Deadline for Holiday Bookstore Bonus Nominations Extended to October 12

The deadline for submitting bookseller nominations to author James Patterson’s Holiday Bookstore Bonus Program has been extended to Friday, October 12, which means there are now two extra weeks to nominate an independent bookstore employee to score some extra cash this holiday season.

Patterson, who is contributing $250,000 to the program this year, is partnering with the American Booksellers Association for the fifth year to distribute the bonuses, to be granted in amounts of $750 to $1,500 to individual booksellers.

The grant application, which is open to anyone who would like to submit a bookseller’s name, asks one question: “Why does this bookseller deserve a holiday bonus?” After reviewing the answers, Patterson will select the winners from bookstores across the country. All past recipients of Patterson bonuses are eligible for this year’s bonuses, and booksellers can self-nominate.

In 2017, Patterson donated a record $350,000 to bookstore employees; in 2016, $250,000 to 149 independent bookstore employees across the country; and in 2015, $250,000 to 87 recipients. In 2014, he awarded $1 million in grants to 178 independent bookstores. Over the past decade, Patterson has also given away more than a million books to students all over the United States and visited hundreds of schools to advocate for youth literacy.