James Patterson Doles Out a Half-Million To Emerging Writers to Finish Their Books

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James Patterson Distributes $500,000 to 12 Writers to Finish Their Books

Librarians might get tired of unboxing James Patterson titles, but you cannot say that man does not give back. His latest: $50,000 each for twelve “emerging writers” to get their books done. Patterson worked with bunch of literary organizations (PEN, Girls Write Now, The Iowa Writer’s Workshop, and others) to get hundreds of submissions that he himself reviewed. Awardees spanned genres, but no precise criteria for the grants are clear, nor is there a full list of authors who received them.

Well, Well, Well. Barnes & Noble’s Independent Bookstore Acquistions Continue

When Barnes & Noble bought Denver’ Tattered Cover last year, I wondered what the next phase would be. I had a hard time imagining it was worth it as a one-off; it made much more sense as a trial balloon. And it seems to have gone well enough for B&N to strike again: this time Bay Area bookseller, Books, Inc., which like Tattered Cover was, is in financial distress. This acquisition looks to be a bit larger in terms of footprint, Books Inc has 10 physical locations, including two in the San Francisco Airport. Barnes and Noble says that their plan is for Books Inc “to preserve its independent identity.” The acquisition is still subject to court approval. Very, very interesting.

I’m Ready to Zag on Emerald Funnell’s WUTHERING HEIGHTS

You don’t have to read many of the comments on the teaser for Emerald Funnell’s adaptation of Wuthering Heights to see what the conventional wisdom among book readers will be: “hey that doesn’t look like Wuthering Heights.” And, to be sure, the quivering, lip-biting, sweaty, and just downright horny trailer is not really indicative of the Bronte’s tone in the novel. But you know what? There have been literally more than a dozen TV and film adaptations, of varying levels of quality, put into the world already. Let’s get weird. And while I don’t think I will be seated for its Valentine’s Day weekend opening in 2026, I will fully enjoy watching the literary pearl-clutching.

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