LISNews: Library Futurists

Exerpted from a Del Rey newsletter (though I first heard about this via Boing Boing):

On March 4, 2009 - Random House, Inc. unveiled the first five titles in its new Suvudu Free First Book Library. Designed to introduce new readers to popular and acclaimed science fiction and fantasy series, the Suvudu Free First Book Library allows readers to access free digital copies of the first book in each series.

The program launches with access to the following novels:

• His Majesty’s Dragon by Naomi Novik
• Assassin’s Apprentice by Robin Hobb
• Settling Accounts: Return Engagement by Harry Turtledove
• Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson
• Blood Engines by T.A. Pratt

The books will be made available through Random House’s science fiction/fantasy portal, Suvudu.com, as well as on other content services, including Amazon Kindle, Sony Reader, Scribd.com and the Stanza ebook reader application for the iPhone.

New titles are scheduled to be added to the Suvudu Free First Book Library on a regular basis. Coming soon are Terry Brooks’s Magic Kingdom for Sale—Sold!, Elizabeth Moon’s Trading in Danger, and many more.

Baen Books also has a fairly large free ebook library - a lot of them are first in a series which is a nice way to sample a new author.

cathy