Author James Patterson is donating $500,000 to help independent bookstores who have found themselves in dire financial straits because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Patterson announced the donation on Twitter on Thursday, writing that he’s partnering with actress and book club maven Reese Witherspoon to provide financial assistance to indie booksellers.

“Books Are Essential!” he tweeted. “Today I join @ReeseW and @ReesesBookClub in support of our indie book stores. I am donating $500,000, and I urge readers, publishers, and authors everywhere to give what they can and #SaveIndieBookstores!”

His tweet linked to a website called Save Indie Bookstores, which is soliciting donations for a fund that will provide financial relief to independent book retailers. The project is being supported by Patterson, Witherspoon, the Book Industry Charitable Foundation (Binc), and the American Booksellers Association (ABA).

“The future is bright for ABA’s 1,800 + members, but the coronavirus outbreak is a set-back that will put many of your favorite independent bookstores in danger of closing permanently,” the website reads. “Right now, is the time to show indies how much they mean to you by giving to #SaveIndieBookstores.”

Patterson has long been a supporter of indie bookstores. Every year since 2015, he’s given holiday bonuses to some employees of the retailers.

He told the Los Angeles Times that helping independent bookstores weather the coronavirus storm should be a priority for the book world.

“It’s just so important culturally that we’re paying attention to the written word, that people are communicating with the written word,” he said.

Michael Schaub is a Texas-based journalist and regular contributor to NPR.