Nice eye-opener for Small Publishers.

I just called a Barnes & Nobles in Georgia to see if they, because sometimes individuals stores do, allow for Small Press authors to come in on conssignment since B&N corporate discourages, frowns on and otherwise makes it impossible for Small Press publishers to come into the stores and was told this (I am paraphrasing as I don't remember word for word):

CRM: Since you're a local author--

Me: I'm not local.

CRM: Small publisher, (actually that was word for word so far) then we would have to call our district office (maybe home office. Basically "B&N are Us") and have you approved and they only approve large publishers.

Me: Actually I already know that but have run into a few B&N's who will still take books on consignment from a Small Publisher. Just calling around to see if I might stumble across one.

CRM: Actually their phasing the in-store CRM's out. A lot of us have been laid off and the ones they've kept are for outside sales, like schools and businesses. They're working toward no more in-store events. Maybe you can find another store that does this.

Me: Based on what you just told me I'm sure I won't waste my time.

So there you have, B&N has regulated Small Publishers, not to the back burner, but out of the running altogether thus showing their true colors. Fine. The big publishers saved your butt once, let them go down with the ship.