[dudul]

Not really sure what this comment is trying to demonstrate.

Using what actual published authors make on book deals is a good way to estimate what the value of such an initiative should be.

Maybe a lot of people will be interested in the project and fund it, then great. But publishers investigate the market thoroughly before signing a deal with an author, and they offer advances and royalties based on what they think the book will make. When an author received a $7,500 royalties advance on a book it's because the publisher thinks this is a good indicator of what the book will generate in royalties.