James Patterson PageTurner Awards Accepting Nominations Now

For the third year, author James Patterson is granting substantial cash awards to those who promote the joy of books and reading through the PageTurner Awards. The awards, this year totaling $250,000, will be presented to organizations and individuals whose initiatives creatively champion books and reading.

Anyone who wishes to be considered for a PageTurner Award, or to nominate a deserving person or group, can fill out a short online form. The deadline for nominations of others is December 9, 2007; the deadline for applications for oneself or one's organization is December 16, 2007. Winners will be announced on or around March 15, 2008.

In the U.S., prizes include 11 Individual Awards: one award in the amount of $25,000; five awards of $5,000 each; and five awards of $2,500 each. Organization Awards, to be presented to companies, schools, or any other non-individual organizations, include one award in the amount of $50,000; two awards of $25,000 each; five awards of $5,000 each; and 15 awards of $2,500 each.

Three Canadian awards will be granted: one award in the amount of $20,000 and two awards of $2,500 each.

Last year's PageTurner Award winners included the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance and six independent booksellers -- Mary Yockey of Anderson's Bookshop in Naperville, Illinois; Emma Rodgers of Black Images Book Bazaar in Dallas; Elaine Petrocelli of Book Passage in Corte Madera, California; The Poisoned Pen in Phoenix, Arizona; Paul Ingram of Prairie Lights in Iowa City; and R.J. Julia Bookshop in Madison, Connecticut. --Nomi Schwartz