Acclaimed Author Gives Amazing Holiday Surprise to Bookstore Workers

James Patterson has become one of the most ubiquitous authors on earth over the past three decades with his novels constantly filling out shelves in bookstores and newsstands across the country. When it comes to the booksellers that help get his works into readers' hands, Patterson holds them in high regard. 

Every holiday season since 2015, the New York Times bestselling author awards independent bookstore employees with special holiday bonuses as tokens of his appreciation. This year, 600 booksellers from Birmingham to San Francisco will be receiving $500 gifts from Patterson for the hard work that they do. 

"Booksellers save lives. Period," Patterson said in a statement Dec. 10, per The Associated Press. "I’m happy to be able to acknowledge them and all their hard work this holiday season."

Related: James Patterson Is Destroying Books to Save Publishing

It will certainly come as a welcome gift to many employees looking to celebrate with a little extra cheer this season. American Booksellers Association CEO Allison Hill praised Patterson's move in supporting these workers. 

"We appreciate Mr. Patterson’s financial generosity as well as his generosity of spirit. We all continue to be awed by, and grateful for, Mr. Patterson’s continuing support of independent booksellers," Hill said in a statement. "It means everything to have him recognize and reward the valuable role booksellers play in the industry."

Patterson has 11 books slated for release in 2025. Holmes Is Missing, the second installment in his newly established Holmes, Margaret, & Poe series, is out Jan. 6, 2025.