If you receive a negotiated advance of $100k, you must earn that much in book sales, or pay them back.

You’ll hear authors complain about never seeing a dime after their advance check. But what you don’t hear them mention, probably because it’s embarrassing, is the fact that they had to pony up the difference when the book flopped.

If the contract lets you off this hook, mostly because they’ve identified other rights-related income sources, you will suffer the consequence of being blackballed in the industry. 

No other traditional house will touch you again because you represent a loss. 

If you’d like to better understand the traditional publishing industry, rife with pitfalls, check out our free resource, 12 Horrific Things About the Publishing Industry You Need to Know to Safeguard Your Wallet.