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| (photo: Stephanie Diani) | |
This holiday season, James Patterson will once again be supporting independent booksellers through his Holiday Bookstore Bonus Program. The bestselling author has pledged a personal contribution of $250,000 to be distributed to 500 booksellers in $500 increments.
"We are all so grateful for Mr. Patterson's ongoing support of independent booksellers," said American Booksellers Association CEO Allison Hill. "His generosity is incredible, and his recognition of booksellers and the valuable role they play in the industry is especially meaningful to us."
Booksellers can be nominated through a simple, online form that asks the question: "In 250 words or less, why does this bookseller deserve a holiday bonus?" Nominees must be employed by an ABA member bookstore and the deadline for nominations is November 15. Booksellers can self-nominate, or be nominated by fellow booksellers, publishing professionals, authors or even customers. The names of those submitting nominations won't be made public or be revealed to the nominees.
Booksellers who have received James Patterson bonuses or grants in the past are eligible for this bonus. In the coming weeks, the ABA will provide social media assets for stores to use to encourage customers to nominate booksellers.
Bonus recipients will be announced in Bookselling This Week and on bookweb.org, and bonuses will be distributed in December.