About Kim Galloway

Best-Selling Author, Kim Galloway is your New Frontier Publisher, Story Pathfinder, and Intuitive Ghostwriter. She helps message-driven people FINALLY write their books to share their message – as Best-Selling Authors!

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The hidden days in EVERY year are almost here! What’s your plan?

I was just telling Ben today how much I LOVE the days between Christmas and New Years. It feels like a huge push to get to Christmas with endless preparation, shopping, cooking, and cleaning. (And lights to see, songs to sing, yummies to eat, and traditions to create or honor…)

Then on December 26…

The whole world takes a collective pause.

The stores are busy, but they lack that crazy pre-Christmas frantic-ness. (Yes, even with long return lines, the stores are quieter.)

The trimmings of the season are still out, still beautiful, but they’ve faded into a quiet background – the anticipation has worn off.

Kids are out of school but there’s not much on the to-do list.

I find that these days are the most underused time of the year! It’s so easy to fritter it away noshing on leftovers, watching bad TV, and creating a Kim-shaped dip in the couch. The world is on pause – and it’s easy to get caught up in the nothingness of these five days.

Then New Years Day comes in a rush – with glossy magazine articles about resolutions, goals, and forming new habits. All of which is punctuated by the fact that you just did nothing for the last five days!

And you’re perfectly poised to make the most of the collective pause. (Be sure you’ve grabbed Writing Through the Holidays Workshop – it’s $9 well-spent!)

Then, take some time and decide if 2024 is the year you write your book.

I love the “fresh-slate” feeling of a new year and I’m not ashamed to say I’ll be taking full advantage of the upsurge of “New!” energy to jumpstart some exciting offerings. Let me know what YOU would like to see from me in 2024 – courses, events, and coaching.

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Do Authors Need to “Get Out There”? – aka Are You Afraid of Being Seen?

You have a message to share with the world. And you’re taking steps to get it out—writing your book, launching a bestseller campaign, creating a business, building an email list, being active on social media.

And yet…

You’re harboring a deep-seated fear of having all those efforts actually pay off. You want to make a difference in the world but… do you really have to be a celebrity to do that?

Friend, I’m with you.

For every time when I’m like:

I’m so SICK of being invisible! I’m awesome. My work is awesome! My message matters. I TOTALLY should be serving more clients, having more interviews, and being Out There more! I’m going to be more visible! Post more. More videos. More! More! More!

There’s an equal day that says:

Oh look… my comfy sweatshirt. I don’t want to get out there today—it’s too hard, takes too much time, doesn’t yield results, and I *might* have to comb my hair and put on makeup. I think I’ll hide behind my computer instead.

Being visible is scary. It means that you’re out there in a place where you CAN be judged. (It doesn’t mean you WILL be judged. It just means you COULD be judged!)

So what do you do?

1. Remember your message.

Every time I want to stay in quiet anonymity, I remember MY message:

To help my authors share their messages so that they can be a positive impact on the world.

How can I do that if I’m hiding? So I think about you, my friend, and that if I’m invisible to you, you’re invisible to who needs YOU the most.

2. You’re not as big of a deal as you think.

We’re a big deal to ourselves and we’re a big deal to those closest to us. We want to make a Big Impact on the people we’re meant to serve.

But how many people IS that really?

100? 1,000? 50,000? 250,000?

There are BILLIONS of people on the planet. And the biggest influencers I personally know (not the “celebrities” I’m guessing about) have an honest-to-God reach of well under a million people. Yes, even in these days of Tiktok and Instagram; even with millions of “followers” they can’t REACH them all.

Be a HUGE deal to the people to whom you can impact… and forget the rest.

3. Do the thing that scares you.

I’m not talking about jumping out of planes or getting cozy with spiders! Do the visibility thing that scares you.

If that’s writing your book, then buy one of my courses and get into action. If that’s being interviewed, then get booked on a podcast. If it’s emailing your list, queue up a holiday message. If it’s video, swipe on that mascara.

Me? It’s hands-DOWN video. I don’t have a good reason why it bothers me so much; I LOVE speaking in person so it’s not stage fright.

I’ve worked on this one a lot, and then… if I don’t KEEP exercising that muscle, I go right back to being uncomfortable about doing live videos. It rears its head (again): being fearful of being seen, noticed, judged, commented on.

So what’s a writer to do?

I remembered my tip #2—I’m not nearly as big of a deal in the world as I THINK I am. Whew.

I remembered that I have been seen, and judged, on video. 96,900+ views as a matter of fact. Trolls and thumbs down all over the place. (I turned off comments YEARS ago.) It impacts my day-to-day life exactly ZERO, btw.

And here’s the thing:

Nobody cares!

And (and this is key) I’m letting an old fear keep me from being seen and getting my message to the people who ACTUALLY need me.

4. Remember WHY you want to be seen.

Frankly, this is the most important:

WHY does it matter that you’re getting out there? WHY does it matter that you’re sharing your message?

Doing interviews and Facebook lives and videos (and posts and social media and WHATEVER) is the vehicle – the but heart of the matter is your message. Your message ties it all together, and makes DOING those activities worthwhile.

It’s not about the book or the video or the podcast. It’s about the person who is receiving that information; the person you want to help. The one for whom your message is meant for.

5. What’s getting in your way (and getting in the way of your message)?

For me, back when I was The Outdoor Princess, my brand got in the way. I was so concerned with wearing pink, having the makeup done for the videos, and wearing a tiara, I forgot my message:

Sharing the love of the outdoors (and the technical how to’s) so people could make happy memories.

We often get caught up in the “should” of writing a book – and dive into that heavy energy. It’s the exact same energy that says you “should” clean the kitchen every night and NEVER go to bed with a sink full of dishes. (Hint: that’s a big negative self-talk from external sources.)

Instead, slip into the wonderful feeling of WANTING to write your book. Of GETTING to write it. Of writing the message-driven book that is on your heart.

