Holiday gifts for writers and authors: Here are 29 of the best
Searching for the best holiday gifts for writers and authors? You've found them! Anything on this carefully selected list is sure to delight.
Compiling this list of holiday gifts for writers and authors is one of my favorite things to do.
All year, I save little gems I discover online that I think you’ll love. I also ask members of the Build Book Buzz Book Marketing Group for suggestions. They never disappoint.
The result is a carefully curated* list of affordable suggestions for every author and writer on your list — including you!
Grab a hot beverage, settle in, and start shopping. And be sure to forward this list to people who’d like to buy you a gift you’re certain to enjoy, too.
29 holiday gifts for writers and authors
Click on each product name to get more information. Full disclosure: Some of the selections include affiliate links, which means we receive a small commission on sales but the cost to you is the same. Also, prices are subject to change.
Your favorite gifts for writers and authors are listed in a totally random order. There is absolutely no rhyme or reason to this, but they’re all excellent options.
1. The Book Hookup Themed Subscription Book Box
Starting at $37.50/box
This is the ultimate gift for any book lover — which describes most writers and authors. Each quarter, you’ll receive a first edition of a “highly anticipated” book plus an additional paperback and literary goodies. Select from one of several categories. This is from one of my favorite indie retailers, The Strand Bookstore, but Google will help you find other book subscription boxes, too.
2. More Books Short Sleeve Unisex Tee
$27.99
I’m a customer of this company, Piper & Ivy. It’s a family-owned, eco-friendly, Florida business. I can promise you that its shirts are super soft (just how I like them!). It has a great selection of holiday tees for book lovers. And, for an additional $4.99, you can add a pack of vinyl book stickers to your order. Pretty cool, right? Spend your money with a clothing brand that loves books and reading as much as you do!
3. Read Banned Books Long Sleeve Unisex Tee
$33.99
Confession: I just ordered this Piper & Ivy shirt. In addition to its holiday themed shirts, this site offers lots of book-themed shirts you can wear all year. Buy one for yourself or a friend (or author Pamela Cummins, who suggested book-themed t-shirts for this guide)! (P.S. Save 25% by signing up for its emails.)
4. To-Do List Sticky Notes
$15.99
I’m one of those people who loves to cross things off their to-do list. Does this give you pleasure, too? I didn’t even know these cool sticky notes existed until author Megy Karydes suggested them. Aren’t they the coolest? Amazon offers them in a square size, too, but my to-do lists are loooong so I prefer this format.
5. Fingerless Gloves
$13.99 for 4 pairs
Writer and author Mary Mihaly would like to receive fingerless gloves like these this holiday season. How about you? My home office is toasty, but I know that’s not always the case. If you need a space heater next to your writing space, you need these gloves for typing, too! Add them to your wish list.
6. Stained Glass Stacked Books Lamp
$35.99
Isn’t this a beautiful way to communicate how much you love reading? This is a lovely gift for writers, authors, and all book lovers.
7. Dead Fred Pen Holder
$12
Grab this dude as a stocking stuffer for any writer in your life, but especially for a mystery or thriller writer. I received one as a gift; it makes me smile every day.
8. LEUCHTTURM1917 – Monthly Planner & Notebook 2024 with extra booklet
$29.95
Several authors told me they’d like to receive a planner; this is author Megy Karydes‘ recommendation. It’s available in different colors and sizes. There are several writer-specific planners available as well.
9.
$14.95
10. Book Lover’s Scented Soy Wax Candle
$21.99+
Who doesn’t love the scent of a quality candle burning, especially on a cold winter night? To order this one on Etsy, select your scent (how about lavender vanilla or blackberry jam?) and the size first.
11. “Chapter One” and “The End” earrings
$13.66
These stainless steel, hypo-allergenic earrings are back by popular demand. Get a pair for yourself and a friend.
12. ConvertKit Creator annual plan
30% off through Cyber Monday
ConvertKit is my email marketing service provider because it’s designed specifically for creators like us, is easy to use, and provides excellent tech support and customer service. The company also offers free training for its customers, something I take advantage of, and a steady flow of helpful e-mail marketing information. I highly recommend it.
13. Scriveiner Ballpoint Pen
$31.99
This exquisite pen is on author Candy Harrington’s gift list and now that I’ve seen it, it’s on mine, too. Don’t worry about it running out of ink; you can buy refills.
14. YETI Rambler 20 oz Travel Mug
30% off right now, $21
I normally include a coffee mug with a cheeky message but let’s face it: We all have enough coffee mugs, don’t we? Let’s elevate that hot boverage experience with this thermal version! I received this as a gift and love, love, love it. Use it at home or at your favorite coffee shop (just pour your beverage into it and sip while you work!). (Hitting the road? I have this one, too, and it keeps beverages hot for hours!). I especially like that there are many color options.
