I enjoy scouring the interwebs for the best gifts EVER for authors and writers. Lately, I’ve been doing this with a real wood fire in the fireplace and a Hallmark movie on TV. It’s my kind of research.

I’ve found some real gems this year. Whether you’re shopping for yourself, a writer pal, or someone in your writing group, you’re sure to find something at the right price point in this carefully crafted list.

And hey, if you use or enjoy something that would make a great holiday gift for an author or writer, tell us about it in a comment. There’s nothing better than a firsthand recommendation.

Your best gifts EVER for authors and writers

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. To keep it simple, presume they all have affiliate links. Also, prices are subject to change (I’ve seen changes in 48 hours!). 

1. Writer Emergency Pack

Writer’s Digest describes this as, “Your portable tool for story resuscitation (or simply creativity rejuvenation).”

$19

2. Reader Book Review Form

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. There’s one for fiction and another for nonfiction.

$9

3. Writer’s Mug

I love this one! It makes me think of so many talented writers I know.

$10.50

4. Future Bestselling Author T-shirt

Advertise your optimism! This comes in men’s, women’s, and youth sizes. Type “future bestselling author” into Amazon’s search box to find more design options, too.

$16.99

5. Typewriter Keychain

Let the “write every day” message stamped into the copper disk below the typewriter remind you to do that.

$12

6. First Lines of Literature Mug

Because this mug features 24 opening lines of some of the greatest works of literature, you can procrastinate by guessing which books they’re from. (You’re welcome.)

$15.95

7. The Nonfiction Book Publishing Plan: The Professional Guide to Profitable Self-Publishing

I’m a big fan of Stephanie Chandler’s books, including this one. The Nonfiction Book Publishing Plan is loaded with proven strategies, real-world examples, and fascinating interviews with successful authors.

$2.99 Kindle, $19.66 print

8. Self-Publishing Blueprint Power Bundle

If you want someone to walk you through the “how-to-self-publish-your-book” process, you’ll enjoy this course. It’s in-depth training that includes several supplemental program.s

$197

9. Infinity Love Books Bracelet

Don’t be shy. Share your feelings on your wrist.

$10.90

10. Cocktails for Book Lovers

This collection features 50 original and classic cocktail recipes based on works of famous authors and popular drinks of their eras. Wish I had thought of it.

$9.59 Kindle, $11.99 print

11. Standing Desk Alternative

12. Freelance Writer Planner

I’m pretty excited about this new product specifically for freelance writers from my planner-obsessed bestie, Marcia Layton Turner. I’m getting this for myself.

$27

13. Bookish Socks

Ohmygosh, these are SO cute! The pair pictured says, “There is no friend as loyal as a book,” but click through the thumbnail images on the product page to find, “My book club reads between the wines.”

$914. I Love Books Tote Bag

Any writer or author will be proud to tote their books and anything else in this medium-sized, polyester tote. Note there are four color options and fine print near the bag’s bottom.

$19.95

15. 365 Daily Book Marketing Tips

Let me give your author a book marketing tip every day for a year via email — for just 99 cents for the entire year! It’s the gift that keeps giving.

$.99 (yes, 99 cents for all 365 tips)

16. Jane Austen Book Bag

Any of Jane Austen’s Bennet girls would be proud to carry this leather bag made in a shape of Pride and Prejudice.

$130 and up, depending on size17. Book Earrings

These small earrings for “Chapter One” and “The End” make it clear that the person wearing them loves to read and write books.

$13.28 

18. Subscription to Online Course Platform Teachable

I’m a huge fan of Teachable, a super easy-to-use online course platform. I’ve got a few courses up there now, and will be moving more there soon. If teaching an online course is in your future, you owe it to yourself to create an account there. (Link updated 11/23 to Black Friday deal good through 11/26)

Pricing varies based on plan and monthly vs. annual payment (there is a free option)

19. Original Writer Patent Prints

These four prints showing patents filed between 1896 to 1938 are perfect for any writer’s work space. The original patent artwork has been reinterpreted by award-winning artist Norm Lanier. Sold without frames.

$17.99

20. Literary Tea Box

Select five mini packs of literary loose teas of your choice. Options range from Daphne du Maurier (love her!) to F. Scott Fitzgerald.

$25.56 or $28.55 with tea tong infuser

21. Book Cover Key Chains

Your author friend will love seeing his book cover attached to a glass charm on a key ring. It’s a classy giveaway for book signings and other events.

Prices start at 10 for $29.75

22. The Writer’s Block Book

I’m a sucker for gimmicky writer’s block gifts — even a block of wood — as a gift because people get it. This one is a real two-fer, though. It’s helpful advice packaged in a visual gimmick. With 672 pages promising 786 ideas to jumpstart your imagination, how can you go wrong when giving this as a gift?

