I LOVE finding just the right gift for the people I most care about, don’t you?
Believe it or not, writers are easy—and fun—to buy for.
If you thought there weren’t many options beyond:
- Paper and pens
- An Amazon or bookstore gift card
- A notebook
- A book by their favorite author
You’ll be happy with what my team and I have found!
Many great options exist, and I can even save you the time of searching for them.
Here, then, is a massive list of gifts for writers.
(Full disclosure: If you decide to purchase an item after clicking one of the links below, I may get a small commission at no extra cost to you. I promise to invest any and all such commissions directly into writer training.)
CONTENTS
- Gifts for Young Writers
- Gifts for Aspiring Authors
- Home Decor Gifts for Writers
- Gifts Any Writer Would Love
- Tech Gifts for Writers
- Writing Tools
- High-Ticket Gifts for Authors
Gifts for Young Writers
The Writer’s Toolbox
Created by a creative writing teacher, the box is full of exercises designed to teach kids how to kickstart story ideas and sprinkle in plot twists.
Price: $22.11
Mad Libs Book
Mad Libs is a fun way for kids to practice different parts of speech and learn storytelling.
Includes Mad Libs about world history, dogs, unicorns, road trips, and even Frozen.
Price: From $4.99
Man Bites Dog
Have a budding journalist or blogger in the family? Man Bites Dog is a card game that can help them learn to write outrageous, attention-grabbing headlines.
Price: $7.85
The Storymatic Game
Draw two gold cards for the main character’s two defining characteristics and a copper card to reveal the situation or motivation.
Helps aspiring writers practice storytelling and stretch their imaginations.
Price: $29.95
Spilling Ink: A Young Writer’s Handbook 1st Edition
Spilling Ink is full of practical advice to give ambitious authors the direction to craft spellbinding stories.
Price: $7.79
642 Big Things to Write About: Young Writer’s Edition
642 Big Things to Write About is a journal full of prompts encouraging writers to think outside the box. For a budding writer who wants to practice short story writing or novel plotting.
Price: $19.06
Gamewright Rory’s Story Cubes
Rory’s Story Cubes is a pocket-sized creative story generator. Simply role the nine cubes and let your imagination run wild with an infinite number of ways to play. Contributes to literacy development, problem-solving, and storytelling abilities.
Price: $12.99
“Write On” T-shirt
From Etsy.
Choose from a range of colors and styles.
Price: From $22
Gifts for Aspiring Authors
Writing Magic: Creating Stories that Fly
Writing Magic teaches writers of all ages how to turn their ideas into spellbinding stories.
- How to find ideas
- Creating intriguing beginnings and satisfying endings
- Character development
- What to do when you’re feeling stuck
Price: $6.98
Writer’s Market 2020
The Writer’s Market 2020 is one of the best gifts for writers ready to start making money from their work.
The comprehensive guide includes contact information for magazines, publishers, and literary agents who can help your writer get published.
Also includes information on:
- Literary competitions
- Submission information
- How to market your writing
- Creating a business plan
- Crafting an attention-grabbing query letter
Price: From $14.99
The Elements of Style (Illustrated)
I read this at least once every year. The Illustrated Elements of Style guide is the go-to manual on clear, direct writing.
Price: $11.49
Writer’s Digest Critiques
If your writer has finished a manuscript and is eager to know if it has merit, consider gifting them a Writer’s Digest Critique. Few things can be more valuable and instructive to an aspiring writer than expert input.
Price: Varies by length of submission
On Writing by Stephen King
On Writing, is one of my favorites and is among the best books I’ve read on the craft.
Full of anecdotes and tips, it tells his story of going from unknown and unpublished to one of the most celebrated writers of our day..
Warning: Not for kids. Contains adult language.
Price: $15.14
Plot & Structure by James Scott Bell
Plot & Structure is a book every writer should read. Written by a longtime friend and colleague, it’s a resource I often refer to often in my blog. A great gift for beginners to experts.
Price: $12.77
Writer Emergency Pack
Have a writer friend who’s feeling stuck? The Writer Emergency Pack could be the perfect gift.
It helps weed out plot holes, spice up bland characters, and pose questions that lead to intriguing solutions.
Price: $9.99
The 3 A.M. Epiphany: Uncommon Writing Exercises that Transform Your Fiction
The 3 A.M. Epiphany takes authors out of their comfort zones and throws them into impossible situations — making for compelling fiction.
Designed to stretch the imagination and transform stale writing.
Price: $12.75
The Emotion Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Character Expression
The Emotion Thesaurus includes over 130 entries on facial expressions, mental responses, and body language to help writers show characters’ emotions, rather than telling readers about them.
