Renowned author James Patterson is once again championing independent bookstores and their hardworking staff this holiday season. The 77-year-old thriller novelist is donating $300,000 to 600 bookstore employees across the United States as part of his annual holiday bookstore bonus program. Each selected staffer will receive a $500 bonus, providing recognition and support during the festive season.
Participating bookstores range from Thank You Books in Alabama to City Lights in San Francisco, highlighting Patterson’s commitment to local bookshops nationwide. Staff members were chosen through applications or nominations, ensuring their contributions to the book community are celebrated.
“Booksellers save lives. Period,” Patterson said, expressing his appreciation for the vital role bookstores play in fostering literature and community. His efforts have been praised by the American Booksellers Association, whose CEO, Allison Hill, described his generosity as “awe-inspiring.”
This isn’t Patterson’s first act of literary goodwill. Over the past decade, he has contributed millions to support independent bookstores, including a $500,000 donation during the COVID-19 pandemic and $1 million in 2014 to promote bookstore initiatives.
For Patterson, the survival of bookstores is a cultural necessity. “Books make us kinder, more empathetic human beings,” he said. His ongoing support continues to underscore the importance of literature and the individuals who bring it to life.