Do you have a writer in your life? During the holidays you just don’t know what to get them. Or maybe they have a special day coming up like a birthday, anniversary, or a book release and you want to give them something they will love.
Then this list is for you! It has everything; software, books, inexpensive, unique, and more. I know I found it helpful discovering new things I didn’t have and absolutely need, now.
Unless your writer already owns everything here, then you’re on your own. Good luck, gift giver!
Software Gifts For a Writer
Fictionary
Writing, editing, and revising software. Everything is saved to the cloud. All thirty-eight Fictionary elements give you a place to fill them out or toggle a switch. Line and pie graphs automatically fill out as you fill out the elements for each scene, letting you see your entire story at a glance.
Choice to use AI for filling out elements. Just like a good editor, it never touches your writing. A notes section for keeping track of any issues you find. Fictionary can do so much to enhance the structure of a story.
Audible
Most writers are also readers. With an audible subscription, your writer can get one or more books free a month, including craft books or books in their genre. Doing research and getting inspiration can be done while your writer is busy doing chores, working on the house, or driving.
reMarkable Paper Tablet
While this is technically a physical tablet, I put it under software because it is a way to help kinetic writers get their longform words down without having to organize or lose all their precious papers. Instead, it is backed up straight to the cloud.
Plottr
It is for just what it sounds like. A visual software that lets you drag and drop and add to your heart’s content. When you have a few different subplots and your writer wants to make sure to weave them in seamlessly with the main plot, use Plottr. I like to use it to keep track of timelines and clues or red herrings.
World Anvil
A world building extravaganza that doubles as a story vault. Develop the setting and details of your world down to the history, geography, economics, ecology, etc. There is also space for developing characters. The only thing it doesn’t do is write your story for you.
Word 365
For those writers who like to keep things simple. Write and you can access it in the Overdrive cloud. Word has lots of tools for writing, editing, and even formatting all at your fingertips.
Nuance Dragon Naturally Speaking Software
If your writer is more of a think and speak while they are doing type of person, then this software is for them. Many computers and other software already exist for speak-to-type, but it can be difficult to interpret what was actually said, versus what ended up being typed. This software does a much better job and there will be less revising on the other side.
Scrivener from Literature & Latte
A writing software that lets you keep everything in one place. It has note cards on a cork board for plotting, saving websites for research, templates for discovering your characters or places, and much more.
Campfire
World build, create characters, cultures, maps, timelines. A place for bonus content like cut scenes, short stories, character profiles, and more. Both online and offline reading and writing. It’s also a place to publish and read other’s works.
ProWritingAid
A grammatical software that can also give you possibilities for rephrasing a sentence and feedback on cliches, dialogue, or pacing. It does so much to get a story ready for publishing.
Hemingway Editor
Another grammatical software that helps with all those tricky English rules and readability for the audience.
Grammarly
Another very popular option for grammatical software. It checks your grammar, analyzes for plagiarism, and helps polish your prose.
Inkarnate
A map making software that lets the author build their world, region, city, and more. They could even add it into their published novel.
Atticus
Your author friend can write their book in this software and format into a publishable file. They have templates that will set up your chapter headings, let you import pictures and scene breaks, and set up your margins. When it comes to self-publish this will help your writer friend get it into shape.
Domain Name
Help your author friend set up their own website by buying them a domain name for 1-3 years. A clear and concise domain name is the bee’s knees.
Publisher Rocket
A software that analyzes the book market through genres, keyword searches, category searches, competitors in that genre, Amazon searches, and more.
Craft Books for Writers
There are thousands of books about the writing process out there. Here are the 10 that I would recommend to give as a gift to the writer in your life.
- The Write Novels That Sell Series by Kristina Stanley
- On Writing by Stephen King
- The 3 A.M. Epiphany by Brian Kiteley
- The Emotion Thesaurus (And any other thesaurus by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi)
- Elements of Style (illustrated) by Strunk, White, and Kalman
- How to Write a Novel Using the Snowflake Method by Randy Ingermanson
- Write Great Fiction-Plot Structure by James Scott Bell
- Save the Cat by Jessica Brody
- The Story Grid: What Good Editors Know by Shawn Coyne
- Novel & Short Story Writer’s Market Edited by Amy Jones
Gifts For Aspiring Writers
Noise Cancelling Headphones
For better concentration while writing.
Laptop
A dedicated laptop for writing on the go is the dream of every author-to-be.
The Writer’s Toolbox
This box full of fun by Jamie Cat Callen is full of “right-brain” exercises that will fuel your aspiring writer’s creativity.
The Livescribe Pen
A combination between handwriting and digital documents.
Writers’ Conference or Retreat
New writers can learn a lot going to conferences, but they can be a little pricey for the starving artist. And writers often get caught up in their everyday life and don’t put their writing first, but a retreat can force them to focus and get some writing done.
Ergonomic Desk Chair
Writers spend a lot of time sitting at their computers.
