January 11, 2011

Sneak peeks & excerpts

I read the first 111 pages of Beth Revis' ACROSS THE UNIVERSE today online (legally, of course).

I cannot wait to read the rest.

When PARANORMALCY came out, HarperTeen teased with the first 70-something (I think) pages. I gobbled them up, then bought the book and finished it.

If a book's good and you get me hooked (as Revis' and White's novels did), I'm going to find a way to finish it (legally, of course!).

Which one would think might help sales. Just a tad, you know?

PARANORMALCY was a New York Times Bestseller, so HarperTeen did something right. With the buzz surrounding UNIVERSE, I can't help but think it will be equally as successful.

Do you think releasing the first several chapters (or, in the case of UNIVERSE, a sizeable chunk of the book) boosts a book's sales?


The first 111 pages of ACROSS THE UNIVERSE can be found online from 11:11am-11:11pm EST today. If you weren't sure about this book before, I think you will be after reading this extended excerpt!

6 comments:

Rachel Bateman said...

Beth's book totally pulled me in too! I am definitely buying it. I really, really think putting excerpts up helps sales. Of course, there will always be those who go out of their way to get it illegally still, and having legal excerpts won't stop that, but these give enough reading for the apprehensive buyer to get hooked and turned into an eager buyer.

Pam Harris said...

I think releasing a few pages of a book can definitely pull readers in. After reading the 1st chapter of ATU, I just knew I was going to buy that book when it was released. However, I don't think I would want to read more than the 1st chapter or so online. I may get disappointed that I can't read the rest at that moment!

Unknown said...

I think it's a good marketing strategy (and the 1/11/11 11:11 tie-in was cute) but I personally don't read excerpts because I get really frustrated when I can't keep reading!

Emy Shin said...

For me, it depends on how powerful and well-written the first few chapters are. Posting excerpts is more useful for a book that begins with action, with something huge happening, and ends the excerpt with a cliffhanger.

It can work against the book, too. There are books I've bought because of rave recommendations/hypes that I wouldn't have if I'd had the chance to read the first few chapters.

But in ACROSS THE UNIVERSE's case, the first chapter excerpt is fabulous.

Golden Flamingos said...

Hi there, we’re the golden flamingos! Me and my friends created this blog, as a collaboration, to review books and we're kind of new to the blog world, so we wouldn't mind a couple extra followers or comments. Constructive Critic is welcome.
By the way, I am dying to read that book “Across the Universe”, especially because I read the first chapter on the website and now I can’t read it. I don’t know when it’s going to be out in my country... Probably I’ll have to order it. So, in my humble opinion, first chapters of books are welcome!
So, if you want, please check us out. We'd love that. Oh, and sorry for the spamm'y comment.

Rute

Krispy said...

I think if the first chapters are strong and intriguing enough, it definitely helps. I know I went out and bought Across the Universe because I read those 111 pgs. The first chapter made me decide to read it; the larger excerpt made me decide to buy it.

I also like it because it lets me get a better idea of the book and the writing style, which could push me to buy it.

As it is, I have so many books I'm interested in from their blurbs/cover copy that it's hard for me to decide what to buy, what to borrow, and what to rain check.

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