You say there’s an author in your life and a holiday is fast approaching? No worries, we’ve got a list for that! For many of these ideas, I’m indebted to brainstorming sessions with my critique-mates and the Mixed-Up Filers.
Books!
At the top of the list, since authors are readers too, you can’t go wrong with something of the printed variety, preferably delivered with the following message: “I got this for you from a local independent bookseller.”
- Reference Materials – How about a nice leatherbound dictionary? Or a dictionary/thesaurus set? For a style guide, many people swear by Strunk & White’s Elements of Style, while others prefer the gold standard that is Merriam-Webster’s Concise Dictionary of English Usage.
- Books About Writing – The usual suspects include On Writing by Stephen King, Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott, as well as the long-awaited Save the Cat! Writes a Novel by Jessica Brody, based on the screenwriting books of Blake Snyder.
- Professional Development – The current year’s Writer’s Market is a definitive guide for finding a book publisher. Also available from Writer’s Digest Books is the Children’s Writer’s & Illustrator’s Market, Poet’s Market, and Guide to Literary Agents.
- Guilty Pleasures – That rare out-of-print edition from their childhood, a signed edition from a favorite author, or an ARC from a promising upcoming title. For author/readers who love Star Wars like I do, Wrapped In A Ribbon has a great list of gift ideas from a galaxy far, far away.
Book Accessories
- Bookends – Just the thing to keep reference materials at your author’s fingertips on the desk as they work.
- Bookmarks – Because dog-earing the corners of a book is a sacrilege.
- Booklights – Authors have many special powers, but seeing in the dark is usually not one of them.
Office Embellishments
- Mini-Fridge – Dorm style!
- Electric kettle or mug warmer – For a beverage that won’t go cold.
- Screen wipes – Because monitors tend to smudge when you bang your forehead against them.
- Wireless keyboard/mouse – Because sometimes you just need to cut the cord.
- Second monitor – Because Facebook and Twitter are less distracting if they have their own space.
- Inspirational Calendar
- Printer/Ink – Those CMYK ink cartridges that are always running out make a practical gift.
- Typewriter – Fun, personal, classy, antique typewriters can still be found in working condition. They are amazing to type on and inspiring to even just gaze upon.
- Wall Art – Whether an inspirational poster or a framed cover, book page, or shadow-boxed paperback.
On the Go
- Notebooks – Big ones, small ones, sketch pads, and a waterproof notebook for ideas that strike in the shower or bath!
- Pens – Fountain pens, gel pens, quill & ink, waterproof, or the huge box of ballpoints that everyone needs.
- Headphones or speakers – If your author compiles a book soundtrack or has a preferred channel of writing music, noise-canceling headphones are a must.
- Laptop stickers – To personalize their writing tools.
- Fidget Spinners – Because for some people, ideas flow best when their hands are distracted.
Software
- Scrivener – A word processing, formating, brainstorming, outlining, and ebook rendering program.
- World Anvil – A browser-based world-building service.
Educational
- MasterClass – I’ve heard good things about the class by Neil Gaiman. Other lecturers include Margaret Atwood, R.L. Stein, Judy Blume, James Patterson…
Ergonomics!
- Comfy Chair
- Bright Lamp
- Footrest
- Standing Desk
- Lumbar Support Cushion
- Carpal Tunnel Supportive Wristpad
Wearables!
- Book-Themed Shirts – I like the designs at Threadless, but there are many others.
- Book-Themed Scarf – This one has text from Jane Austen’s Pride & Prejudice and can be found at storiarts.com
- Book-Themed Jewelry – Lots of fun stuff on Etsy.
- Book-Themed Skirt – One such as can be found at ModCloth.
- Book-Themed Socks – As can be found at Out of Print.
- These Fingerless Gloves Called “Wristies” Which My Critique-Mate Swears By.
Swag!
- Buttons – With their book cover on them
- Stickers – With their book cover on them
- Bookmarks – With their book cover on them
- Business Cards – In a fancy box or card holder? Yes!
Charitable Donation
- A list of book-themed charities compiled by Caroline Bologna includes organizations that promote childhood literacy, make books available to children and communities in need, and bring families together to bond over books. A donation in your author’s name would be a gift that does good.
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Greg R. Fishbone is the founder of Mythoversal, a project dedicated to restoring inclusion, diversity, and equity to classical texts, and Cryptoversal Books, a launchpad for experiments in sustainable Web3 publishing. His latest work is the Wordler Village series of innovative story tokens. Greg lives in New England with his wife, two young readers, and a pair of stubbornly illiterate cats.