For the second year in a row, James Patterson will give "holiday bonuses" ranging from $1,000 to $5,000 (for a total of $250,000) to independent booksellers, Bookselling This Week reported. He is partnering with the American Booksellers Association for the Holiday Bonus Program.
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| James Patterson outside Oblong Books, Millerton, N.Y. | |
"Booksellers can change lives simply by recommending the right book, and these bonuses are my humble acknowledgement of the important work they do," Patterson said. "I saw firsthand what these bonuses did to help bookstores and their employees last year, and I hope they make even more of a difference this holiday season."
Oren Teicher, CEO of the ABA, said, "We are once again extremely grateful to James Patterson for his ongoing commitment to literacy and to independent booksellers nationwide, who throughout the year are promoting the essential value of reading and books by working to connect authors and readers of all ages. The return of James Patterson's Holiday Bonus Program for a second year is a wonderful way to acknowledge those booksellers, who are dedicated to improving people's lives through the power of reading. On behalf of all ABA members, we extend our sincere thanks to James Patterson for his unwavering support."
Anyone, from bookstore customers to booksellers to industry professionals, can nominate a bookstore employee. The nomination form, which is open through November 1, consists of one question: "Why does this bookseller deserve a holiday bonus?" Patterson will select the bookstore employees to receive bonuses, and the full list of winners will be announced in December. The 87 booksellers who received bonuses from Patterson in 2015 are not eligible to receive a bonus this year.