Let’s make these last weeks of 2023 MATTER. A great place to start is with The Book Idea Workbook. Spend one (powerful) afternoon with these exercises and walk away with clarity on:

  • The book you REALLY want to write
  • TONS of ideas – and honing in on the one that makes you the most excited
  • Forward progress on what goes IN the book (you’ll want to pair this with Outline Oyster) to finalize your outline
  • And more

Get The Book Idea Workbook Now – Just $97

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56 Best Gifts for Authors – 2023

Wondering what gift to buy the author in your life? Look no further! THIS is the definitive Best Gifts for Authors 2023 Edition. There are over fifty gifts for authors, writers, or folks who love to journal that you can choose from and there is a gift for all budgets.

 

I try to make the Best Gifts for Authors Gift Guide as EASY to use as possible. There are about a MILLIONS links – and I’ve checked them all at time of publication. But I don’t keep up on them throughout the year(s) so they may or may not still work in past guides.

Many of these links ARE affiliate links. If you purchase through that link, I may receive a small commission. (Or I may NOT. Some affiliate programs ARE a bit… sketchy.) Any Amazon link WILL kick me a few pennies. Which I appreciate because this guide takes HOURS every year and I make (usually) about $0.30. So click and buy and share the love!

 

Speaking OF sharing — be sure to share the Best Gifts for Authors 2023 Edition on ALL your social media channels and help me spread the word. (Tee hee, pun!)

Best Gifts for Authors 2023 Edition Click To Tweet

 

New for 2023:

Added a category this year so you’ve got SIX categories to choose from to find the BEST Gift for Authors:

Thoughtful (or Novelty) Gifts for Authors (that they may buy themselves) (11 Gifts)

Comfort-Inducing Gifts For Authors (5 Gifts)

Technology Gifts for Authors (8 Gifts)

Food and Drink Gifts for Authors (10 Gifts)

Creativity Gifts for Authors Beyond JUST Writing (13 Gifts)

Kind Actions to Do for Authors (9 Gifts)

 

And I’ve also gone deep to REALLY vet as many of the products and services as I possibly can. You’re getting MY personal recommendations here!

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links for products that I personally use and believe have value to my readers. When you purchase using my affiliate link, I earn a small commission. (It doesn’t cost you anything extra.) High-five for your support!

Any images or logos belong to the companies they represent!

Definitive Best Gifts for Writers 2023 Edition Click To Tweet

To make your gift shopping a bit easier, just click on the name of the gift to be taken directly to where you can purchase it! At the time of publishing these gift ideas for writers, all the links work. But as the Internet changes, I can’t guarantee that they’ll all continue to work.

Best Gifts for Authors 2023

Thoughtful (or Novelty) Gifts for Authors (that they may buy themselves)

We’ve moved beyond the Highly Practical gifts for writers and into the things that are fun, frivolous, and going to bring a smile to the face of the authors in your life. These are just FUN! Many of these were ALSO requested by YOU.

Book Smeller Embroidered Patch

Archie McPhee NEVER disappoints with fun and novelty gifts for authors. Who wouldn’t love this patch?!

Pencil’s for Writer’s Block

These just look FUN! While they SAYINGS seem to be more for novelists than non-fiction authors, maybe adding a vampire IS the best thing for your how-to book on running a 5k!

 

Typewriter-Style Retro Mechanical Keyboard

I can’t guarantee that this is easy to USE – I prefer the Wave keyboard (below) personally. But it IS fun looking! I love the retro look.

Fingerless Gloves with Book Quotes

112415-FingerlessGloves

Available in a variety of literary patterns, these gloves just look so cool! And they are soft, don’t bunch, and BEYOND fun. (Yes, I have them!) My office gets chilly for a pair of fingerless gloves is a MUST so I can keep typing away!

And if you must wear fingerless gloves… Then THESE are the gloves to wear!

 

Literary Scented Candles

I personally don’t use scented ANYTHING but these just looked too fun not to share as a perfect gift for writers! Created by Frostbeard Studio these are hand-poured soy candles in a variety of literary scents. I think the “Bookstore” candle (pictured) sounds interesting — and my second choice would be “Christmas at the Burrow” from Harry Potter.

 

 

Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty

Get the 4 oz can so you have plenty to play with. This is a great gift for the author who is suffering from tired, aching hands! Give those fingers something else to do and a different way to move and work. Available in soft or firm.

And if someone is looking for a gift for ME for 2023 — this is what I want to try! (Just make sure there’s no smell; I can’t STAND perfumey stuff.)

(Recommended by Teresa Taylor)

 

Aqua Notes Water Proof Note Pad

The perfect writer’s tool when you have a water-induced brainstorm. Because let’s be real: jumping out of the hot water to write a note on the steamed-up mirror isn’t practical! The Aqua Notes notepad is the perfect solution to capture your next great water-induced idea.

YEARS ago, I gifted this to best-selling author Holly Doherty and she still loves them to this day!

 

Bathtub Caddy

I got one of these back in 2019! And it’s been a lifesaver since then. I love to read in the tub and this holds my book and drink. Lately, I’ve been doing watercolor painting from the bathtub and this holds my paper and paints.

If you’ve got a bath lover on your list, THIS is the gift for them. This is especially nice because I don’t personally like smelly stuff so I wouldn’t use a bath bomb or anything but natural bath salts.

Aroma therapy

Essential Oil Diffuser

A request from SEVERAL authors has been for aroma therapy supplies. I think THIS diffuser looks like a good deal. It’s small (so not a lot of desk space and WHEN you knock it over, less water to make a mess.) I like that it has both a continuous and intermittent setting AND an auto-shut off.

Essential Oils on Amazon

I KNOW there is a huge amount of discussion about the quality of essential oils. I’m 100% NOT getting into that! I will say that I have zero problem using the “cheap” ones if I’m just diffusing. I use the expensive if I’m having them touch me. And I NEVER take them orally because they are just way too concentrated for safety. (A past client was a naturopathic doctor who gave me that advice.)

  • And do your research before diffusing any oils around kids or pets; some may SMELL nice but can be too harsh for smaller bodies.
  • My favorite oils in my diffuser are lemon or mint – for brain power.
  • Lavender to relax.

And if you’re looking for more expensive oils, here is a link to YoungLiving — that’s who *I* use for the better quality oils. Affiliate link through Holly Doherty.

 

Ceramic diffuser


Personally, I got a tub of air-dry clay and made little disks. Then I drizzle my essential oil on it and let it do its thing. I like this with lavender for the kids’ rooms – no water to knock over, no mess, no electricity.

