James Patterson has given 600 booksellers $500 holiday bonuses just in time for the holiday season. The bestselling author has been awarding independent bookstores across the country since 2015. This year,

NEW YORK — A staffer at a Colorado nonprofit bookstore was among 600 booksellers nationwide who received $500 holiday bonuses from James Patterson, the bestselling novelist who has been awarding independent store employees since 2015.

Hundreds of independent bookstore workers across the country—including one in Chicago—were the recipients of a big holiday surprise Wednesday. Since 2015, bestselling author James Patterson has given out holiday bonuses to independent bookstore workers across the country.

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.

Bestselling author James Patterson gave $500 holiday bonuses to hundreds of booksellers across the country, and two from the Pittsburgh area made the list.

Recipients also include Kirstin Kraig of Whale’s Tale Books in Lakewood, Colorado. Patterson chose the winners from thousands of applications.

Staffers at five Mississippi bookstores are among 600 booksellers receiving $500 holiday bonuses from James Patterson, the bestselling novelist who has been awarding independent store employees since 2015.