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December 5, 2013

The Ultimate Gift Guide for Writers

Snowman holding gift with text: The Ultimate Gift Guide for Writers

Did everyone survive the big shopping days of Black Friday and/or Cyber Monday? Me? I’m a lazy bum and did most of my shopping online. No crowds for me.

Obviously, I’m not a shopaholic, so I usually need help knowing what gifts to buy for people. That means it’s time to start thinking about what we might want for writerly gifts this year. *smile*

With that in mind, I updated this list of gift ideas for writers.  If you’re a writer, this might help you give suggestions to family or friends.  Or you can direct your family to this post for ideas.  Something on this list is bound to please every writer out there.

Stocking Stuffers

For Writers Who Outline

  • Note (index) cards
  • Notebooks (many writers prefer plain spiral or steno pads over fancy, leather-bound books—those are too pretty to use *smile*)
  • Ugly writing journal (so we’re not tempted to “save” it) (suggested by Daniel Swensen)
  • Corkboard
  • Pushpins
  • Whiteboard
  • Dry erase markers and eraser

Technology Helpers

Big Ticket Items

  • New computer/laptop
  • Bigger/second computer monitor
  • Printer
  • eReader or eTablet (Kindle/Kindle Fire, iPad, Android tablet, etc.)
  • Ergonomic desk chair
  • Website/blog hosting, upgrades, or design (my recommendation) (*psst* use code JAMIGOLD to get 10% off everything they do)
  • Registration fee for writing conference or workshop
  • Membership fee for a writing group (like RWA—which is open worldwide and for more than just romance writers)
  • Cover design or editing costs for self-published authors

Writing Craft and Publishing-Related Books & Tools

Writing and Publishing-Related Workshops

Miscellaneous Suggestions

  • Gift basket full of writing-related ideas (pens, notebooks, special beverage and glass, inspirational items or quotes, etc.) (suggested by Theresa Miller)
  • Gift cards for books (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc.)
  • Gift cards for office supply stores
  • Fun reader/writer-type gifts (“Careful, or you’ll end up in my novel” mug, “gifts for writers,” The Literary Gift Company, etc.)
  • Canisters of favorite coffee or hot chocolate (suggested by Angela Quarles)
  • Tea or other writing beverage (suggested by Daniel Swensen)
  • Totem for a muse (figurine, stuffed animal, etc.) (suggested by Lisa Hall-Wilson)
  • Magnetic poetry kit (now available in tons of specialized themes—from Shakespeare or passion to cat or bacon lover)
  • Literary action figures
  • High-quality printer paper for queries/submissions (suggested by Christy Farmer)
  • Printer ink (suggested by Shain Brown)
  • Subscription to music source (Pandora, Spotify, Grooveshark, etc.)
  • Premium level of online service (Dropbox for automatic backups, Amazon Prime for free shipping/lending library, etc.)
  • Entry fee for a writing contest
  • Massage gift certificates (suggested by Julie Glover)
  • Back or foot massager (suggested by Gene Lempp)
  • Comfort clothes (robe and fuzzy slippers) (suggested by Brooklyn Ann)
  • Writing time (anything from babysitting to a writers’ retreat)
  • Housecleaning services (especially during deadlines) (suggested by April Bradley)

What did I miss? What other writing craft or publishing-related books do you recommend? Do you have suggestions for other items to add to the list? Which things would you most like to receive? Is there anything on the list you wouldn’t want? Did you brave the store crowds this year?

(Note: Some links on my blog are referral or affiliate links.)

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Cynthia Luhrs

Great list! I’m getting the shower notes and 7 day crash revision workshop for myself now…plenty of other items for my xmas list!

Valerie
Valerie

I already had the Positive / Negative Trait Thesauri on my wish list! Just added the Story Cubes. 🙂

Jami's Tech Guy (Jay)

Thanks Jami for the mention on Web Hosting! Just for your blog visitors, we have a special coupon code for 10% off everything we do -> JAMIGOLD

Off to go shopping for my authors. I have a lead on Hermione’s time turner…

-Jay
@jaytechdad

Mart Ramirez

Omg a waterproof notepad!!! Must get! Great list, Jami! Thank you!

Theresa Miller
Theresa Miller

The favorite gift I ever received was from my daughter and son-in law. They made up a basket with:
*Lots of little rolled up pieces of paper with inspirational writing quotes on them
*A package of multicolored pens
*A spiral bound notebook
* A wine glass with The Rules Of Writing on it
*A bottle of my favorite wine

Priscilla Verdia
Priscilla Verdia

Good job, Jami. There are a bunch of valuable links here not to mention oodles of goodies I’d love to have. I shared this on My pinterest board–My book thing.

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[…] Christmas is coming! For procrastinators, check out these gift ideas: 5 holiday gift ideas for the grammar guru, Christmas gifts for writers for every part of the writing process, and this ultimate gift guide for writers. […]

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