You can totally DIY like I did OR you can grab this adorable sunflower diffuser.

 

Comfort-Inducing Gifts For Authors

Lap Desk

While I prefer to write from my dual monitors, ergonomic keyboard desk, when I’m working from my laptop on the couch or propped up in bed, THIS lap desk is where it’s at.

 

Weighted, Heated Neck Wrap

My dad bought this for Ben and I for Christmas and it’s been a Game Changer. It conforms around your neck and shoulders and has a TIMER plus different heat settings. I don’t know about you, but when I’m writing a ton in my notebook, I end up gripping my pen in utter excitement – and that tension travels up my arm and settled in the area where my shoulder meets my neck. OUCH.

This neck wrap is the game changer for me. It allows me to write more, and more comfortably.

 

The “Wave” Keyboard

I write. A lot. And when I transition from the tax office to my own writing business, I couldn’t figure out why my upper body suddenly ACHED. I was in my 20s for crying out loud!

It all stemmed back to HOW I was using my keyboard. In the tax office, it was moving from typing in short notes, using the 10-key calculator, and lots of mouse work. WRITING is well… home row on the keyboard all the way.

I discovered the Wave keyboard (wireless, of course) and have since worn out FIVE. I can’t recommend this enough!

 

 

Copco Water cup with a lid

This is another of those things I use and abuse – my water cup! Over the years, I’ve had dozens of them (they don’t survive a drop very well) and they last longer if you don’t put them in the dishwasher.

It’s the Copco Minimus double wall tumbler

The reason I like THIS cup rather than a cheaper version:

  • Insulated. Keeps the drink colder longer.
  • Wide base. So many cups are very narrow at the bottoms so they tip.
  • Screw-on lid. It doesn’t pop off!
  • Clear. Out of sight… out of mind. If I can’t SEE the water, I forget to DRINK the water.

 

Blue Light Glasses (for people who don’t already WEAR glasses!)

One of the biggest challenges that I have as someone who MUST wear glasses every waking moment is the blue-light from my tech. I once had a prescription pair of blue light glasses and they were GREAT! (Remind me to replace that pair after my next eye exam!)

I like these because they TOTALLY look like Harry Potter!

 

 

Technology Gifts Authors Need

Ahhhh, tech. In certain circles, it’s rather sexy. And while most authors have a deep love for the computer where they do most of their writing, most technology is looked at as a necessary evil. Here are the top tech tools that every writer needs.

Amazon Prime

First off, if you don’t already subscribe to Amazon Prime… you need to! This is the BEST way to get millions of products with free shipping. Plus, MANY small businesses warehouse their products through Amazon so you get to support small businesses AND get all the benefits of Prime shipping. Not to mention their streaming services!

I live in a rural area so it’s 35+ minutes every time I leave my door to go shopping. Far easier to have it come to ME. In the past month, I’ve had Amazon send me four printer cartridge (my laser printer has one for each color), a 2023-2024 wall calendar so I can see my plan, refills on my favorite coffee, an air mattress for an upcoming adventure, and a few books. The time savings… PRICELESS.

Plus, when you use MY link, you’ll get a 30-day free trial!

 

Backup Service – Carbonite

When I was in college, long before cloud-based ANYTHING, I spent Thanksgiving weekend away from my family, working on my Honors Thesis (so I could graduate!) Come Monday, the computer had a catastrophic systems failure and literally melted. All that work… almost gone. I had emailed a draft of it to my professor – and she was able to send it back to me. (I still lost serval hours of work that I had to redo.)

So I’m serious about having a back up service! It’s not practical to save EVERYTHING to the cloud, and I often find that those systems are a bit complicated, one more thing for me to remember, and not quite as stable as I’d like. (That COULD be because I live in a rural area and my internet isn’t always stable itself.)

Carbonite has long been the gold-standard in automatic, offsite, cloud-based backup software. My annual subscription is 100% a no-brainer.

 

USB External SSD

This is a an external solid state drive (SSD) so you can make an in-person backup as well. Earlier in 2022, my computer did a wonky. And while my Carbonite WAS up and running, there were certain file types that weren’t set to automatically back up. Not to mention a few GIANT Zoom files that were just too big.

On the recommendation of an art teacher (Cat Coquillette) I grabbed this USB External SSD as a backup to my backup. They are spendy — but worth it! Watch for regular sales from Amazon (Black Friday and Prime Day.) Just be sure to USE it!

 

Domain Name Registration – Namecheap

As an author, you should own YourName.com (or YourPenName.com) at the very least! There’s something very professional about giving your email address as Name@YourName.com that makes your writing career feel real.

Other options include BookTitle.com – but know that this can get expensive quickly if you have a habit of buying domain names “just in case.” (A-hem! Me!)

My favorite domain name registrar is Namecheap.

 

Website Hosting – Siteground

No, you DON’T have to rush off and create a full-blown website. In fact, I think you need to spend your time writing your book and worry about the website closer to when you’re publishing the book.

But in order to make your email address work, you do need a webhost. And I’m all about SiteGround.

Much like switching off a too-expensive email list provider, in 2021, I also dumped my past hosting company and went to SiteGround. They have both phone and email support (ahhh), really fast load times for my website, and are all-around easy to use.

2023 – Siteground has a WICKED GREAT deal for Black Friday. You do NOT want to miss this!

 

Email Mailing List – ConvertKit

Let’s face it, I’m a Beast-Mode Marketer. And I believe that EVERY author and entrepreneur needs an email newsletter list. You need to be able to talk to your readers, fans, and clients – and social media is NOT where that’s done! You need to be able to control where and how you talk to them.

There are dozens of smaller email marketing providers out there – and then there is one that is PRICED like a little guy buy FUNCTIONS like an industry leader. Oh, and it’s easy to use to boot!

That’s ConvertKit. In 2021, I made the switch from the overpriced and bloated Keap to ConvertKit and it was the BEST thing I’ve ever done. I cut my monthly costs by 2/3 AND still get all the functionality. Plus, ConvertKit has a GREAT free level!

 

Freelance work like typing, graphics, book covers – Fiverr

If you want inexpensive and relatively good, then you’re looking at Fiverr! I say “relatively” good because for every top-notch designer, transcription, or typist on the platform, there are others who are crap. Be sure to read it carefully!

