James Patterson is spreading holiday cheer with £300k in bonuses for bookstore workers, proof that the people behind the stories matter most.
When you think of bestselling authors, you might picture glitzy book signings, stacks of royalty checks, or big-name deals. But this Christmas? James Patterson showed that he’s not just about page-turners, he’s about people. Last year, the thriller writer gifted a whopping $300,000 in holiday bonuses to 600 independent bookstore employees across America. How amazing is that?
Why He Did It: Because Booksellers Matter
Patterson didn’t just do this as a PR stunt. He genuinely believes that booksellers play a vital role in our world. In his own words: “Booksellers save lives. Period.”
That’s a bold, emotional claim, but hear him out. For him, just like for many of us, bookstores are more than just stores. They’re community hubs, places of refuge, and gateways to imagination. By giving these bonuses, he’s saying thank you and backing up his gratitude with real money.
So, Who Got the Bonus?
The $300,000 was split across 600 people, but who were they, and how were they chosen?
Well, the lucky winners weren’t working for the big chains. They were staff members at all sorts of independent bookstores. Shops like Thank You Books in Birmingham, Alabama, The Nook in Cedar Falls, Iowa, and City Lights Books in San Francisco.
James Patterson worked with the American Booksellers Association (ABA) to choose the winners. People were able to apply, but they were also able to be nominated by their friends, coworkers, customers, and even authors.
Years of Giving
This is far from the first time that James Patterson’s done something like this. He may be an author by trade, but he’s also big on charity. He’s been running a holiday bookstore bonus program since 2015, and, on top of that, over the last couple of decades, he’s donated more than $1.5 million of his own money to stores.
His money, especially during rough times like the COVID-19 pandemic, helped maintain struggling bookstores. In fact, in the early days of the virus, he donated $500,000 specifically for that purpose!
Reactions from the Bookish World
As you’d expect, people are pretty touched. Allison Hill, CEO of the ABA, said she and her team “are all so grateful,” not just for the money, but for Patterson’s “generosity of spirit.”
For workers in small, independent shops, recognition from a bestselling author is more than practical: it’s validating. It tells them that their work matters, that they’re seen, and that someone out there cares deeply about what they do.
Sure, $500 may not sound like a fortune in the grand scheme of Patterson’s wealth, but for many bookstore workers, that bonus can make a real difference, especially over the holidays. And let’s be honest: getting $500 as a surprise nod in a tough, often low-margin retail job? That’s huge.
There are some lovely, concrete examples of who benefited. In Sonoma and Napa counties, for instance, Copperfield’s Books, Napa Bookmine, and Four-Eyed Frog Books each had a staff member receive the bonus.
Four-Eyed Frog saw their manager, Blew, win the prize. In response, she said she was “truly honored,” and went on to say, “I think it’s a wonderful thing that James Patterson does every year; he certainly supports the independent booksellers, and we appreciate his efforts.” When asked what she’ll be using her bonus for, she said it’d be put to good use to pay off bills.
These bonuses don’t just help pay a bill or two; they foster a sense of belonging and appreciation. For many booksellers, working at an independent store isn’t just a job; it’s a calling.
Why This Really Matters
Obviously, it’s great to know people are still out there doing nice things for others, but why does this story really matter?
Well, there are a number of things.
First of all, it shows that people do care. That moral support isn’t gone, and kindness is out there… we just have to look for it. James Patterson isn’t just giving out money because he thinks he should; he’s doing it because he knows it’ll help people, and because these people work hard and help others. If that’s not the spirit of Christmas, I don’t know what is!
For those on the ground, who won the prizes, $500 is loads. Especially at the end of the year, when bills are up, presents are coming, and for booksellers, the festive rush is on their doorstep. That $500 can be the difference between making it through the season and having to take out a loan. This is especially true in independent stores where the income is perhaps not as reliable as the larger chains!
But perhaps most of all, Patterson’s donations matter because they’re part of a longtime tradition of generosity. This isn’t a fleeting gesture or a moment of impulse. James Patterson has spent years donating money to bookstores and booksellers. This commitment shows how much these stores and workers matter to him, but to everyone else, too.
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Millie Ramm
Millie has been writing since she was a child, and has spent more time with her nose in books than anywhere else. She has been ghostwriting novels and editing for the past few years, and when not working she is curled up with her cats, looking for her next read.
