I’ve heard it said that it’s easy to buy a gift for a writer; however I suspect that the items actually purchased frequently fall into one of three categories – books, notebooks and ‘a nice pen’. If you or the writer in your life is anything like me, they can’t pass a book or stationery shop without buying something, and so they already have an ample supply of pens and notebooks, along with a pile of books on their ‘To Read’ shelf. The following list includes some presents I have previously received and enjoyed, along with a selection of other gifts I think would be great for any writer. I’ve divided them into Pricey, Mid-Priced, Budget and Quirky.
Pricey Gifts
A Writing Course
For the beginning writer, a short internet writing course might be just what they need. I’ve completed two such courses over the past few years and found the experience enlightening and motivating. They forced me outside my comfort zone, and I surprised myself with some of my writing. Both were six weeks in duration, with one assignment per week. Check out these sites for ideas :
Voucher for a Writing Service
Nowadays most budding authors self-publish their work and often cannot afford a professional editor or book cover designer. What better way to help them publish their first book than with a voucher for such a service. Joanna Penn at The Creative Penn has kindly shared a list of cover designers and editors that she recommends.
A Corner Book Shelf
A corner bookshelf like this one could be perfect for the small writing area in any house or apartment.
 |
Mid Priced Gifts
Writing Books
Most writers will already have some books on how to write, so I’ve suggested a few that address other aspects of a writer’s life, books that a writer might not buy themselves but should find helpful.
Writing Down The Bones by Natalie Goldberg – This is one of my favourite books, one that I dip into regularly for inspiration and insights into life as a writer.
Blood on the Page Volume One: A Writer’s Compendium of Injuries – For each entry, you can delve into how the wound could be inflicted and how your characters would treat the wound with a variety of tools and technologies. An excellent resource for crime or thriller writers
The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide To Character Expression – This book includes 75 emotion entries that list body language, thoughts, and visceral responses for each.
Book Ends
For anyone with lots of books & notebooks, Book Ends are great for keeping everything tidy, and these three are perfect for book fans.
A Woman Reading
Runaways
Man Reading a Book
 |  |  |
Notebooks
Despite what I said earlier about writers having a plentiful supply of notebooks, I’ve included this antique style leather notebook due to its unique appearance.
 |
Budget Priced Gifts
You can find lots of inexpensive writer themed items on Amazon such as pens, notebooks, key rings, mugs, coasters, mouse mats and bookmarks. Here’s a sample of some that I liked.
Bookmarks
I rarely leave a bookshop without buying a book, but find it increasingly difficult to find nice bookmarks. I would be delighted to receive some with a writing or book theme such as these :
Do Not Disturb Sign
It can often be difficult to find a quiet time at home, especially with kids around. This ‘I’m writing, do not disturb‘ door sign is the perfect reminder to would-be intruders that there’s a masterpiece in progress.
 |  |  |  |
Mugs
For Jane Austen fans, a coffee mug coffee mug with her most famous quotes and depictions.
A similar Bronte Sisters mug with portraits of the sisters as well as their most famous quotes.
Mug Coaster
I love these coasters that says I Write, What’s Your Superpower?
 |  |  |
Key Rings
A simple gift and a good conversation opener for us introvert writers!
So Many Books, So Little Time , Just Write , #Writer
 |  |  |
Quirky
Waterproof Writing Pad
I often get great ideas in the shower but have usually forgotten the details by the time I’ve dried off and found a pen & notebook. Having read several articles on creativity, it appears that people regularly get great ideas in the shower, not just writers. So what better present to receive than a waterproof notebook and pen!
Novel Tea Bags
25 individually tagged teabags with literary quotes from the world over.
 |  |
Word Games
Word games are a fun way to improve vocabulary, always a benefit to budding writers.
Scrabble
Boggle
iPad Holder
I love to write on my iPad in the local cafe but needed some way to prop it up to make typing easier. I found this gadget on Amazon for £14.00. Sometimes its a little tricky to open up, but it’s very compact and works great.
 |
Happy shopping,
Harry
The content of this page is for informational purposes only and shouldn’t be seen as any kind of advice. See Terms and Conditions for further details.