Still, Fiverr is MY go-to for artwork, typing up handwritten documents, and more!

AND here’s the direct link to MY amazing cover designer

https://fvrr.co/342yUzW

 

Now what about video… Vimeo

If you’re an author who also wants to create a course, you’re probably going to need a video hosting service. And that service is Vimeo.

Now, there’s some fine print that is so fine it’s REALLY hard to find. And that is that IF you’re using Vimeo for commercial content, i.e. training videos, you MUST have a paid account.

(And yes, I do recommend Vimeo’s paid service over YouTube’s free. It’s a better platform and you have more control!)

 

 

Food and Drink Gifts to Fuel Your Writing

Let’s talk yummies! This list are the food, drinks, and culinary accessories that I think every author should invest in. (Or be gifted!)

Fun Mugs

You know we authors drink a LOT of hot beverages. Okay we MAKE hot beverages and then drink them cold!

So you need to have a collection of fun mugs! I personally love handmade, heavy-duty pottery mugs. I get all mine from Made In Jerome Pottery in Jerome, Arizona. They do not, however, have an e-commerce website.

But if I HAD to pick another one, I want this one!

 

Hydration

When I was pregnant with Little Bean in 2020, I had a whole HOST of weird, uncomfortable, scary symptoms. Blood pressure, blood sugar, and all labs came back fine so my midwife was understandably puzzled and concerned. She sent me to a perinatologist (specialist) who chatted with me for 15 minutes and declared me massively dehydrated, ordered me to drink 120 ounces of water a day (a gallon), and sent me on my way.

Turns out…

I was MASSIVELY dehydrated.

So I’ve been on a quest to hydrate OTHERS as well. Here are my top four picks for getting in the water:

Hydration Gift Basket

We’ve received baskets from this company (Ben’s work sent it) and they were spot-on and lovely. I’ve never had THIS basket but it seems fun and well-thought out.

Hydrant

Not gonna lie, these have a pretty mild flavor so I usually double up. They offer the salt, sugar, and magnesium a body needs WITHOUT artificial sweeteners or stevia, artificial colors, or a ton of other crap.

My favorite flavors are fruit punch, blood orange, and lime. (Two of the lime packages in 16 ounces of water KINDA tastes like a margarita!)

 

Drink Up!

I’ve long been on a quest to drink more water (and to nag my dad into doing the same.) And sometimes it’s just…

Boring.

So I wrote a book on the subject! I provide you 100 TESTED combinations of things you can diffuse in your water to give it a little extra flavor without any extra calories, sugar, caffeine, etc.

 

Novelty Toilet Paper

Because the well-hydrated author needs a gift that makes them want to do All.The.Steps of being hydrated! Be sure to get on that is full of puns – because, well, AUTHORS.

See all options on Amazon. (Some are REALLY funny and some… aren’t.)

 

Caffeine Delivery via CrateJoy

You know I love coffee…

But I also love tea!

For years, I loved the IDEA of coffee buy couldn’t really drink the stuff, until I got pregnant with Small Thing. Then it was coffee and I couldn’t stand my tea. Which is an awful thing to do to a pregnant lady who can’t have caffeine!

Still, authors typically run on caffeine.

A GREAT gift would be a coffee or tea subscription. While I haven’t personally tried these, I’ll happily accept a gift of one of them. (Hint! Hint!)

Tea Subscription

Coffee Subscription

 

Coffee Gift Box

Earlier this year, I gifted this gift box to my authors in the VIP Writing Mentorship. It was simple to ship directly from Amazon and they seemed to REALLY like it! I used my Amazon Prime benefits to ship it directly to them — for free! All I needed was their current mailing address.

I chose this gift box for the wide variety of goodies IN it. Plus those socks were just too cute to pass up! (I also priced out a TON of gift boxes in other places and this one met the price/value/coolness factor I was looking for.)

 

Snacks

Years I go I hired an amazing coach, Kristen Nolan, who got me back on track with food – what could I eat for actual energy. (She’s since retired but I STILL use her snacking system – see it here.) Kristen was big on snacks that had a carb, fat, and a protein.

Examples would be like dried fruit and a cheese stick. Apple sauce with a protein powder and a dab of peanut butter.

Healthy but easy to get. Nothing crazy fancy.

When I’m deep into writing, here are some of the things I always have on hand!

Snack Subscription Box

How much fun would THIS be? I know it would motivate ME to keep writing.  I think I’d go for the “Sunshine in a Box” option because THAT sounds cheerful and inspiring!

 

THIS protein powder

Vegans, keep on scrolling.

This is tasteless and dissolves almost instantly in any liquid. I have been known to pop it in my coffee early in the morning. I also love it mixed into a little cup of applesauce. I buy the individual serving packets and keep one in my purse to mix into a McDonald’s smoothie for Small Thing on the days when he refuses to eat breakfast before a stomp.

All around, this is the BEST powder I’ve found that doesn’t need me to whip out the blender and make a smoothie. (Behind the Scenes Info: I don’t even LIKE smoothies!)

 

Nuts.com

They offer really great almost-daily deals that include free snacks or free shipping. A healthy variety of dried fruit AND a bunch of “dried fruit” that is heavily sugared (so read the descriptions!)

Favorites in my house are:

  • Dried apricots
  • Dried orange slices (float them in your water)
  • Dried strawberries (LOTS of sugar but the kid loves them)
  • Dried blueberries (some sugar but great in trail mix)
  • Banana chips
  • Dried apple rings (chewy, not crunchy!)

Small Thing is a BIG fan of a handful of raisins lightly sprinkled with fine sea salt. It’s like the salty raisins from trail mix — but without the kid-choking almonds! (Or the fact that any kid will JUST eat the M&Ms from trail mix and leave the rest!) Pair it with a cheese stick and you’ve got a balanced snack WITH electrolytes (from the salt.)

 

Alcohol

I’m pretty sure that ALL writers got the idea from Hemingway that we also need to love booze.

Sorry, I’m pretty much guilty as charged. BUT as a mom, I’m also a total lightweight so make half drinks and then toddle off to bed!

My two favorites are a dark beer – the blacker the better! And whiskey, any type of whiskey.