$11.66

23. Hemingway Pencil Cup

This could be my favorite because it’s just clever. It’s perfect for anyone who learned how to type on a typewriter!

$19.49

24. Library Card Socks

People loved these when I included them a few years ago, so I’m bringing them back. Click through the thumbnail images for color options and to find the “banned books” socks, too.

$7.98-$15.00

25. Edgar Allen Poe Secular Saint Candle

The perfect gift for the mystery writer (or reader) on your list. Click through the thumbnail images for more options.

$13.95

26. John Steinbeck Candle

This one is perfect for the author who writes on the side, but ends up burning both ends of the candle. (Get it?)

$21.93

27. Printed Author Materials

Authors love giving away bookmarks, mailing postcard announcements, and passing out business cards. Make it possible for the author in your life with a Moo gift card to apply to any product order.

Price = what you want to spend with $10 minimum

But, wait! There’s more!

Get more great holiday gift ideas in our earlier gift guides, “Gifts for authors and writers: 25 perfect, hand-picked ideas” and “32 gifts for writers and authors.”

You’re certain to find the right gift in any of these three comprehensive gift guides.

Now it’s your turn! What author-related gift do you want to receive? What gift would you recommend to our readers? Tell us in a comment. 

Holiday gift guide topics vary, but typical headlines include “10 last-minute gifts for under $20,” “The best gifts for cooks,” and “What to buy the person who has everything.”

Many authors notice these and email me to ask, “How can I get my book included in a holiday gift guide this year?”

Here are three ways to do that.

1. Propose a “roundup” of books in a specific category or genre.

A “roundup” article usually gathers up the best, worst, most, least, newest, top, funniest, etc. products related to a specific category or theme.

Here are a few ideas for book roundups — use them to think about what might work best for your book:

• Best books for runners
• Favorite instant pot cookbooks
• Most popular new novels
• Best books for getting fit in the new year
• Top books for entrepreneurs
• Favorite books for early readers
• YA novels everyone’s talking about
• New diet craze books

Pitch a roundup to specific, targeted media outlets using the instructions in “How to pitch a roundup article.”

To get your idea picked up by multiple media outlets, write and distribute a press release announcing your gift idea, instead.

Write your press release as if it’s a newspaper article — no hype, no superlatives, no selling. List the books you recommend for the gift guide, making sure to add yours near the top. Include a short description of each book.

Use a press release distribution service to reach as many relevant media outlets as possible with your press release. Here’s an affiliate link for my favorite service, eReleases.

If you don’t know how to write a pitch letter or a press release, you’ll appreciate the templates for each plus actual samples in Build Book Buzz Publicity Forms & Templates.

2. Propose a gift roundup built around a topic or theme.

Even I publish one. It’s my almost-annual gifts for writers and authors post.

The umbrella concept you select might be built around a budget, hobby, profession, the recipient’s age, or your book’s theme. Ideas to get you thinking include:

• Best gifts for soon-to-be or recent retirees
• 10 must-have gifts for under $20
• Holiday gifts for health nuts
• 10 kitchen essentials for foodies
• Favorite gifts for the newly-engaged
• Top teen holiday gifts

Follow the pitching instructions in point 1 above — either send an email with your idea to specific media outlets, or write and distribute a press release for wider exposure.

3. Subscribe to Help a Reporter Out — HARO — and respond to gift suggestion queries from journalists.

HARO is a free daily email service that connects journalists with sources.

The 800,000-plus people who use it receive three e-mails a day loaded with queries from journalists who describe what they’re looking for in a source and why.

In November and December, you’ll start to see queries for holiday gift guides. If you make the effort to scan those emails for these opportunities, you might get your book into a gift guide pretty easily.

The trick to getting selected as a source — all of which you don’t pay for — is responding to the right queries appropriately. Learn how to do that in my online course, “Get Quoted: A Journalist’s Strategies for Using HARO to Snag Book Publicity.”

It takes just a few minutes each day to scan the emails for gift guides that could be a good fit for your book.

It’s a more passive approach than making a direct pitch to just the right media outlet or sending out a press release, but it’s easier and takes less time. Just be certain to respond only to those gift guide queries that truly are a good fit for your book.

Respond promptly, too. Journalists who receive more responses than they need tend to accept those that come into their inbox first.

Finally on that point, read the entire request and follow the instructions carefully.

Promote your book as the perfect holiday gift this year

Make getting your book into a media outlet’s holiday gift guide a priority this year.

Whether it’s a blog, an online magazine, or a printed newspaper, your book will enjoy the boost that publicity always brings.

Has your book appeared in a gift guide? Please leave a comment telling us how it happened.