Are Independent Bookstores really any different than Barnes & Nobles and other large chain bookstores?

Are Independent Bookstores really any different than Barnes & Nobles and other large chain bookstores?

Sadly, they aren't. For the most part, they're exactly like the bigger bookstores, at least for us Independent authors who are attempting to utilize our supposed Independent bookstores to get sales.

Here's an example. My daughter wants to go to a book event that Octavia Bookstore in New Orleans is hosting. We have to buy a ticket or rather pay for a book before we get there. The event is being held at a larger facility because the author is a NYT best-selling author (not an independent author) who will undoubtedly draw a pretty big crowd NO MATTER IF OCTAVIA BOOKSTORE ADVERTISES.

I called to find out when we needed to arrive to make sure we got there in time to get the book we paid for. I also asked what did it take to set up a similar event as I was an author attempting to put a book tour together. Immediately (or perhaps it was just my imagination) the tone of the one I was speaking to became somewhat condescending. They rattled off all the "big published" authors who had just graced the steps of their "independent" bookstore such as Stephen King. Wow! Really? Why is he doing an event at an Independent bookstore? The large bookstores are for the larger published authors. The Independent bookstores are supposed to give us independent authors a chance or at least that's the way I understood it.

That's not to be though. Because when I asked what would it take for me to put Octavia books on my book tour, I was told that "they" would have to look at my book and "they" would have to see if it was something their store would want to carry. WHAT!!! And I'd have to "give" them a review copy to "look" at. WHAT!! And then "they'd" get back with me. WHAT!!! They didn't bother to ask my name, my credentials or anything. Just wrote me off (at least that's my opinion.)

To this day I will NEVER understand why INDEPENDENT bookstores CLAIM to be there for the small published author or small publishers nor will I EVER understand why they humor book events by large published authors. Those authors don't need the help. Their "large chain bookstores" won't even allow small published authors in to do events (sometimes they will if the books are returnable by that "industry standard" return policy that ensures your books will be stolen and resold.)

For the love of God and for the sake of the authors Independent Bookstores pretend to be helping, would somebody tell them to WAKE UP! We're dying here and most of us don't want to see brick and mortar stores go. We'd like to help but they won't even give us a chance.

*Sue takes deep breaths. Tries to breath without spitting.*

Arrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrgggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!