When you’re looking to give a gift to your (drinking age!) author, find out what type of liquor they like. Then get the GOOD stuff.

So skip the cheap stuff and buy a more expensive bottle. And yes, it’s totally okay to give it JUST because you like the label! THAT, my friends, is marketing in action.

BTW: THIS chocolate whiskey is amazing. Just saying.

 

Creativity Gifts for Authors Beyond JUST Writing

Yes, I work exclusively with non-fiction authors. That doesn’t mean that we’re boring, dry-as-dust, and all right angles. (That was mostly in my past life when I worked with accountants!)

My authors are highly creative people. Who sometimes get into a creative rut. So here are some fun gifts to boost creativity, passion, and fun.

 

Writing Dice

When I’m feeling stuck, there’s NOTHING I love more than a story generator. Even if I don’t use the prompt (because so much doesn’t actually FIT for non-fiction authors) it always gets me feeling creative! These say “Banish the blank page” and seem like fun. (Hint: If somebody sent them to me, I’d enjoy them!(

 

Annual Membership to Skillshare

This is my personal go-to to take classes in drawing, painting, and photography. Do I DO all the classes (as in do the exercises)? Nope. But I also believe in filling my brain and heart with LOTS of passion.

Here are really well-done classes I highly recommend:

Sketching
Teacups in gouche
Modern Watercolor Techniques

 

Journal Sparks: Fire Up Your Creativity with Spontaneous Art, Wild Writing, and Inventive Thinking

I found this book in summer 2022 through one of my watercolor groups on Facebook. Let me tell you… I DEVOURED it. This is a great resource for all-around creativity. And it’s PERFECT for the author suffering from writer’s block — just use it to do something new, different, and highly creative!

I honestly can’t recommend it enough. It’s still my go-to when I’m feeling stuck (and just flipping through the pages is often enough to get the creative juices flowing!)

 

Art Box Subscription

I’ve had my eye on this idea for a while now… I love the idea that EVERYTHING you need just arrives on your doorstep and you’re ready to create.

I also think that stepping OUT of our words-only comfort zone is key to juicing up the creative centers of the brain.

I would personally love a subscription to EITHER of these:

SketchBox

I’ve heard REALLY GOOD things about this one from my watercolor artist friends. I think it would be fun!

CrateJoy

And if you’re looking for something that can REALLY tie into their tastes, then here is CrateJoy.

They offer TONS of different subscription boxes. I love the idea of a craft box that comes with EVERYTHING I need but they also offer boxes, teas, and other gifts.

 

 

REALLY nice notebook and pen


This is more of a “buy it for yourself” gift because every author has very personal preferences for what makes a REALLY nice notebook and pen.

The type you just love to use, can’t wait to pick up, and fully enjoy.

For me, I like these Bic Atlantis pens. I love the slim body, the weight of the ink, and the fact that they are ball-point, not gel. (I REALLY hate gel pens unless they are THESE ones, in white, that I use on my watercolor paintings.)

I have my black ones I use in my Important Business Writing Work and the colored ones I use in my annual Leonie Dawson Goal Workbook and for my to-do list.

As for a notebook, it all depends on what I’m using it FOR. I typically prefer spiral, MUST be college ruled (or unlined), and have a pretty cover.

See? It’s really hard to buy these things for someone else – we all have personal preferences. And while all authors (and entrepreneurs) love getting office supplies, we often want to purchase it ourselves.

Black
Colored

 

Now, let’s talk notebooks!

Authors want beautiful AND function. Some authors love a notebook that is spiral bound and others prefer a saddle stitch or perfect bound. Lined? Grid? Unlined? College-rule or wide-rule?

While we PREFER a certain style, authors always LOVE getting a beautiful notebook or journal as a gift. It’s a sign that you support our writing.

This year, I’ve found a great collection from Lang. They have all types of stationary in all types of binding!

 

 

MY Workbook


The Writer’s Goal Setting Workbook: A Step-By-Step Process to Getting Your Writing Done is a tool I wrote just for you. This workbook allows you to take stock of where you’re at in your writing, where you want to get to, and make a plan to do that.

And it has a YEAR’s worth of tracking for your mini-goals! While this is a perfect-bound paperback, I designed it to take to your local copy shop to have them trim off the biding and add a spiral. (Offering it with a spiral makes it REALLY expensive; cheaper to have it done yourself. My local place charges me about $5!)

 

Calm App

When I was stuck in the La-Z-Boy chair during my recovery, I watched a LOT of HGTV. It is the one channel that Small Thing and I can both agree on (and it’s pretty kid-friendly with no cussing and a minimum of TV invented drama.)

And every so often a commercial would come up for Calm. I don’t even think it had a voice-over! Just the sound of rain and the words to take a deep breath. After a few times seeing this ad, I went searching.

When my doctor PRESCRIBED daily meditation, I knew I was onto something.

The app has a lovely selection of background music and soundscapes – perfect for SOME noise while writing but not anything too distracting. Plus lots of different guided meditations on all types of topics. My personal favorite is “The Daily Trip” because I like his voice.

 

Sand Timer

This goes hand-in-hand with my process on mini-goals. I’ve told authors and artists around the world about the power of a 15-minute sand timer – and it works!

What I love the most is that when you’re in the flow, this doesn’t interrupt you when it runs out. And when you’re really struggling, you don’t have the ability to stare at numbers counting down – it quietly encourages you to get back to work.

And yes, I get it from Amazon! I have one of the cheapy plastic ones because KIDS. But you can spring for a lovely glass and metal version as well. I’d love this one AND I’m very happy with my plastic version too.

 

Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert

Gift Ideas for Writers - Big Magic
This was gifted to me by my bestie (hi Jess!) and I promptly fell in love. Gilbert shares a lot of the ideas I had always held as truth about the power (and responsibility) of having an idea, being creative, and bringing forth amazing beauty in the world.

 

Julie & Julia on DVD

Gift Ideas for Writers - Julie & Julia DVD

I think this movie might have a permanent spot on my list. Why? Because this is my personal go-to for when I need a feel-good movie about two authors who keep following their dreams – and make it. It’s feel good, funny, and has ZERO dark parts.

Now, someone had the AUDACITY to point out to me that the real-life Julia went on to become kinda a jerk in her real life. Seriously! Don’t ruin the Hollywood magic for me.

