James Patterson Opens Holiday Bookstore Bonus Program for 2019

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Today, James Patterson announced his 2019 pledge to independent bookstore employees: a personal contribution of $250,000 as part of his Holiday Bookstore Bonus Program.

Patterson mousePatterson is partnering for the sixth year in a row with the American Booksellers Association to distribute the funds, which will be granted in amounts of $500 to 500 individual booksellers. New this year, a specific number of the bonuses will be set aside for children's booksellers. This year’s campaign will be open to all U.S. independent bookstore employees through October 12.

“For five years, James Patterson has demonstrated again and again just how strong his support is for the independent booksellers who introduce readers of all ages to the authors and titles that are most likely to spark and deepen their joy of reading,” said ABA CEO Oren Teicher. "Nobody puts their money behind their words more than he does, and this extra financial support for more booksellers than ever — including more children's booksellers — will be much appreciated by all the hardworking booksellers who are recipients of his generous holiday bonus program. We can't thank him enough.”
 
Bookstore employees, publishing professionals, authors, and bookstore shoppers can all submit bonus nominations on behalf of any current indie bookstore employer of an ABA member store. In all cases, the vetting process will include obtaining approval from the bookstore employee and store in question to confirm current employment.
 
All past recipients of Patterson grants are eligible, and booksellers can self-nominate. Bonuses will be distributed in December 2019.
 

The grant application asks one simple question: “Why does this bookseller deserve a holiday bonus?” Patterson will select winners from bookstores all across the country to receive bonuses this holiday season.

In 2018, Patterson gave $250,000 to bookstore employees and in 2017, he donated a record $350,000. In 2016, he gave out $250,000 to 149 independent bookstore employees across the country; and in 2015, $250,000 to 87 bookseller recipients. In 2014, Patterson 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.

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