Deadline is October 12!
James Patterson, guest of honor at the fiftieth anniversary of Bouchercon in Dallas this October, is now accepting nominations for his annual holiday bonuses for booksellers program. A total of $250,000 dollars will be available in bonuses at $500 each for distribution in December.
Last year’s Texas winners included booksellers at BookPeople, BookWoman, and Malvern Books in Austin; Brazos Bookstore and Murder By the Book in Houston; Katy Budget Books; MyBookBox in Murphy; and the Book Nook in Brenham.
Have questions? We’ve got answers.
How do you nominate a bookstore employee?
- It’s simple to nominate a bookstore employee for a bonus. You just have to fill out a form with your name and the bookstore employee’s name and store and describe in 250 words or fewer why this bookseller deserves a holiday bonus. Go to this website to nominate a bookseller: bookweb.org/james-pattersons-holiday-bonuses-booksellers.
How will bonus recipients be chosen?
- The ABA will accept nominations and submit them to James Patterson for approval and fulfillment. He will personally review the nominations and select the bonus recipients.
When will bonus recipients be announced?
- Bonus recipients will be announced in December. A full list of bonus recipients will be posted at bookweb.org/james-pattersons-holiday-bonuses-booksellers.
What are the requirements to be considered for a bonus?
- All employees of ABA member bookstores are eligible for a bonus. Nominations can be made by anyone: store owners, managers, fellow booksellers, publishing professionals, authors, bookstore shoppers, even oneself. But they must always be nominating a current bookstore employee.
What is a good reason to nominate a bookstore employee for a bonus?
- It could be that this bookseller recommended one of your favorite books this year. Maybe they were responsible for an incredible book event or developed a new program at the store. They might stay late every evening to keep the store in top shape or consistently go above and beyond the call of duty. James Patterson wants to reward bookstore employees who are making a difference in their stores and their communities.
Can more than one employee from the same store receive a bonus?
- Yes! James Patterson will consider all nominations, including more than one bookstore employee from the same store.
After I submit the form on the website, what are the next steps?
- You will receive an email confirmation that your nomination has been submitted. James Patterson will review the nominations and the ABA will follow up individually with bookstore employees who will be receiving a bonus.
Is there a deadline to nominate a bookstore employee?
- The deadline to nominate a bookstore employee for a holiday bonus is October 12, 2019. The bonuses will be awarded in mid-December and announced on the website bookweb.org/james-pattersons-holiday-bonuses-booksellers.
Where is the money for these bonuses coming from?
- James Patterson is personally funding all the bonuses. He is devoting proceeds from the sales of JIMMY Patterson Books to funding pro-reading initiatives like the independent bookstore employee bonus program.
These are the rules:
Bookstore employees, publishing professionals, authors, or bookstore shoppers may submit bonus nominations on behalf of any current independent bookstore employee of an ABA member store. All past recipients of Patterson grants are eligible. Booksellers can self-nominate. Applications must be made online by completing and submitting the application form found at bookweb.org/james-pattersons-holiday-bonuses-booksellers. In all cases, the vetting process will include obtaining approval from the bookstore employee and store in question to confirm current employment. A total of $250,000 dollars will be available in bonuses at $500 each for distribution in December 2019. The bonuses will be announced through the website bookweb.org/james-pattersons-holiday-bonuses-booksellers.
Founded in 1900, the American Booksellers Association is a national not-for-profit trade organization that works to help independently owned bookstores grow and succeed. ABA’s core members are key participants in their communities' local economy and culture, and to assist them ABA provides education, information dissemination, business products, and services; creates relevant programs; and engages in public policy, industry, and local first advocacy. The Association actively supports and defends free speech and the First Amendment rights of all Americans. A volunteer board of 11 booksellers governs the Association. ABA is headquartered in White Plains, NY.