I reach for this movie whenever I feel like I need a boost of “you can do this!” that is specifically around writing, being an author, sharing a message, having a passion – AND having a loving romantic relationship. Julia Child’s husband, Paul, is just a delightful character in the movie!

While this story SEEMS to be about cooking, this movie is really about the writing journeys of two women – separated by years but brought together by supportive husbands and a love of butter. (Seriously, what could be better!)

Or get the book! (Yes, I’ve read it!)

 

Story Generators

Authors usually have no problem coming up with ideas. But it’s that “usually” that can kill it – because sometimes, you WANT to write, to create, and you’re just… stuck.

It’s like being creatively constipated. And it’s absolutely no fun.

So here are a few fun options to get the ideas flowing again.

Story Cubes

Story Generator

Magnetic Poetry

 

 

 

Kind Actions to Do for Writers

MOST of these things are gift requests you can make for other people – perfect when someone asks you what you want to receive AND you don’t actually want or need any more things to dust. (Seriously, that is ONE of the criteria I use before I buy something: do I want to DUST this thing?!)

Babysitting/Playdate

I’m a mom of three and I don’t trust my kids to just anybody. (Okay so almost NOBODY.) One of the best gifts I’ve given myself is two afternoons a week, just 12-3 on Mondays and Tuesdays, where the 18-year-old neighbor comes to hang out with my kids. Now that we’re on the Ranch, I need to find a sitter!

It’s a win-win-win for all of us. I get time to write, work, or just REST. She gets money for her car fund. My kids get to play with somebody who is NOT mom or dad. (And when Ben is home, he uses this time to work too!)

A few times a month, I borrowed a friend’s kids for an afternoon. I don’t get much done but it’s a BLAST watching the boys play and Little Bean got to play with the toys WITHOUT her brother telling her what she could and could not touch. I got to do a few house projects and had a BREAK from kid TV and “Mom! I’m HUNGRY.”

My friend knew her kids were also off screens and playing outside.

 

Buy Their Book

Seriously, I put this on the gift guide every year. If you have a friend who is an author, BUY THEIR BOOK.

If it isn’t you cup of tea, then use your Amazon Prime benefits to send it directly to a friend as a gift. OR donate it to your local library, senior center, church, etc.

Authors work really hard. We love what we do. We WANT to help people and we WANT to sell books. Unfortunately, often times the people closest to us are the ones who SAY they’ll support us and then… don’t.

So buy that book!

 

Listen to Them

Authors love to talk about their book. But often the “usual” listening ears get tired – quickly! When I was in college, getting my degree in Creative Writing, all I wanted to talk about was… writing! My goals, my plans, my characters, my latest piece, contests I was submitting to, and my latest publication. (At the time I did think I wanted to write fiction and I did write a lot of poetry.)

I have a “friend” pull me aside and tell me that I needed to stop talking about writing all the time, that it was boring to listen to and made me seem immature. Basically, she told me I needed to grow up and stop talking about my dreams.

It gutted me. For an afternoon. Then I realized that a REAL friend would be supportive – even if I was obsessive! She might have been boy-crazy, I was writing-crazy.

However, this isn’t the only time this has happened to me OR an author I know – that someone with fewer life passions (or zero manners) has asked us to shut the f up!

Don’t be that person. Take your author friend out for coffee and LISTEN. Ask good questions. Share in their excitement.

 

Invite Them Out

Authors spend WAAAAAY too much time in their heads! And that can translate into too much time with computers, notebooks, and reading. All these solitary activities are great… until they aren’t!

In October, I took my kids to the pumpkin patch. I REALLY wanted to invite my best friend Holly and her family BUT I made up all these excuses about why they wouldn’t be able to come. Holly and her family were planning a trip to the same pumpkin patch and she really wanted to invite me and the kids… and she make up all these reasons why we couldn’t come.

Thankfully, God didn’t listen to either of us and arranged it so we were going on the same afternoon!

So, don’t assume that the author in your life DOESN’T want to go out and do something! Invite them.

Now, not all authors are introverted, shy, or socially awkward – so don’t hesitate to invite them to social gatherings, parties, or more intimate events like running errands together.

Holly and I learned (remembered) that we’re both adults: the other party can and WILL say yes or no depending on availability. We don’t need to make assumptions for the other party!

Follow @inspiredtowrite on Instagram

This account has daily doses of inspiration for why the world needs you – as a creative person – to continue to put stuff out into the world. I love that these hand-written messages also take the pressure OFF endlessly creating, and back into the hands of fun, play, imagination, and rest.

Now, I’ve never watched her Instagram lives so I have no clue what she shares there!

These reminders of what it’s like to be an artist were part of what inspired me to pick up paint brushes again – after twenty years – and to share my creativity with the world. This is especially important.

If your author isn’t on Instagram or doesn’t know how to find this account, help them out! It’s worth it.

 

 

Gift Card for Massage or Yoga

Okay, this isn’t an action that YOU are going to do – it’s one that you buy for your author.

Authors spend long hours in strange postures with words on paper – computer, phone, notebook, Kindle, paperback… And we get SORE and TIGHT. A massage or a yoga class is JUST what is needed to get the knots out, circulate the blood, and re-energize the brain.

And, most authors forget that massages or yoga (or their favorite brand of exercise) isn’t a luxury; it’s like an Olympic athlete training for their sport.

And you’re thinking, “Whoa! Big leap there, Kim!”

Author’s main “muscle” is the brain – but that can’t get out of the brain without using their shoulders, arms, wrists, hands, and fingers. Not to mention the upper back and core – just for sitting! To take care of the ideas, you’ve got to care for the body.

Bonus points if you’ll go WITH the author to the yoga class!

Does your author use a text-to-speech software instead of typing or writing? That puts strain on different body parts so they STILL need a massage or yoga classes.

Now, if you want to be the Hero of the Holidays – buy them a SET of massages or classes. One is great but something they can use weekly or monthly for a while is even better.

And if your author isn’t into massages (weird, but it happens!) then a Percussion massager is a decent substitute.

 

Donate in their name to a literacy organization


Sometimes, your author really won’t need or want anything. Or all parties have gone on a “don’t give me anything that could ever become clutter” kick.

