While many people think of writers as trying to create a best seller, authors are only a small portion of professional writers. E-newsletters, social media posts, ads, testimonials, and blogs are all created by writers. And it’s not all book signings and royaltees. There are deadlines to meet, edits, and bouts of writer’s block.
To show the writer in your life how much they mean to you, choose one of these fun, innovative, and useful gifts for writers. You will be glad you did. These gifts are sure to put you at the top of their bestseller list.
1. Literary Tour
Great gifts for writers
Send them to Savannah for a tour through the book, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil. They can go on a pub crawl in NYC where they can drink in places frequented by J.D. Salinger and Dorothy Parker. Or maybe they want to revisit Atlanta from Gone With the Wind.
Sometimes writers need a change of scenery. Send them on a getaway in the mountains, by the beach, or in a big city, for inspiration.
Make sure to get them a travel electronics bag to organize their equipment. You don’t want their computer going out while they are sitting at that sidewalk cafe, people watching like Hemmingway.
2. A Master Class with a Writer
Gifts for aspiring writers
Imagine if they could learn writing for young audiences from R.L.Stine, or fiction writing from Amy Tan? They can, online, with a Masterclass. With a subscription to Masterclass, they can take as many writing classes as they want, whenever they want, for as long as they have a subscription. What if they also want to learn about filmmaking or how to play guitar? They can take those classes too. There are so many to choose from.
If you just want to buy one writing class without a subscription, there are many courses for writers such as freelance writing, creative writing, or writing for business.
Virtually everything in business requires writing, from marketing campaigns to e-newsletters. Start them on a career in the business field with one or more of these copywriting books.
3. Smart Notebook
Tech gifts for writers
Instead of wasting paper and buying an endless supply of notebooks, a smart notebook can be used again and again. Writers can upload their notes to a cloud service such as Dropbox or Google Drive for safe keeping. Then they can wipe the notebook clean with a damp cloth to use again.
A Smart pen can be used with tablets and smartphones along with an app. Handwritten notes or stories can be turned into text. Voice recording can also be added into the notes.
Many writers use their cellphones to take photos for stories. Get them a new phone with a great camera.
4. Inspirational Quotes Pen
Unique gifts for writers
Every writer needs pens. Wouldn’t it be inspirational for them to use a pen with a quote by Albert Einstein or Ernest Hemmingway?
All writers will also need something to keep their pens in. This vintage typewriter pen and pencil holder reminds me of my grandfather typing articles for the editorial page in our basement. If I concentrate, I can almost hear the tapping of the keys.
Or get them a quirky clock made for writers.
5. Waterproof Notepad
Best gifts for writers
I was so excited to find this. Sometimes I come up with ideas in the shower. These cool notepads are waterproof and the pages can easily be torn off after writing on them. When I’m cooking, I can jot things down, even when my hands are wet from washing dishes or chopping vegetables.
Another handy gift is a pen with a lighted tip. This is great for capturing those ideas in the middle of the night.
With many people working from home, the home office can get noisy at times. When my husband was working at home, he was on the phone a lot. I found it hard to concentrate, which makes it very difficult to be creative. I would have benefited from noise canceling headphones.
6. Adjustable Height Desk
Good gifts for writers
When I left my teaching job to work as a writer from home, I gained ten pounds in six months. I wasn’t eating any differently than I was before, and I was still doing the same exercise. However, now I was sitting all day instead of moving around constantly. An adjustable desk allows a writer to sit down, but easily changes height so they can move around, stretch or use a balance board while writing. I have a stationary bike peddler under mine.
Replace their old office chair that has no padding left in the seat, with a new ergonomic chair for better back support.
Or you can try something new, and get them a kneeling chair to improve their posture.
7. Literary Insults Poster
Funny gifts for writers
My mom and my aunt used to joke around trying to come up with Shakespearean insults, instead of using curse words. I gave one of these posters to my mom for Christmas, and she loved it!
I found these silly grammar t-shirts when I was looking for gifts for teachers, but writers will find them amusing too.
Do they consider themselves to be a mixologist? Get them a cocktail book with altered literary titles such as Tequila Mockingbird, Are You There God? It’s Me, Margarita, or Gone With the Gin.
