James Patterson gives holiday bonuses to bookstore employees
NEW YORK -- Bookstore employees from Los Angeles to Austin, Texas, will have some extra holiday spending money thanks to best-selling author James Patterson.
Patterson announced his latest wave of philanthropy on Thursday -- bonuses of $1,000 to $5,000 for 149 workers at independent stores. Drawing on recommendations from authors, fellow staffers and others, Patterson is giving out $250,000, adding to the millions he’s donated in recent years to libraries, stores and literacy programs.
Patterson says in a statement released through Hachette Books that the enthusiasm and knowledge of bookstore workers is “intrinsic” to nurturing enthusiastic readers.
Among the recipients are Amelia Cone of Book Soup in Los Angeles and Raul Chapa of BookPeople in Austin.
