Author James Patterson has a holiday bonus surprise for local independent booksellers
Prolific bestselling author James Patterson has crafted a page-turning holiday surprise for 600 workers at independent bookstores across the country.
Patterson has pledged a personal contribution of $300,000, to be distributed in amounts of $500, to 600 booksellers from American Booksellers Association member bookstores through his James Patterson Holiday Bookstore Bonus Program. In Massachusetts booksellers at 32 bookstores, including in Marlborough, Webster and Westborough, are benefiting from what has become an almost 10-year tradition annual on Patterson's behalf.
Tineke Brinks, who works at the Booklovers' Gourmet, 72 East Main St., Webster, is one of the recipients. "I was like blown away. I felt like, really, wow. That's a lot of money, for me," Brinks said of her reaction on learning she had received the bonus.
"It's a wonderful cause," she said of the program. Brinks has worked part time at Booklovers' Gourmet for three years. "Working with the customers is very rewarding, especially if you can help them find something. And if they go away happy, that's a good thing."
Patterson has written thrillers, mysteries, romances, biographies and enlisted famous co-authors such as Dolly Parton and former President Bill Clinton.
On Wednesday he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, "I’ve said this before, but I can’t say it enough — booksellers save lives. What they do is crucial, especially right now. I’m happy to be able to acknowledge them and their hard work this holiday season.”
Patterson has been called "the patron saint of booksellers everywhere." He has given millions of dollars to booksellers, librarians and teachers. In 2015 he began awarding employee bonuses. The amount has risen from $250,000 to 500 booksellers last year to $300,000 to 600 booksellers in 2023.
The program was coordinated through the American Booksellers Association, a national not-for-profit trade organization that it says "works with booksellers and industry partners to ensure the success and profitability of independently owned book retailers, and to assist in expanding the community of the book."
Bookstore workers were able to nominate themselves or be recommended by store owners, managers, peers, community members and others. Nominations could be made online by completing and submitting a nomination form, which asked the question: “In 250 words or less, why does this bookseller deserve a holiday bonus?”
Other area recipients include Alyson Cox of Word on the Street, 109 Main St., Marlborough, and Beth Orsini of Hygge House Books, 57 East Main St., Suite 139, Westborough.
"It was just a total surprise," said Cox, owner of Word on the Street. "I don't even know," she said of who nominated her. "Someone must have. We were surprised and very grateful."
The bookstore has had a rough couple of months with repair work construction work taking place on the street, so the holiday bonus "is most welcome. I can share a little bit of this with my two part-time employees," Cox said.
"It's an amazing thing that he (Patterson) does," said Orsini, owner of Hygge House Books. "It was nice that people in the community honored me." She also doesn't know who nominated her.
Orsini said she is a pretty new bookseller and acknowledged it can be difficult competing with big-box stores. However, there's also a renewed interest in buying local and "I focus on community events and people are responding to that," she said.
The bonus may go to help paying the bookstore's rent. "It's nice to have that," Orsini said. Also, "I'll probably buy more books."
Debra Horan, owner of Booklovers' Gourmet, said she nominated Brinks.
"She's very helpful and works well with the public and is always thinking of new ideas to do promotions of things," Horan said. "We do book reviews and staff picks, and she's always doing them for us. I know I wouldn't able to do everything I do here without her help here."
Previous recipients were able to be nominated again, and Horan had also nominated Brinks two years ago — and she received a holiday bonus then, making her now a two-time holiday bonus winner.
"Amazing, isn't it?" Brinks exclaimed.
She said she had no idea that Horan had nominated her again until she received an email informing her of the bonus.
"I am very happy and very honored," Brinks said.
Booklovers' Gourmet sells books and unique gifts and presents numerous activities, including visits from authors and book signings, and has a gallery hosting exhibitions by local artists.
"It's a wonderful environment. Debra is a wonderful employer," Brinks said. "The bookstore is very community-oriented so that means people find a place here."
Earlier this year, Brinks had her own art exhibition at Booklovers' Gourmet. "Self-Care Through (Imperfect) Creative Expression" was her first exhibition anywhere. The works on display used varied techniques, materials and tools to express her interests at various moments in her life. "That really helped me continue on the path I'm on," she said.
Horan said that Patterson's program is "his way of supporting independent bookstores because he knows how important they were when he was getting started."
“We all continue to be awed by, and grateful for, Mr. Patterson’s continuing support of independent booksellers,” Allison Hill, CEO of the American Booksellers Association, said in a statement. “It means so much to have him recognize the valuable role booksellers play in the industry, and we appreciate his financial generosity as well as his generosity of spirit.”
Patterson has reportedly co-authored a tribute book, “The Secret Lives of Booksellers and Librarians,” which Little, Brown and Co. will release in April.
The James Patterson Holiday Bookstore Bonus Program recipients are listed here.
This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: James Patterson pens bonuses for local independent booksellers
