I don't get it . . .

A few weeks ago a Henschel Haus Publishing author friend posted her picture on facebook in the local Barnes & Noble selling books.  I had heard rumors that the local B & N occasionally hosted local authors but never actually knew an author with the opportunity.

I emailed my friend to ask how she got her books into a brick and mortar store (also known as the Holy Grail).  She gave me the name of the B & N contact – every 3-4 months the store hosts local authors.

Here’s the deal.  B & N buys books from their distributor and displays them 1 month before the event.  B & N hosts a 2 hour signing event with up to 3 authors.  If the books sell, B & N will keep them in the store for another month.
So, I wondered – what does the author get out of the deal?  Nothing.  The author doesn’t receive a fee for the signing event.   B & N gets the money for selling the books. 

When asked how many of her books were on display she said – 8.  When asked how many books B & N purchased – she didn’t know.
I was puzzled.  I asked her what benefit she received.  Her first response was a chance to meet a reader and sign her book.  She said she also had “exposure” as a local author.
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I’m sorry, but I don’t get it.  Everybody makes money but the author.  My view is that Barnes & Noble is taking advantage of local authors desperate for recognition and the glory of capturing the author’s Holy Grail.
Personally, I’m not going to let Barnes & Noble use me.