Thank you for your fascinating research. With rare exceptions, enormous advances go to writers who have famous names, whether as writers, politicians, or performers. Bono's "Surrender" received a lofty advance, but the marketing is also ingenious, in that he's presently on an extensive book tour which is also an extraordinary live concert and a monologue containing many of the scenes from the book, and all attendees receive a copy of the memoir, thus guaranteeing many thousands of books sold. https://medium.com/bouncin-and-behavin-blogs/bono-at-the-beacon-f5349a268e52