8. Electric Back Massager
Relaxation gift ideas for writers
Sitting at a computer can cause neck strain. I try to change my seat height every few hours and get up to walk around, but sometimes I start feeling tension in the back of my neck and shoulders. An electric back massager can be used at the desk to relieve tension with kneading motion and heat.
It isn’t only tense muscles that can happen from sitting at a desk all day. Writers need to relax their minds as well. Scented aromatherapy candles can help diffuse tension in their brain and calm their thoughts.
After sitting at my computer writing for hours, I guess my brain becomes overstimulated. I start to feel like a strobe light is flashing around in my head. A white noise machine helps filter out those feelings and gets me back on track.
9. Typewriter Key Jewelry
Creative gifts for writers
I love this creative way to use typewriter keys. Hopefully this jewelry will help your writer to think outside the box.
Or get them some Literary candles with quotes from novels.
Then inspire them with literary perfume oils with scents called Old Books or Edgar Allan Poe.
10. Under Desk Bike Peddler
Fitness gifts for Writers
My neighbor was getting rid of one of these. I started using it daily while writing. In addition to helping me maintain my weight, it helps get rid of the fidgets.
Balance boards are a great way to exercise while sitting or standing at the desk.
While most yoga will be difficult to do while at the desk, it is a great way to stretch out stiff muscles and get blood flowing again. I take a yoga break every day. It helps clear my mind, and gives me a change of surroundings. I go back to work more focused. Inspire them to try this by getting them a yoga mat.
11. Literature Rocks Glasses
Gifts for authors
With literature rocks glasses, they can read excerpts from Ulysses, A Tale of Two Cities, or Alice in Wonderland, while sipping a drink. Make a set by choosing a few of their favorites.
Do they collect vintage books? Classic editions of novels will make a gift they will cherish.
Or you can give them their favorite novel book cover print, in a frame to decorate their home.
12. New Laptop
Presents for writers
Writers spend a lot of time at their desk, but they also write away from home to change perspective. While there were no laptops during Hemmingway’s time, he still spent much of his time writing in French cafes while people watched. A lightweight laptop will be easy to tote to different locations.
These laptops are smaller and sleek and don’t need a cumbersome bag to transport them. Get a laptop sleeve with a pocket for phone and wallet, and they will be all set.
Then get them a lap desk for when they are working in other rooms in their home, or on the patio.
13. Writers Workbooks
Gifts for young writers
Young writers will benefit from workbooks that will help them organize their ideas, develop characters, and develop story plots. Of course, these are great resources for all writers, but will give younger writers a place to start.
Inspirational books will help build confidence in young writers and inspire them to keep going through bouts of writer’s block or self doubt.
Get a Write your own book for child writers. Who knows? Maybe you will encourage them to be the next Stephen King.
14. Book Drink Coasters
Vintage gifts for writers
Old books, old library cards, coasters that look like typewriter keyboards, these vintage coasters will inspire conversation while keeping drinks from leaving rings on furniture.
They will feel like they are writing at Hogwarts with an old fashioned quill and ink set.
Another vintage gift is a leather journal gift set. It can be used to record their thoughts while traveling or upon waking up in the morning.
15. Stress Balls
Inexpensive gifts for writers
Sometimes writers just get stuck. Maybe they have a deadline, and the creative juices just aren’t flowing. Stress balls get the blood flowing to the hands, while getting rid of some of that tension. These are inexpensive gifts that fit in a Christmas stocking.
A mug for writers is an affordable gift that will keep the coffee flowing as well as the ideas.
Colorful highlighters might seem like a silly gift, but as a writer, I can’t live without them. I have a coding system and the bright colors help me stay organized.
16. Coloring Book
Fun gifts for writers
Coloring isn’t just for kids. Coloring is a great way to let the mind relax and get those creative juices flowing.
Puzzles are another way to let the creative part of the brain take a break. These puzzles have literary themes.
Or give them a 100 books scratch off poster for some ideas for what to read. You can get these for young writers too.
17. Literary Magazine Subscription
Subscription gifts for writers
Literary magazines contain useful info about the writing industry. They also provide opportunities for writers to publish their work. Many magazines are also available through Kindle.
You can also get them a Kindle subscription so they can access numerous books and magazines. They don’t even need a Kindle device. I read books using the Kindle app on my phone.
Then get them a coffee subscription box so they always stay well stocked. You don’t want them running out of steam just when they get a steady flow of inspiration.
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