So take what you’d have spent on that gift, and make a donation in their name to a literacy organization. Dolly Parton has a great one that gets books into the hands of underprivileged kids.

Or Make Way for Books

Or Reading is Fundamental

And never hesitate to call the local library in your author’s hometown and ask if you can make a donation THERE, in the name of your author, to be used in the library. Authors LOVE libraries!

 

Ask Your Author What THEY Want as a Gift

Hollywood has made it seem like we’re bad friends, partners, family if we can’t guess what the PERFECT gift is for each and every person in our lives.

Give me a break!

I can love a friend (husband!) to death and STILL have no clue what they want as a gift. It’s okay to ask. In fact, this part of the Gift Guide was designed to be handed to you, the Friend-Of-An-Author to give you ideas of actions you can take.

There are other pages that give ideas for the author to either ask for or buy for themselves.

So don’t let your author give you the BS excuse…

“I don’t know. I don’t need anything.”

They want and need gifts – they may not actually articulate it.

Amazon gift cards, as cop-out as it can feel, are ALWAYS a good bet.

Me? I LOVE McDonald’s coffee and would love a gift card to McDonald’s. (I only drink Starbucks in airports, go figure!)

Authors love office supplies – just not journals and pens. We’re VERY particular there. But you can’t go wrong with novelty paperclips, notepads in fun shapes and colors, or…

 

Stickers!

Here are some really fun reading/writing related stickers on Amazon. PERFECT for a “gift” to go along with a gift card.

 

 

But trust me, the best gift for writers…

Buy their book!

 

 

P.S. No, there was no Gifts for Writers Guide for 2020. I was personally very sick and just couldn’t manage it!

And as always, you can always see past year’s Gift Guides Here:

2013 – 20 Great Gifts for Writers)
2014 – 20 Gifts for Writers Under $20
2015 – 25 Gifts for Writers
2016 – 20 Gifts for Writers 2016 Edition
2017 – 5th Annual Gift Guide for Writers
2018 – 17 Unique Gift Ideas for Writers
2019 – 20 Uncommon Gifts for Writers
2021 – Best Gifts for Writers 2021
2022 – Best Gifts for Authors 2022

 

P.P.S. Many of these links ARE affiliate links. If you purchase through that link, I may receive a small commission. (Or I may NOT. Some affiliate programs ARE a bit… sketchy.)

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Where Hollywood Does Endorsements Wrong (and one celeb that’s right)

American TV is filled with commercials of Hollywood stars endorsing various products.

Copyright – Aveeno

Aveeno and the glowing skin of Jennifer Aniston. And since so many of her Friends co-stars look like plastic mannequins, it DOES make me wonder if her secret MIGHT be a lotion or a cream. (Doubt that it’s a drug-store lotion though!)

I used to LOVE the “What’s in your wallet?” commercials with Jennifer Garner. (I’m not actually a fan of hers but I thought the commercials for Capital One were hilarious.

And who can forget the sexy voice of Matthew McConaughey talking about a Lincoln car? Although THOSE commercials always seem strange and disjointed to me since the voice track doesn’t make SENSE.

Which leads us to celebrity endorsements for your book.

Sure these three stars have name recognition. And even if you don’t know their NAME – you can probably recognize their voices and faces. However, outside of the glowing skin of Jennifer Aniston, these endorsements don’t make SENSE.

What financial advice is Jennifer Garner qualified to give that means I should use THAT card?

If you’ve read “Green Lights”, Matthew McConaughey’s memoir, then you KNOW that driving a luxury car doesn’t exactly fit with who he is. He’s an old junker van or a beat-up pickup kinda man. (Seriously, he drove a tiny RV for YEARS – roaming the country.)

A celebrity endorsement for your book needs to be the RIGHT celeb – not just a giant name but a name and CREDENTIALS that make sense paired with YOUR book, YOUR message, and YOUR readers.

It’s not hiring a famous name – it’s seeking out the exact right person who will give your book a glowing blurb – and that helps sell books.

Having the right celebrity endorsement means that when a reader is cruising Amazon and looking between a few books, they are more likely to choose YOUR book. They won’t know who YOU are, and they might not recognize the name of the celeb giving the endorsement.

They can and will be swayed by the CREDIBILITY that an expert can bring. The titles, the credentials, the fact that that person is in a position of prestige and giving an endorsement to your book… matters. And it brings in more sales.

This doesn’t have to be a mystery!

In my new course, “Seek a Celeb: Getting Endorsements that Get Attention” I’ve given you my complete 3-part framework so that you can identify the {right} famous person to write a book blurb for you, how to ask them, and how to keep track of who you’ve asked and when you need to follow up. All so you can USE that blurb to sell more books without running around in circles.

This is the exact process that was previously only accessible to my highest-level publishing clients – and you can get it NOW for just $97.

Don’t wait! This is limited time pricing.

Get Early-Bird Pricing for Seek a Celeb

With Seek a Celeb you will be able to:

  • Create a list of people who would be perfect to give you a book blurb you can use in your marketing
  • Know exactly how to ask them – and what magic words will help them say yes
  • Have a plan to ask, receive, and USE the endorsement

All without asking the WRONG celebrity (that can actually HURT your book sales) or delaying your book launch because the celebrity is too “busy.”

And if your book is already PUBLISHED – then you can still use this to get celeb endorsements. They will 100% help your marketing efforts.

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The Counterintuitive Technique to Getting More Writing Done in Less Time

My dad always says, “Kim we all have the same 24-hours in a day!”

And every.single.time he says it, I just get MAD!

Because me? I want to have MORE time than everybody else. I don’t want rules to apply to ME! I want to create MORE time out of LESS.

Like the alchemists of old who wanted to create gold out of lead, I want to make something out of nothing.

While I can’t create an extra hour on your clock, I can create more writing time in your day.

Here’s the counterintuitive technique to getting more writing done in less time:

You need to turn OFF the inner editor in your brain. That, as you know, is easier said than done! When you’re tying along and mis-spell a word, that little red squiggly underline stops you DEAD in your tracks – it must be fixed RIGHT NOW. (Same for the underline that means that your grammar isn’t spot-on and the computer is suggesting a fix.)

