind writes novels that have to read.  I wish he would retire to save the sanity of reviews around the world.

[Silk]

I tried to read The Fifth Sorceress once, and even though it was a long time ago, the only thing I remember about it was that it was bad.  Wizard's First Rule was actually a pretty good book.  It's the ones that come after it that devolve so quickly into rubbish.  Unfortunately, Tor has signed him back up for more books.  Guess there are enough people that will buy his stuff.  I've been forever cured of that certain malady, however.

Agreed. I never even read the last one.