10 Last Minute Gift Suggestions for Writers

by Pamela S. Meyers

Do you have a writer on your gift list and don’t know what to buy them? Here's a handy dandy list. It doesn’t matter if your writer loved-one is published or unpublished, they all enjoy writerly gifts.

Here’s my suggestions in no particular order.

1.  Magazine subscription to a writer’s magazine. Writer’s Digest and The Writer are two suggestions. If it turns out they already have a subscription to the one you give, the magazine will extend the gifted months to the current subscription, so you’re good no matter what!

2.  Writing Craft Books. A gift card to Amazon would be better than randomly choosing a title. Writers have certain needs to help their style of writing and they know best which books would help them the most.

3.  Yearly Planner for the specific purpose of scheduling their deadlines, keeping track of writing expenses for tax purposes, etc.

4.  Electronic tablet such as an iPad if your budget allows for it.

5.  Tote Bag large enough for a laptop or that new tablet (see #4).

6.  History Books. If they write historicals and you know the setting for their stories, books on the history of the area.

7.  Money! to be used to fund promotions for their books. Publishers are expecting their authors to do a good deal of promotion for their books, so it doesn't matter if they are traditionally published or indie published. Online ads cost money and even though some may seem minimal in cost, they can add up.

8. Funds toward attending a writing conference. Regional conferences cost less than national ones, but the cost is still high for a starving writer. A national conference like ACFW’s can cost around $1000 plus for registration, hotel, and travel.

9. Website design. Professional website developers can be pricey, but there are a lot of talented people who are just getting started and will do a nice job for less. Finding one might take some effort, but ask around. Even if your writer is a newbie and not yet established, it’s essential to have a presence on the Internet from the get-go.

10. Fun stuff. Type "writer products" into your search engine and you’ll find T-shirts, mugs, and other products with funny sayings like “Careful or You’ll End Up in My Novel” or “Some of My Favorite People Are Fictitious.” There are even writers’ clocks out there that are fun.

That’s my list. What did I miss? If any writers who are reading this have more suggestions, please leave them in the comments.

I wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

A native of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, author Pamela S. Meyers lives in suburban Chicago with her two rescue cats. Her novels, currently available, include Thyme for Love, which has recently been rereleased on Amazon and her 1933 historical romance, Love Finds You in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin. She expects two more books to be released in 2016. When she isn’t at her laptop writing her latest novel, she can often be found nosing around Wisconsin and other Midwestern spots for new story ideas.