Scalzi
So, hey, if you want to read the first three chapters of my upcoming novel Starter Villain - for free, even - head over to your favorite online bookstore and search for "Starter Villain Sneak Preview." Enjoy!
Jul 11, 2023 at 6:44pmWeb
Show threadJohn MacFarlaneJul 11, 2023

@scalzi The book, in full form, isn’t available until 19 September. That’s a big wait from reading the first three chapters. 🤷🏻‍♂️

Am planning on buying but probably won’t do the sample.

Show threadColdforgeJul 11, 2023
@scalzi I read it last night, it was very good and I hate that I have to wait months to read the rest 😭 Thanks for writing!
Show threadFeralRobotsJul 11, 2023

@Coldforge @scalzi
yeh this is why I often don't do samples. Also I suspect that in some cases they may make me less likely to buy the final product.

...that said I do find it fun to notice the differences between samples & final product.

Show threadSteve HerseyJul 11, 2023
@scalzi
Ooh, interesting! Thanks!
Show threadWendy NatherJul 11, 2023
@scalzi You sure know how to make my day!
Show threadXenoPhage Jul 11, 2023
@wendynather @scalzi
Show threadWendy NatherJul 11, 2023
@XenoPhage @scalzi I walked right into it, it’s true. And that has nothing to do with the fact that I am covered in my own personal cat hair.
Show threadkepstinJul 11, 2023

@scalzi sweet, queued it up to sync to my Kobo. Gotta say, the cat picture really sells the book on social media.

(also, "At the Publisher's request, this title is being sold without Digital Rights Management Software (DRM) applied." is always something that gives a nice happy feeling inside)

Show threadXenoPhage Jul 11, 2023
@scalzi Oh no, I won't fall into your torture trap.. Dangling three chapters out there.. Just enough to get that hook in and have us jonesing for the release. NO! I won't do it.
Show threadEigenseideJul 11, 2023
@scalzi Thanks!
Show threadFeralRobotsJul 11, 2023
@scalzi oh man i love that cover.
Show threadtim daltonJul 11, 2023
@scalzi Interesting. For me, even though i’m excited for a new book from you, I can wait to enjoy it whole. Super Cover and great marketing. I applaud you and your publisher.
Show threadPattacakekJul 11, 2023
@scalzi I searched for it on Amazon, it’s listed at a pre-order, but no preview.
Show threadJim. From Kansas.Jul 11, 2023
@scalzi Nope, not falling for that. I was at the WorldCon where you read the first chapter of The Collapsing Empire and had to wait six months to find out what happened next. I can wait until the book comes out, thank you very much.
Show threadStephen ReesJul 11, 2023
Chapters Indigo hasn't got it either
Show threadMichael VilainJul 11, 2023
@scalzi Comments on your blog say B&N, Amazon, and other sellers aren't offering any sort of free preview. Perhaps you could post those chapters on your web site so that these greedy sellers don't get the traffic they're hoping for.
Show threadScalziJul 12, 2023

@mvilain

That's not accurate as I downloaded a version off of B&N. It's possible it's not on non-US versions of those stores.

Show threadMichael VilainJul 13, 2023

@scalzi Not sure what URL you used but I went to the B&N site, entered "Starter Villain" and the page displayed for a pre-order. NOWHERE on that page was an option to read the a preview of the book. I didn't login. I'm in the US.

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/starter-villain-john-scalzi/1141976532?ean=9780765389220

Same for Amazon, except I am already logged in as an Amazon Prime member. No preview.

https://www.amazon.com/Starter-Villain-John-Scalzi-ebook/dp/B0B9KVXCQ6

Starter Villain|Paperback

Now a New York Times bestseller!Featuring an exclusive short story from the perspective of your favorite feline!Inheriting your uncle's supervillain business is more complicated than you might think. Particularly when you discover who's running the place....

Barnes & Noble
Show threadFractal KittyJul 12, 2023
@scalzi can’t wait for this!
Show threadStarry DynamoJul 12, 2023
@scalzi Read it, pre-ordered it. Then wound up buying the Dispatcher stories. I love the first 2 I've read so far! For a good time, read Scalzi.
Show threadInfamousUnknownJul 12, 2023
@scalzi Any word on the narrator for the Audio version?
Show threadScalziJul 12, 2023

@InfamousUnkown

https://www.audible.com/pd/Starter-Villain-Audiobook/B0C6FPMDGV

Show threadInfamousUnknownJul 12, 2023
@scalzi Ahhh, the bane of Sheldon Cooper.
Show threadveuveJul 14, 2023
@scalzi Just read it through my library (Libby) and thoroughly enjoyed it. Looking forward to the book!