Have time to answer a question? Muchly appreciated.

Imagine that you are an established writer, in any area and genre.
Would you allow a /bookstore/internet cafe to sell your book, but also have it's first chapter (or one or two pages of your poetry) to be printed out that would be accessible to all customers, before they decide to buy the book?

I don't see much point in that. If they are selling it, then it is most likely on display and customers could pick it up, open it, and read some of it if they wanted (as they should) before buying it. Personally, unless I was referred to a book by more than one person that I hold to high standards, I wouldn't buy the book without reading some of it first.

Well, Amazon has the first few pages of books listed (Only of certain ones) and I would certainly allow it.

Just like Write Me said, most people read the first few pages of something before deciding. You can't choose a book solely on the cover or back synopsis. I never can, because sometimes a writers style bothers me, and I would never have liked the book if I had bought it.

A person could just as easily sit in the store for an hour and read your book, rather than buy it. So having the first few pages on the internet is safe.

The actual book wouldn't be allowed in the 'cafe' area, on the sleeve containing the first chapter/first pages etc.

Why not? They might like it.

The actual book wouldn't be allowed in the 'cafe' area, on the sleeve containing the first chapter/first pages etc.

I'm not sure what you mean, the second part of that sentence doesn't really relate to the first part...

I don't think you will sell many copies that way. Most people aren't going to buy something they have no idea what is.

*sigh* I'll try explain properly. There's three areas, a cafe area (sit and eat), a bookstore area and a internet room.

This question is only really connected to the bookstore area. The idea is that if they see a book they like, instead of feeling like an idiot and reading the first few pages standing in the bookstore, hoping no one notices you, there are the first few pages in a plastic sleeve that you can read, while sitting in the cafe area so that you can eat, get a drink whilst deciding whether or not you want to buy the book. The actual book wouldn't be allowed in the cafe area, because they would most likely get wrecked by food.

The question I am asking, is would you allow for the first few pages of your book to be copied, so that they may be put in the plastic sleeve, which a person can look at without having to buy your book.

yes.

I would.

I think so. Even if it just makes customers think that if there's a big fuss being made about showing off my book, it must be good.