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 TweetTo 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
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
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!)
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.
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
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
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.
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.
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.)
Looking for a gift idea for writers? I’ve got you covered! Welcome to the seventh year of the Writer’s Gift Guide. I’ve scoured the web looking for the best gifts for writers – no matter if they write fiction, non-fiction, bloggers, or just love the written word.
It never fails: as soon as the calendars flip to October, my inbox and Facebook feed starts filling up with:
Sigh.