I was just talking with someone who is publishing an adult novel this year, and we started talking advances. This person held the view that if I managed to get published with my MG novel, my advance would at the highest be half of hers (she refused to tell me the exact number, but I suspect somewhere around 7000-10000 USD).
So now, I'd like to get straight and honest figures. What kind of advances can a first-time children's writer with a MG novel expect? I'll be submitting in the UK, but US figures would be interesting, too.
Thanks!