On Monday I wrote about the future of libraries, and how digital sharing and sampling are legally enabled either by open works (Public Domain or Creative Commons), or that retailers will have a vested interest in allowing sampling.
And on Tuesday, Amazon announced their ‘Kindle for the Web’, which allows eBook sampling and embedded excerpts on the web. You’ll be able to read the first chapter of books for free, and share via Facebook, Twitter and email. Plus there will be referral fees in the usual Amazon way if people buy books after seeing a preview on your site.
It makes total sense for Amazon to use the same model which has served them well to build the retail business – leverage a long tail of website publishers and social network users who can be rewarded in a small financial way if their recommendations result in sales.
I’m already looking forward to using it – not only will it enable me to share more of writing I recommend than fair use tends to allow, but imagine the boost to time spent on my site if you’re going through a whole chapter while you’re here! Now which tech books have the longest first chapter?