Hellooooo Readers!

Have you heard the news? James Patterson has launched a new imprint through Little, Brown and Company. So maybe you have a few questions.  Like: Who is James Patterson? Why should I care? and what is the name of this imprint and what can I expect?

Well, you're demanding, Readers, but I shall answer your questions. Because that is what I'm here for, in case you've been wondering. And it leads us into a subject dear to my heart, which is INDIE BOOKSTORES!


First of all: James Patterson:

This prolific, prolific author has been spinning tales for kids and adults for centuries now. I mean, decades. Decades, that is, not centuries. It's just, the man publishes so much he has hired a team of ghost writers to bring his ideas to life. James Patterson, as the New York Times says, has "enough output to rival most publishing companies." So, it makes sense that his next step would be to create his own imprint. If you haven't read James Patterson, he writes YA  but got his start writing mysteries for adults. His most popular series for adults are the Alex Cross books. His most popular YA books are the Maximum Ride series books.

I'm going to be 100% honest: James Patterson is far from my favorite author, writing-wise. However, the man will always hold a place in my heart for all his work promoting indie bookstores (as well as his scholarship fund for college students--he seems like a great guy, right? I think so). Mr. Patterson has pledged $1 million dollars to help out independent bookstores and continues to hand out grants.

He participates heavily in the Independent Bookstore Day move to get people into indie bookstores. This helps those bookstores that I LOVE WITH ALL MY HEART, like Addendum Bookstore--one I'll be showcasing this week.

Now why should you care?

In terms of the imprint, this is just another place to get good YA books. But also, James Patterson will be donating the money from this imprint to his literacy projects. Whaa?? So, this guy is ALL RIGHT. He is a force for good, trying to get more books in the hands of more readers, especially kid readers. So supporting this imprint goes to supporting indie bookstores, libraries, literacy programs, and more. And that's pretty darn cool. 

And just keep in mind: Supporting independent bookstores means supporting diversity. Big chain stores and online retail stores are looking for the bottom line only. Independent bookstores are looking for quality, looking to put books that match the reader in the reader's hands. They are able to buy things in smaller quantities, giving things a chance that might otherwise not have had it. Independent bookstores matter. So, this imprint, well . . . it matters, too.

What is the name of the imprint and what can you expect?

Well, the name is the unfortunate title of Jimmy Patterson. But who am I to complain when it will hopefully do so much good? Mr. Patterson says (article here), "“Our mission is simple: that every kid who finishes a jimmy patterson book will say, ‘Please give me another book.’ What could be better than that? Mom, Dad, Grandma, local school board, U.S. Department of Education, ‘Please give me another book.’ ” The imprint will initially focus on YA and MG books, but may move into picture books at some time.

Sounds good to me. What about you?

So there you have it--the skinny on the new imprint and the indie bookstore support of James Patterson. Stick around this week as I interview the owners of Addendum and get some book recommendations from them!

And as always: Read on, Readers!