Author Patterson donating money to bookstores

NEW YORK (AP) – Best-selling author James Patterson is giving away US$1 million of his own money to independent bookstores.
Today, Patterson announced the first round of 55 stores to receive over $267 000 in funds. The remaining $750 000 will be given out in stages throughout the year.
Patterson’s publisher, Hachette Book Group, released a statement saying the author feels that bookstores are vital to communities and that they leave a lasting love of reading in children and adults.
The bookstores can do whatever they want with the grants, which range from $2 000 to $15 000.
Patterson’s books have sold more than 300 million copies worldwide, making him among the world’s most prolific and popular writers.