$29
Every author needs a copy of this form that helps readers write those all-important reader reviews on Amazon, Goodreads, and other retail and review sites. Authors are calling this “the missing link” for reader reviews. There’s one for fiction and another for nonfiction; get both at a discount.
16. Book Lover Earrings
$9.99 (sale price)
I discovered these through an Instagram ad and knew you had to have them! Aren’t they the cutest? And because the books are multi-colored, you can wear these with almost any outfit.
17. Library Card Socks
$9.99
Who doesn’t need (or want!) book socks? I love these library socks because they’re a subtle way to support our libraries, but this company also offers a “good friends/good books” pair, a No. 2 pencil design, and a pair with a Jane Austen quote.
18. ProWritingAid
50% off through November 30
ProWritingAid, one of the most popular writing aids for authors, is offering 50% off premium lifetime or yearly plans for Black Friday and Cyber Monday. There’s also a free version to try before you decide to upgrade to the more substantial paid version. One writer told me, “Without it, I find it very difficult to locate all the little things, like split infinitives, comma splices, and variations in spelling between the UK and the U.S.”
19. Libro Audiobook sale
Books on sale through November 27, credit bundles starting at $30 are 10% off December 5-7
I love buying audiobooks from Libro because the company splits profits with indie bookstores. That means I can support my local bookstore every time I make a purchase. Many best-sellers are on sale now through November 27; audibook credit bundles will be 10% off December 5 to December 7.
20. No Such Thing as Too Many Books Tote
$12.99
There’s also no such thing as too many tote bags, which makes this a great gift for the writers and book lovers in your life.
There are lots of other book-lover tote options, too. Just use the search box.
21. Book Marketing Coaching
$150
Give yourself the gift of advice by purchasing an hour of my time to work through your book marketing issues. Most authors consult with me to identify marketing opportunties and priorities for their specific book because they know book marketing isn’t one-size-fits-all.
22. Time
$0
I know that novelist Cynthia Swanson spoke for many when she said, “Anything you can do for a writer to give them more time to write is the greatest gift possible. Babysit their kids, bring them a meal, buy them a night in a hotel room so they can hole up and write for 24 hours, all alone.” And it won’t cost you a thing.
23.
$12.05
Some people swear by vision boards, saying that daily reminder of where they want to go helps get them there. Why not create one for your book? My friend Marcia Layton Turner‘s guide to vision boards is probably the best resource for this on the market. UPDATED November 28, 2023: Marcia is hosting a free vision board class on January 11, 2024 at 7 p.m. ET. Register here.
24. Future Bestselling Author Notebook
$5.99
I’m a big believer in the power of positive thinking. This is the most perfect gift for that. It’s 150 blank pages, but it’s exactly what you need to see when you sit down to write.
25. Lined Index Cards on a Ring
$13.99
So many writers and authors capture and organize their thoughts and words on index cards. That’s why author Jen Dodrill added lined index cards on a ring to her holiday wish list. This collection seemed to be the best value, but there are other options, including just white cards.
26. Writing Dice
$19.75
Overcome writer’s block with nine dice yielding thousands of combinations.
27. Affirmators! Creativity Deck
$13.71
Confession: This might be my favorite item on this list. I think that writers, more than anyone else, suffer from “imposter’s syndrome.” Every time you begin to doubt your ability while writing anything, whether it’s an article, a blog post, or a book chapter, pull a card from this deck with 50 affirmations. You deserve this support!
28. Noise-Cancelling Headphones
$49.95 (Black Friday 50% off sale price)
This is the ultimate gift for writers working in any public location or distracted at home by TV or family noise. And think of how much more you’ll enjoy audiobooks without the rest of the world intruding!
29. Indie Bookstore Gift Card
Starting at $10
Support local independent bookstores by buying store gift cards for all the writers and readers on your list. Using Bookshop.org for this option lets your recipient give their local indie retailer purchase credit. Even better: Purchase a gift card for a local writer or reader directly from your local bookseller directly.
Phew! That’s quite a list isn’t it? But let’s expand it!
What gifts for writers and authors would you like to receive this holiday season? Please tell us in a comment!
*This year’s most over-used word.
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Loved this list, Sandy! I’ve been looking for fingerless gloves, not just for typing in winter but also for reading at night ( hands get cold holding my books). And the book lover earrings and the stained glass lamp are beautiful. Thanks for hunting and gathering for us.
You’re welcome, Ana! You and I definitely have similar taste! I’m still pondering where in my house I might put that stained glass lamp if I bought it….
Happy holidays!
Sandy