Author James Patterson sends $500 bonus to Springfield's Bookmarx in time for holidays

Greta Cross, Springfield News-Leader
·3 min read
Josh Arnett, owner of Bookmarx bookstore in downtown Springfield, and store cat Googey on Thursday, April 27, 2023.
Josh Arnett, owner of Bookmarx bookstore in downtown Springfield, and store cat Googey on Thursday, April 27, 2023.

For a certain Springfield feline, 2023 was one for the books.

"Googey's had a huge year," Josh Arnett told the News-Leader with a laugh on Monday.

For those unfamiliar, Googey is the orange tabby that can frequently be spotted lounging in the front window of Bookmarx, the downtown bookstore. Earlier this year, Googey was voted by the community to become the eighth Captain Springfield. This month, the whiskered ambassador served as grand marshal of Springfield's downtown Christmas parade.

Last week, Googey and Arnett, the bookstore's owner, celebrated another win: Being selected as one of 600 bookstores in the country to benefit from the James Patterson Holiday Bookstore Bonus Program. As a 2023 recipient, Arnett received $500 from Patterson, an American author known for writing novels like "Along Came a Spider" and series like "Alex Cross."

Speaking on the phone Monday, Arnett said he will likely use some of the money to help purchase Christmas gifts. He's also been thinking about upgrades needed around the store, but he hasn't made a definite decision on how to allocate the money.

Bookmarx bookstore in downtown Springfield on Thursday, April 27, 2023.
Bookmarx bookstore in downtown Springfield on Thursday, April 27, 2023.

The annual Holiday Bookstore Bonus Program is held in conjunction with the American Booksellers Association, a nonprofit that promotes independent bookstores in the United States.

Booksellers could either nominate themselves to be considered for the bonus, or they could have been nominated by members of their community, like customers, fellow booksellers or authors. Nominations were accepted on the American Booksellers Association website through Nov. 15. Arnett said he is unsure of who nominated the bookstore.

“We are all so grateful for Mr. Patterson’s ongoing support of independent booksellers," American Booksellers Association CEO Allison Hill said in a news release. "His generosity is incredible, and his recognition of booksellers and the valuable role they play in the industry is especially meaningful to us.”

In total, Patterson pledged $300,000 for this year's Holiday Bookstore Bonus Program.

James Patterson has authored around 200 books, some on his own and others with co-authors including Mike Lupica, Dolly Parton and former President Bill Clinton. He says the key to co-writing is to drop egos at the door.
James Patterson has authored around 200 books, some on his own and others with co-authors including Mike Lupica, Dolly Parton and former President Bill Clinton. He says the key to co-writing is to drop egos at the door.

"I’ve said this before, but I can’t say it enough — booksellers save lives," Patterson shared on X, formerly Twitter, on Dec. 13. "What they do is crucial, especially right now. I’m happy to be able to acknowledge them and their hard work this holiday season."

More: Springfield author's book with James Patterson hits No. 2 on New York Times Best Seller list

Eight other bookstores in Missouri were selected by the program, including Betty's Books in Webster Grove, Left Bank Books in St. Louis, Neighborhood Reads in Washington, Redux Society in Kansas City, River Reader Books in Lexington, Skylark Bookshop in Columbia, The Book House in St. Louis and The Novel Neighbor in Webster Groves.

While Bookmarx has not been selected for the James Patterson Holiday Bookstore Bonus Program in the past, Arnett said the bookstore did receive a $750 COVID grant from Patterson in April 2020.

Looking to the new year, another milestone

When it comes to reflecting on the past year, Arnett said he has been grateful for the consistent support that has continued since the pandemic.

In May 2024, Bookmarx will celebrate its 10th anniversary. Arnett said he is working on a full calendar of events for the new year and plans on hosting a big sale for an anniversary celebration.

Greta Cross is the trending topics reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretacrossphoto. Story idea? Email her at gcross@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Bookmarx receives $500 holiday bonus from author James Patterson