This happens every year. The holidays creep up on me until I wake up on Black Friday in a tryptophan-laden haze and realize I’ve got less than a month to buy Christmas gifts for everyone on my list. Ho-Ho-Ho. 🎄😳
I can’t help you with your entire holiday list, but since I’m a writer, I thought I’d compile a list of some of the best gifts for writers out there this year. Journals are nice and always welcome (at least, in my “book,” teehee), but the gift ideas in this list will elicit those coveted oohs and aahs that we all love to hear 😃
Maybe there’s something for the writer in your life (even if that’s, uh, you 😉) Note: This post contains some affiliate links.
Best Gifts for Writers – 2018
1. The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron
The Artist’s Way has been around for more than twenty-five years and was written on the premise that we are all creative. Cameron provides simple tools to help already creative people become more so. This book has been life changing for many living the write life.
2. Audible Membership (subscription)
The popularity of audiobooks isn’t waning. I often listen to podcasts pertaining to writing, so why not books too?
A fun way to advertise what you do for a living (or at least for a cup of coffee …)
4. Aqua notes waterproof notepad
I can’t believe I didn’t create these myself. I’m serious! If I had a nickel for every story I’ve mentally written in the shower, I’d have millions of nickels. With these I now have a place to actually write down all those brilliant thoughts as they come to me 🙂
I’ve mentioned this one before. Anne’s rants about writing and life have made me laugh, cry, and have inspired me to keep writing. NYT Book Review calls it “hilarious, helpful and provocative.”
6. Cervical neck traction device
A writing pal of mine swears by this contraption. Corrects your posture and relieves that pain in your neck while writing the GAN (Great American Novel)!
As I write this, I’m finishing a big chocolate bar. Not kidding. Help those living the write life stay healthy by offering better sustenance for those long writing sessions.
8. LapDome – Portable sunshade and carrying case for laptop computer.
When I first saw a picture of this tent for a laptop, I cracked up. Then I realized it wasn’t a joke–but a super cool idea instead. Perfect for the writer who loves to write outside, but who doesn’t appreciate all that glare from the sun or worse–moisture from a sudden downpour.
Nothing worse than sitting in your favorite coffee shop and sensing that somebody is reading your prose, in draft form, over your shoulder. A privacy screen to the rescue! What a great gift for writers.
Funny story about these pens. I was shopping in Venice Beach with one of my daughter when I found these pens in a little shop and had to have them. I mean, what writer doesn’t want pens to inspire a positive work ethic with sayings like, “But first … a nap.”? Any…hoo, I bought a pack and then didn’t remember to take them out of their bag–for months. Procrastinate much? Hahaha …
I remember when my dad, a writer himself, had a typewriter like this–an old Smith-Corona that he actually used. To write stuff. They really worked, kids! (The keys, below, are coasters. How fun is that?)
11. Shakespeare Magnetic Poetry
Perfect way to brainstorm, stir up creativity, or leave a message for your family members on the fridge (and sound super poetic doing it).
Chicago Manual of Style is THE go-to manual for style, grammar, and word usage that many (most??) publishers use. I used to buy the print version every time it came out and it wasn’t cheap! The online version is great because it’s searchable (yes!).
13. Yoga pass to a place near the recipients home or place of work.
Stress happens … especially when trying to compose publishable text. Need convincing? Here’s an article I wrote about how Goat Yoga Can Make You a Better Writer.
Vellum is the #1 publishing tool that has rocked my world since I began using it to format both my paperback and eBooks. (You can read my review of Vellum software here.)
See? Buying for writers on your holiday gift list isn’t so hard. If you know someone living the write life, you’ll likely find something perfect for them here.
Happy Holidays (almost)!