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(NewsNation) — Melania Trump’s autobiography “Melania” sits atop the Amazon bestseller list (currently ranked third among all books), but unlike other famous first ladies, she didn’t get a huge advance.
One publishing insider told me, “Her publisher is Skyhorse, and they don’t give big advances, if any.”
In contrast, Hillary Clinton made $8 million of her memoir in advance (and another $5 million in royalties), while Michelle Obama got a jaw dropping $65 million along with her husband former President Barack Obama in a joint deal for their books in 2017.
MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN – JULY 18: Former first lady Melania Trump arrives on the fourth day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum on July 18, 2024 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Delegates, politicians, and the Republican faithful are in Milwaukee for the annual convention, concluding with former President Donald Trump accepting his party’s presidential nomination. The RNC takes place from July 15-18. (Photo by Leon Neal/Getty Images) 
WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 14: U.S. First Lady Melania Trump speaks during a roundtable on sickle cell disease in the State Dining Room of the White House on September 14, 2020 in Washington, DC. The First Lady held the event “to support those affected by Sickle Cell Disease, and to reaffirm our goal of finding a cure.” (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images) 
WASHINGTON, DC – DECEMBER 11: First lady Melania Trump stands behind her husband U.S. President Donald Trump a second Hanukkah reception of the evening, in the East Room of the White House on December 11, 2019 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images) 
WASHINGTON, DC – JANUARY 13: First lady Melania Trump waits for U.S. President Donald Trump to join her before boarding Marine One while departing from the White House on January 13, 2020 in Washington, DC. President Trump is traveling to Kenner, LA to attend the college football national playoff championship game. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images) 
US First Lady Melania Trump arrives to take part in a spousal event at the Chateau de Versailles (Palace of Versailles) in Versailles, outside Paris, on November 11, 2018 as part of commemorations marking the 100th anniversary of the 11 November 1918 armistice, ending World War I. (Photo by Alain JOCARD / AFP) (Photo by ALAIN JOCARD/AFP via Getty Images) 
WASHINGTON, DC – SEPTEMBER 03: First Lady Melania Trump speaks during an event to mark National Alcohol and Drug Addiction Recovery Month in the East Room of the White House on September 3, 2020 in Washington, DC. The First Lady hosted a round table event with people who are recovering from substance use and mental health issues. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)
But the good news for Melania — whose 198-page book is selling for various prices ($250 for a collector’s edition, $150 for a signed copy and $40 for a regular copy) — is that she potentially can earn even more.
“The money goes straight to you,” my source added. “You don’t have to ‘earn out’ your advance. You don’t have to wait for obscure accounting to take effect on how much you get in royalties. It’s a clear split — however much they decided, what percentage each party gets — and you get the fruits of your rewards immediately.”
Skyhorse Publishing publishing didn’t return calls.