Those are great tools for EDITING. They’re lousy for writing.

And no, don’t go turn them OFF!

Because when you shift from writing the get-it-done draft of your book to a more important, formal piece of writing, you’ll have forgotten they were turned off and THAT is a recipe for a disaster.

Instead…

Go to the COLOR of your text – where you can make it red or blue or green – and turn it to…

WHITE.

Yep, it’ll disappear against the page. As you type you WON’T be able to see your writing at all.

Did I just give you a heart attack? Stick with me!

Now, type. Write. Share. Do it as fast as possible.

Ignore the grammar and spelling squiggles.

Go.
Go.
Go.

When you can’t see your writing, you can’t judge it OR edit it in the moment. When you’re done with your writing session, highlight it all, and turn the font color BACK to black.

Then (this is key!) save it and WALK AWAY.

Don’t read (edit) it in the moment.

Come back after a break. Let it sit.

When you do come back, all you’re “fixing” is anything that is so badly misspelled you won’t know what you’re trying to say if you read it days or weeks later. (We don’t edit AS we’re writing!)

It’s completely counterintuitive to NOT be able to see what you’re writing AS you write it. But it’s also the fastest way to circumvent your inner critic and get more writing done.

I give you lots of other practical (and magical) tricks on getting your writing done in my course, Finally Write Your Book.

Sign up for the free training to give yourself a taste OR grab the whole course here. Use coupon code BOO for 31% off, expires at midnight Pacific on 10/31/23.

Secondhand Worth: Join Me for a Client Book Launch – Holly Doherty

While it SHOULD be fall, summer is still lingering here in the desert of New Mexico. The heat that wraps around me always makes me think of sitting in the truck, nondescript brown cardboard package in my lap, taking a deep breath before opening it to find the very first copy of my very first book. Mom and I cried.

Last week, one of my clients got to experience that feeling too.

I always wish I could be there for that moment…

She did the next best thing – a Facebook live. When she saw held the book for the first time… she was in tears.

That moment, the first moment, when she held her book in her hands and IT WAS REAL.

My fellow author, nothing feels quite the same.

While your FIRST book is especially sweet, this wasn’t her first book. But it is her most IMPORTANT book – her memoir.

If you’ve been around my campus for any length of time, you’ll know I NEVER say that you’re “pregnant” with a book. Trust me, after having carried three babies AND 20+ books, it isn’t the same at all. (Not to mention that the whole metaphor leaves men and anyone who doesn’t have kids completely out of the loop.)

And you don’t “birth” a book. Giving birth to a baby – via c-section and VBAC – is totally different.

The first time you hold your book and see how REAL it is, feel the weight of it, see YOUR NAME on the cover…

Actually, that one IS kinda like holding your child. The realness of it is pretty similar. The feeling that this is really happening – and is going to change your life forever – that is pretty much the same.

For a moment, I want you to imagine that this was your book… your moment. Close your eyes and really picture holding your book, seeing your name on the cover.

Feels good, doesn’t it?

Today, I want to invite you to join Holly Doherty and I for the launch of memoir book, “Secondhand Worth”. Writing this book and launching it to the world is the culmination of years of dedicated writing – as well as decades of overcoming obstacles, finding herself, and living through some truly amazing things.

When you join the launch party, you’ll get to hear from Holly about her experiences in a n*die camp, purity cult, and yes… having a meltdown about peanut butter. PLUS see first-hand how a virtual book launch party works.

Register Here.

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My Art Teacher’s Tips to Writing Your Book

All through high school, I was a regular fixture in Mr. Ward’s advanced art classes. Fifty minutes every day of just… drawing. Since I was in the advanced classes, there was limited instruction and lots of time to create. I’d spend an entire semester working on ONE large drawing or painting.

It was a project.

That meant that there was ZERO room to get it done in the days before the deadline. I had to work on it Every.Single.Day. And not just in class; my dad built me a beautiful art table at home and I would work on my drawing for an hour or more every night too.

When I got to college, I was surprised to discover that it was Mr. Ward’s art classes that had best set me up for academic success. That daily habit of working on my project.

As adults, I doubt we can find TWO 1-hour chunks in our day to write our books. I know I can’t! But I can take the daily lessons from Mr. Ward and translate them to writing your book.

1. Daily efforts add up

Did I work on my drawing (on my own time) seven days a week? Probably not. But I do know that MOST evenings and at least one weekend afternoon would find me drawing.

When you strive to write every single day to write your book, you’ll probably get 4/7. And that adds up!

2. Practice makes improvement

You’re not coming to your book not knowing how to write AT ALL. You’re actually a pretty skilled written communicator – emails, social media posts, blog articles, etc.

By practicing your writing skills, you will improve. And you’ll add new skills that are unique to writing a book, like storytelling.

3. Teachers matter

While much of Mr. Ward’s classes were self-directed, he was a brilliant art teacher as well. I learned more about perspective in his class than in any of my art classes since. And while I “knew” my color wheel, it was his lessons on mixing paint that really allowed me to see how to create rich depths of color.

Your teacher matters. You want a teacher who is passionate about their subject, currently working in the field, and has successes of their own AND clients.

(Yes, that’s 100% me when it comes to writing. I have studied writing my whole life, have a degree in Creative Writing from the University of Arizona, written over 20 books of my own, and have dozens of students who have bestselling books!)

A great place for you to START is with my brand-new mini-course, “Outline Oyster.”

This is a quick course to help you write an outline for your non-fiction book – one that keeps you on track, motivated to write, and is ANYTHING but boring or stodgy.

(After all, with a name like OUTLINE OYSTER you know this is going to be fun, right?!)

In under two hours, you’ll learn:

  • How you want your reader to change from reading your book – and know how to WRITE that so it happens
  • Which stories need to go in your book – and where
  • How to take your reader from Hot Mess to Clarity – so their life can change for the better
  • Quick and practical steps to organize your ideas – this ALONE has been responsible for countless authors getting unstuck
  • How to write from your outline so you keep your creativity and motivation high
  • What goes in the book (and what doesn’t!) so your reader gets the maximum transformation without being overwhelmed
  • How to think about your book in terms of larger offerings you may have – like courses or coaching

Use the coupon code OUTLINE1023 for $50 off the course!

Enroll Here.

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