Price: $17.09
Home Decor Gifts for Writers
Custom Typewriter Pillow
Searching for personalized gifts for writers?
This pillow from Etsy may be the answer.
You can customize it with a personal message, their favorite quote, a joke, or even the title of their book.
Price: $31
Bathtub Book Caddy
The book caddy lets your writer enjoy a book hands-free.
Price: $29.98
Gifts Any Writer Would Love
Audible Subscription
Audible Subscriptions make great gifts for writers. I listen to one book or another every day — while working out, walking, driving, or waiting in line. And the list of titles is endless!
Price: From $15
“I’m Plotting” T-shirt
Stocking stuffer gifts don’t have to be boring.
The “I’m Not Quiet, I’m Plotting” T-shirt from Etsy is costs less than $20 and is sure to be a hit.
Price: $14.40
Writers Gonna Write Pencil Set
The “Writers Gonna Write” pencil set includes six No. 2 pencils with phrases like “I’d Rather Be Writing” and “Write. Edit. Repeat” embossed in gold foil.
Price: $10
A Wireless Typewriter Keyboard
This is one of my all-time favorite purchases! In fact, I have one of these for each of my desktop computers. I enjoy the look and feel (and sound) of my first manual typewriter but with all the bells and whistles the modern keyboard needs.
Price: $269.99
The Little Literary Cookbook
The Little Literary Cookbook is the perfect companion for writers looking to whip up a dose of inspiration from their favorite books.
Make Paddington Bear’s famous marmalade, decadent Queen of Hearts tarts, and The Great Gatsby’s classic Mint Julep.
Price: $14.89
The Book HookUp Subscription Box
The Book HookUp Subscription Box comes in themes such as Political Nonfiction, Mystery, Fantasy, and more, making it easy to select a genre your friend will love.
The subscription box is sent quarterly and includes a signed first edition of a highly anticipated title, a paperback, and other literary goodies.
A single box is $50, and a full-year subscription is $200.
Price: $50-$200
Tech Gifts for Writers
Kindle + Kindle Unlimited Subscription
Kindle’s Paperwhite is the lightest, thinnest, and most durable model. It’s waterproof, glare-free, and has twice the storage of previous models.
A subscription to Kindle Unlimited gives members access to over one million titles and thousands of audiobooks.
Price: $129.99
Dragon Naturally Speaking Software
I swear by this technology. I find some use for it everyday, and it really saves time.
They’re improving the technology all the time, so opt for the latest version you can afford.
Price: $150
Writing Tools
Grammarly Premium
Whether your writer is penning their debut novel or writing blogs, Grammarly can help them nail their punctuation and grammar.
The premium subscription is full of features like style suggestions, sentence structure checks, and a plagiarism checker to give any piece of writing the final polish it needs.
Price: From $29.95
Scapple
Scapple is a powerful tool that helps writers see connections between ideas.
It can prove a useful gift for writers who want a visual way to track their structure.
Price: $17
Scrivener
Scrivener is one of the most popular writing tools on the market. The editing software lets you keep track of all your ideas, common themes, and words throughout your manuscript.
I’ve found its most valuable feature is the virtual cork board that allows me to organize all my research in one place and arrange it in whatever order I choose.
Price: $44
ProWritingAid
ProWritingAid is a powerful grammar checker, style editor, and writing mentor, employing several search lists to evaluate your manuscript.
It’s a great gift for writers of all levels and can greatly assist in self-editing.
Price: $70 per year
High-Ticket Gift Ideas for Authors
Writers Retreats
One of the most valuable and inspirational gifts for a writer, a retreat can take them to a far-flung destinations to solely focus on their work.
Feedback from an expert in publishing will improve their writing.
Price: $1,000+
Resources:
- https://thewritelife.com/writing-retreats/
- http://www.oneworld365.org/blog/most-inspiring-writers-retreats-in-the-world
Creative Writing Workshops & Courses
An online writing workshop can help writers hone their skills and solve the problems stopping their manuscript from selling.
Find a creative workshop or gift an online writing course on a specific topic like editing or storytelling.
Price: $49 – $1,997+
Professional Editing
A session with a professional editor could save your favorite writer hundreds of hours of writing in the wrong direction and get them feedback on their strengths and weaknesses.
Price: From $350
A Weekend Getaway
Quality writing often comes from having time to process ideas and reflect.
If the writer in your life displays signs of cabin fever, a weekend away might help.
And it doesn’t have to break the bank.
Book them a room at a nice hotel nearby.
Price: From $130
