You can sign a book contract and you can accept royalties, but only after the book sells. That's not the usual deal in publishing. Authors are usually paid half or a third or some portion up front as an advance against future royalties. If the book doesn't make back that amount, then it's the publishers tough luck. The Senate rules just say a senator can take an unlimited amount of royalties as long as it's from an established publisher and only under usual and customary contractual terms.
Advances are customary.
I'd be very surprised if Hillary Rodham Clinton, who has been fairly circumspect throughout her public life, will get less circumspect as a U.S. senator and as a person with presidential ambitions. She was looking at one. It's not clear whether the Clintons are looking at it to buy or rent. But it's very clear that the Clintons will be able to afford it if they want it. All Rights Reserved.