Read it First

with Suzanne Beecher, Read-it-First Editor

Read-it-First: Frequently Asked Questions

  • What is Read-It-First?

    Read-It-First is a free email service that allows you to “test read” books in your email. Each day, Monday through Friday we email you a portion of a book that takes only five minutes to read. By the end of the week, after reading the first couple of chapters, you’ll know if it’s a book you want to finish. Each week we feature a new book.
  • What type of books will I receive?

    You’ll receive a wide variety of our latest releases. Often we’ll include a book prior to publication, so you really will have the opportunity to “Read-It-First.”
  • What if I don’t like a book?

    Just hit the delete key and wait for a new book to start the following Monday. Don’t be surprised, however, if you discover a book that you normally wouldn’t read.
  • What if I’m too busy to read?

    Actually this program was designed for busy people. That’s why we limit each day’s excerpt to about five minutes of reading.
  • Can I share the books with my friends?

    Yes, please do! You can forward the emails and share the books with your friends and coworkers. You can sign up your friends at our sign-up-a-friend page or have your friends sign up at the St. Martin's Website.Excerpts are also available on some book pages on the St. Martin's Website.
  • Can I print out the book excerpts?

    Yes, just use the “print friendly” link at the top of each day’s email.
  • How do I win autographed copies of the books?

    Quite often we offer autographed copies of an author’s book. Just watch for the announcements in your email and then send us an email so your name will be included in the drawing.
  • What about privacy?

    We only use your email address to deliver the book excerpts and other book related information from St. Martin’s Press. We do not share this information with anyone else.
  • What if I want to stop receiving the books?

    At the bottom of each day’s email there is an unsubscribe link. Just click on that link and send a blank email or send an email to Suzanne@Read-It-First.com

Sign up to Read-it-First!

Why sign up? Read our FAQs!

Upcoming Titles:

It All Began In Monte Carlo by Elizabeth Adler
Week of July 20th:
Elizabeth Adler
Wanting Sheila Dead by Jane Haddam
Week of July 27th:
Jane Haddam
Poison by Sara Poole
Week of August 2nd:
Sara Poole
Mothers and Other Liars by Amy Bourret
Week of August 9th:
Amy Bourret
Burn by Nevada Barr
Week of August 16th:
Nevada Barr
Waxed by Robert Rave
Week of August 23rd:
Robert Rave
Maybe This Time by Jennifer Crusie
Week of August 30th:
Jennifer Crusie

Previously Featured:


Murder at Mansfield Park by Lynn Shepherd
Week of July 13th:
Lynn Shepherd
Stork Raving Mad by Donna Andrews
Week of July 6th:
Donna Andrews
The Scarlet Contessa by Jeanne Kalogridis
Week of June 29th:
Jeanne Kalogridis
Sizzling Sixteen by Janet Evanovich
Week of June 22nd:
Janet Evanovich
The Devil Amongst the Lawyers
 by Sharyn McCrumb
Week of June 15th:
Sharyn McCrumb