Just to elaborate on other comments: an "advance" is short for an "advance on royalties". So if the total royalties are less than the advance (pretty common BT

Just to elaborate on other comments: an "advance" is short for an "advance on royalties". So if the total royalties are less than the advance (pretty common BTW), they are said to have not "eaten out the advance" - and you don't get any more. If the royalties are greater, then you get them minus the advance (i.e. the royalties you already got). source: am writer