giftsWriters are a peculiar bunch. We spend a lot of time in comfy clothes, drinking coffee and typing away in solitude. When it comes to buying gifts for a writer, your choices can feel limited to notebooks, fuzzy socks and book quote mugs, but there are much more clever options available. Our team and authors pulled together to come up with a complete list of gifts to get the writer in your life.

Pelican Marble Fountain Pen

Patricia Minger, author of Magic Flute

I have never been able to think and type at the same time, so for writing long pieces I prefer the feel of a quality pen in my hand. My first fountain pen was a blue plastic Schaeffer. I wrote stories in peacock blue ink when I was 10. My choice in the last few years has been pens by Pelikan, for their weight and the smooth feel on the paper. I love this 205 Blue Marble fountain pen. It is beautiful to look at and has the perfect balance for me. The effortless way it flows across the paper means I can work longer than if I was using a ball point pen, which requires modest force. This gift carries both esthetic and practical appeal. The price is modest for a tool that will last for years. Any writer would be pleased to own such a special pen.

Jane Austen Action Figure

Catherine Lowell, author of The Madwoman Upstairs

It is a truth, universally acknowledged, that every aspiring writer must be in want of a Jane Austen action figure! She’s fierce, she’s brilliant, and she fits right on your bookshelf. You can also add in some other literary heroes (recommended companion for Jane: William Shakespeare).

Make a Donation

Cathryn Novak, author of Size Matters

As a writer, there are any number of things that would give me pleasure as a holiday gift: more books (yes, like most writers I know I am also a voracious reader and I have a whole new group of women writers whose books I want to read); a gift certificate to a local book store (oops, there aren’t any more local bookstores selling new books in my neighborhood); movie passes (for when I want to crawl out of my office and indulge in some non literary escapism,) and …. Then I remember that my book shelves are overflowing, and libraries still exist to provide me with my beloved hard bound copies. I also don’t need any more excuses to procrastinate when it comes to writing.

What I really need is something to bring satisfaction to my soul, and the absolutely best way to do that is for someone to make a donation to one of the charitable organizations which promote goals I strongly endorse. There a number of these but I’ll mention just two: the Theodore Payne Foundation, which champions the use of California native plants and provides classes, information and actual native plants in its on site nursery (http://theodorepayne.org/); and Girls Write Now, a writing and mentoring organization for girls https://www.girlswritenow.org/get-involved/donate/).

Scholarly Stockings

Tamara Lush, author of Tell Me A Story
We writers are a serious bunch. We work alone, hunched over a computer, lost in our fictional worlds and surrounded by lukewarm cups of coffee. But sometimes we want to show our irreverent side.
And we want to look cute.
So, literary tights. That’s right: books, quotes and images printed on adorable opaque tights of different colors. Personally, I one-clicked the Sylvia Plath tights, which has her ‘Mad Girl’s Love Song” poem printed down the thighs and calves, complete with a rose.
You might opt for a Maya Angelou poem for the writer in your life, or a selection from Jane Austen. The Etsy Shop — TightsShop, out of Israel — has a wide selection of literary gems to choose from. They also take custom orders, which means you can take your special writer friend’s prose and turn her words into a fashion statement.

A few ideas from the BookSparks team…

  • Keyboard Waffle Iron Do you spend so much time staring at your keyboard that you start to see it everywhere? Now, you can turn your top writing companion into breakfast food!
  • Antique Typewriter Is there honestly anything more romantic to a writer than a beautiful, authentic typewriter? It may never be used, but it can be insanely motivating and a gorgeous centerpiece to any office.
  • Calligraphy Pen Necklace A fun piece of jewelry is good for anyone, but for writers, a special piece may be in order. This pen pendant is to die for!
  • Hour Glass Elizabeth Gilbert swears by this office must-have. Commit to writing an hour a day and do so with a little old school style in mind. Instead of setting a timer on your phone, flip this beautiful beast and commit to your art.
  • Inspirational Wall Art One thing writers can never have to much of is motivation and inspiration. Get a stunning set of words on a canvas print for the writer in your life.
  • Dragon Dictation If you want to go all in on a big gift for the author in your life, check out Dragon’s Dictation Software. This kind of gift will get the writer in your life out from in front of the screen while helping them continue to pursue their passion.
header-social-oct