I have always been suspicious of self-published books, thinking them likely to be of inferior quality as compared to those that a publisher chose and printed, and the self-published titles I have seen through the years have usually shown this suspicion warranted.
Still, I have been haunted by stories of the difficulties many, now-well-regarded writers have had placing their first book, and I have to wonder how many good or even great manuscripts sit in drawers, their authors unable to catch the eye of the right agent or editor at the right time.
For myself, I felt "God Is a Rubber Duck" was certainly ready for mainstream publication, but I wanted it be released and hopefully discussed before the 2008 presidential elections. That is why I chose self-publication.
However, as I have said, I can understand why many readers may still be leery of buying a self-published novel. I have, therefore, decided to make the first five chapters available, as free. If you can read these five chapters and walk away from the story, then I have not done my job anyway. Please enjoy these chapters with my compliments.
These files will require Adobe Acrobats Free Reader, (Available here).
Chapter 1, Sunday August 31, 6:30 PM : The Duck Sinks
and
Chapter 2, Monday, September 1, 7:15 AM : The Duck Song Stinks (1 file)
Chapter 3, Monday, September 1, 8:35 AM : The Duck At Work and the Pig Decides
Chapter 4, Monday, September 1, 10:25 AM : A Red Rubber Ball and Patriotic Bastards
Chapter 5, Monday, September 1, 4:30 PM : The Duck Is Trashed and a Body Found
"God Is a Rubber Duck" is not available at bookstores, but you can purchase it at Amazon.com (also available in Kindle Version) or Createspace.comboth of which provide secure platforms for internet purchases.