Last Call for Nominations to James Patterson’s Holiday Bookstore Bonus Program

Friday, October 12, is the last day to submit bookseller nominations for author James Patterson’s Holiday Bookstore Bonus Program, which grants independent bookstore employees a bit of extra money for the holiday season.

Patterson, who is contributing $250,000 to the program this year, is partnering with the American Booksellers Association for the fifth time to distribute the bonuses, to be given in amounts of $750 to $1,500 to individual booksellers. Anyone can nominate a bookseller by answering the grant application’s 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 grants 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.