The amount an author can expect to be paid for a first novel in the UK varies widely depending on the factors mentioned above. In general, first-time authors can expect to receive an advance of between £5,000 and £10,000 for a debut novel in the UK. However, advances can range from as little as £1,000 to as much as £50,000 or more, depending on the book's potential commercial success.
It's important to keep in mind that the advance is not free money. It is an advance against future royalties, which means that the author will need to earn back the advance through book sales before receiving any additional royalty payments.
Conclusion
The amount a publisher is willing to pay for a first novel in the UK depends on several factors, including the genre, the author's platform, the quality of writing, and the book's marketability. While advances for debut novels can range widely, first-time authors can expect to receive an advance of between £5,000 and £10,000. However, it's important to remember that the advance is not free money and that the author will need to earn back the advance through book sales before receiving additional royalty payments. Ultimately, the key to success is to focus on writing a well-crafted, well-written novel that will appeal to a broad audience and attract the attention of publishers.