As a published writer, I have the joy of realising that I still owe my first publisher money from my book “System Shock”. Even though I was paid and the book was written almost four years ago, I’m still technically in their owing to file, but so are the vast majority of published authors around the world. It all has to do with advances and royalties.
Max Barry, author of several successful novels, has just experienced the joy of actually selling through his advance and explains the basics of advances and royalties in his unique way.
Owing money on something you wrote then successfully sold to a publisher is just another one of those great aspects of being a writer. Now I can see why so many good authors are going the self-publishing route.