MasterClass Subscription
Another way writers can learn more about their craft that they wouldn’t necessarily splurge for.
External Hard Drive
This way your writer friend will never lose their precious work during a computer crash or other unfortunate incident. Trust me, we’ve all been there.
Healthcare
Since many of us are introverts, one thing us writers are generally bad at is taking good care of ourselves. Yet we need to make videos or have appearances for conventions and book signings, etc. So, consider giving a certificate for a massage, the hair salon, nail salon, a fitness class, or more.
Standing Desk
Writers spend an awful lot of time at their desk. The possibility of standing for a while sounds like a break.
Inexpensive Gifts For Authors
Literary Socks
Who doesn’t want a pair of socks like Dumbledore? Some with favorite literary characters or their quotes can be fashionable.
Perfume
Scents can be inspired by the smell of an old book, new paper, an author, or book titles. There are some marketed for writers.
Bookends
Fun bookends can hold up your writer friend’s published works and craft books.
Novel Teas
Individually bagged teas that have literary quotes on them to inspire your writing.
LED Pen
For those nighttime visits from inspiration.
Motivational Posters or Signs
Being kind is the motto of Fictionary and I have a little sign on my desk, to remind me to “Bee Kind” and other Hive rules. You can buy whatever makes your writer friend happy.
Literary Mugs
Mugs with your writer’s favorite books, quotes, or a motivational phrase like, “Future bestselling author” on it, will give them something fun to look at while they stay hydrated.
Stickers
Cover your notebooks, laptop, etc. with stickers that give you inspiration. From your favorite things, to what inspires your writing more directly, to writing stickers.
Desk Plant
A little extra oxygen for the brain and a pretty plant to view may be just what your writer friend needs on their desk.
Therapy Stress Balls
Squeeze them while you think. Toss them when you get stuck. Use them to exercise your aching fingers and wrists after all that time typing.
Timer
One that counts down, and isn’t distracting for your writer, to use the Pomodoro Technique in getting those writing sprints done.
Laptop Lap Desk
A writer can take their laptop anywhere, but this makes it more comfortable to use on the couch or bed or…
Pens
Don’t underestimate the love of a good pen. I personally favor Papermate felt pens in different colors, and Pentel Energel refillable pens also in various colors. Peek at what you often see your writer friend using or have lying about their house and you’ll find a box is always welcome.
Feather Writing Quill
For writers who love pretty things, like fidgeting with soft feathers, or want to feel like they’ve been swept back into the past.
Story Cubes
If a writer gets stuck on what happens next, they can roll some ideas.
Elegy for a Dead World
If your writer loves video games too, then this would be a great gift for them!
Literary Candles
Set the writing mood.
The Writer Emergency Pack
Twenty-six illustrated cards force you to think about your story in a different way as you dissect your plot, characters, and setting. They can also be used to play a game of storytelling.
Magnetic Poetry Kit
Let your writer friend play fun word games on their fridge, for a dash of creativity.
Vintage Sealing Wax Stamp Maker Kit
So your writer friend can send fancy letters; like one from Hogwarts.
Literary Shirts and Hoodies
Let your writer friend show off their favorite stories, love of books, or that they are a writer.
Lumbar Support Cushion
Again, writers spend a lot of time on the computer.
Literary Games
For a fun night with family or friends, there are a range of board and card games that have to do with books, words, writing, or storytelling.
Powerbank
When your writer friend’s laptop, tablet, or phone runs out of juice, they won’t have to worry about finding an outlet.
Custom Book Embosser
Writers are often mini-librarians and this is a classy way for them to keep track of their books as they lend them out to friends, family, neighbors, random people they recommend the book to, etc.
Blanket
A cozy blanket to keep legs and feet warm while reading, writing, editing, or revising.
Unique Gifts For Writers
Aqua Notes
For those writers who have ideas strike in the shower.
Mini Zen Garden
Writing can be stressful.
Literary Jewelry
Another way to show off your love of story and people who are great at turning a phrase.
Desk Footrest
I don’t think I need to remind you how much time writers spend at their desks.
Kindle
It can be loaded with some of your favorite inspirational books
Messenger Bag
Duck canvas works just fine and is on the cheaper side, but mine is a nice, oiled leather that protects my laptop and journals from the rain and snow, nicely. I always get comments on it when I go out-a-writing.
Typewriter
These are coming back into fashion. Besides, a typewriter could save your life.
KINESIS Freestyle Edge Mechanical Keyboard
Make the keyboard fit your writer’s hands instead of the other way around.
Ergonomic Mouse
Another way to help stave away the dreaded carpel tunnel.
Literary Map
These tools can make a map for an author’s story.
Home Décor
Something that represents the themes or a recurring joke, etc. that is in their story or writing.
Story Art
Commission a portrait or other art from their story and frame it.
Handmade Journals
As writers, we love to scribble down our thoughts and ideas. Nothing beats handmade paper, leather, wraps, keys, and other fun additions to a notebook to make it unique.