'We match people to books': Two Cape booksellers honored with James Patterson awards

Two independent bookstore employees on Cape Cod are receiving $500 each this year as part of national bestselling author James Patterson’s Holiday Bookstore Bonus Program

Michelle Koch of the Brewster Book Store and Richard Carey of East End Books in Provincetown have each received a bonus check, announced by way of an email from the American Booksellers Association.

In effect since 2015, Patterson’s program awards bonuses to 600 indie bookstore employees who show initiative across the country each year.

Recipients join indie winners nationwide

Neither Cape bookseller was sure who had nominated them. Employees can self-nominate, or be recommended by their colleagues, store owners or managers, or by customers and community members. When Koch asked that question, store owners Jessica MacKenzie Devin and Sue O’Malley “just smiled.” Carey noted that East End Books’ owner Jeff Peters was equally unforthcoming with names of nominators.

In keeping with the times we live in, Carey at first thought the email announcement might be “a scam” (“I was looking for those telltale typos,” he noted), while Koch initially figured it as “a joke” by fellow employees, and both sought outside confirmation that the announcement was real.

Of her bookseller recognition, Koch said, “It’s really very humbling,” while adding that working at the bookstore is “totally a team effort.” She’s worked at the Brewster store for two years and prior to that was employed for 20 years in the Nauset school system. Some of her bonus, she said, may go to help fund future “community-driven workshops” at the store. She may also donate to a favorite charity, and put aside some for future travel.

Responding to the surprise award, Carey said, “I was genuinely pleased and very excited." Carey, who enjoys writing poetry, joined the East End Books staff a year ago, after moving from Nantucket, thinking that a bookstore would be a good place to meet other writers interested in poetry. He’s participated in several writing workshops at Provincetown’s Fine Arts Work Center, where East End Books has a summer sales presence.

Indie bookstores offer unique community benefits

Both bookstores have been central in their individual towns for reaching out to their communities with author readings and events. Koch said she believes that Cape Cod’s independent booksellers exist in healthy numbers because they offer opportunities for community engagement and participation not available in bigger, more anonymous locations. “We match people to books,” she said.

Both stores are looking to the future: East End Books recently opened a second store near the Boston Seaport. “It kind of bridges Provincetown and Boston,” Carey said.

According to Koch, Brewster Book Store will be opening a new side room “for meetings of the store’s fiction book club and for larger events with authors.” Also in the budget will be the addition of a handicap-accessible ramp to the store’s front door.

Among other Cape Cod indie stores whose employees have been honored in the bonus program are Titcomb’s (East Sandwich), Where the Sidewalk Ends (Chatham), Eight Cousins (Falmouth) and Edgartown Books.

James Patterson a longtime supporter of independent literary causes

Best-selling author Patterson’s longstanding support of literary causes includes independent bookselling, children’s education, libraries, book clubs and writers’ workshops. His contributions to these causes broke the $100 million mark in 2022.

Patterson has sold more than 400 million copies of his books over his own career, many of the best-known featuring his fictional detective Alex Cross. He’s donated more than 2 million books to students and members of the military. The multi-award winner is the first author to have number one titles simultaneously on both the New York Times adult and children’s bestseller lists.

Five of Patterson’s 10 Emmy Awards came in 2018 for his co-production with South Florida PBS of the series “Kid Stew,” aimed at elementary school students.

Of his recognition of independent bookstores, Patterson said, “Our bookstores in America are at stake. ...To some extent the future of American literature is at stake.” He’s co-authoring a tribute book, “The Secret Lives of Booksellers and Librarians,” to be published in April.

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This article originally appeared on Cape Cod Times: Employees at Brewster Book Store, East End Books earn Patterson award