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!
@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.

@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.

@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