Actually, I think this is good news. We get sample chapters (as advertising) & the Sci Fi channel gets another reason to keep the exceptional scifi.com site alive.
Each month, one Tor title will receive the SCI FI Essential stamp of approval, which will mark it as a title to be promoted with such special features as sample chapters and sneak peeks of upcoming books on SCIFI.COM, possible promotion on SCI FI’s handheld AvantGo channel, a highlight in SCI FI Magazine’s books section and on-air coverage of select titles.
I’m just always cynical about advertising & cross promotion, y’know? It’s like subliminal messages. I know they think all they’re doing is *informing* their readership, but advertising should be clearly marked ‘Advertising’ not ‘Hey, check this out, I think you’ll like it!’
We’ll see.