Gifts for Writers (That Skip the Supply Chain)

By now, you’ve probably read a few news reports about how the pandemic has disrupted the supply chain, and that it may impact shoppers this holiday season.

Those of us in the writing industry wonder if Christmas book orders will be printed and delivered in time, especially when there’s word of paper shortages and other supplies needed to create books. These worries prompted us to post our Books for Writers Gifting List at the start of November…so people wanting print copies could shop early if they wished to.

I like to be optimistic and hopeful, so my fingers are crossed we’ll weather things okay. But the “be prepared” side of Angela’s brain says maybe it would be wise to have a list of gift ideas that won’t be affected by a sluggish supply chain…just in case. So, if worry-free shopping sounds good to you, consider one of these stellar gifts:

The Hot Sheet

FACT: Jane Friedman is a publishing industry treasure. With over 20 years in publishing (including time at Writer’s Digest and the Virginia Quarterly Review), Jane knows the industry, where it’s headed, and how to help writers navigate it. In addition to being a regular speaker at publishing’s largest events and running an award-winning blog, Jane produces The Hot Sheet.

This biweekly newsletter contains all the news, trends, and market analysis a writer needs to keep up with a changing publishing industry. Talk about a great gift ($59/year).

A Writing for Life Workshop

Writing is one career where there’s always more to learn, and the trick is to find the right people to learn from. C.S. Lakin is the editor of our Thesaurus Guides and her courses help a lot of writers.

If you would like to give someone the gift of knowledge, here’s her list of workshops.

A Margie Lawson Writer’s Academy Gift Certificate

If you know the name Margie Lawson then you’ll know why this makes my list. Margie is an incredible teacher and has a gift for showing writers how to power their writing with emotion. She and her many instructors at Lawson Writer’s Academy teach on all aspects of writing craft, so the person you buy a gift certificate for will have a wealth of courses to choose from.

A Writer’s Digest Magazine Subscription

There’s something inspiring about getting a magazine every month that’s full of inspiration, success stories, new markets, and insider tips, so consider a Writer’s Digest Magazine subscription.

You can buy it in print, or digital.

The Hero’s Two Journey’s Video Set

It’s no secret Angela and Becca have a professional crush on Michael Hague. His storyteller’s brain helped then achieve a giant lightbulb moment, and so they want to see that for you, too.

One of our favorite learning tools is the Hero’s Two Journeys, a video series with Hollywood Story Experts Michael Hauge & Chris Vogler. This video collection makes a great gift ($39).

The Character Trait Bundle

Some of you might be squinting at the screen, wondering how you missed the news that there’s a digital Character Trait Thesaurus book bundle! It might be because this bundle is exclusively available through our Writers Helping Writers bookstore ($9.98).

It contains both the Positive Trait and Negative Trait Thesaurus volumes, which have been cross-linked. This means if one book mentions a trait listed in the other, you can travel right to that entry. Talk about handy when writers are brainstorming character personalities and planning friction-rich relationships!

A 1-Hour Consult with Mark Leslie

Being an author these days means we have to know a ton about things that have nothing to do with writing. Navigating different publishing platforms, price points, sales strategies, and the ‘go wide or not’ question can be overwhelming. Authors with lackluster sales can start to feel dejected and wonder if the effort is worth it, which is why an industry expert consult is on our list.

Mark Leslie has vast experience in the industry, and there’s a wealth of knowledge about book selling and mastering different publishing platforms in that wonderful brain of his. Mark likes nothing better than to help writers succeed (and he’s one of the nicest guys you’ll ever meet), so if you know an author who is struggling, consider getting them a 1-hour consult ($99).

A Scribophile Premium Membership

Writers succeed better together, which is why being part of a community can be such a powerful boost. Creating requires a lot of mental energy, and we can doubt ourselves along the way. A Scribophile Premium Membership Gift Certificate means a writer you know can benefit from story feedback, fellowship, and the knowledge they need to help them succeed!

A Massage!

Writers spend looooong hours sitting at a desk, and this means neck pain, back pain, shoulder pain…you name it. A massage gift certificate will be well-received.

If the writer you want to send a gift to is someone you know virtually, don’t worry. Just find out what city they live in and head over to Groupon. You can choose a gift certificate for a massage or other pampering service that’s local to them (and usually save a lot in the process). I’ve gifted these before – writers deserve some pampering.

A One Stop for Writers Subscription

Crafting a fresh, engaging story is a lot of hard work, but it can be much easier with the right resources. This is where One Stop for Writers comes in. It contains an arsenal of ground-breaking tools that help writers write stronger fiction faster…and they grow their writing skills as they do it. And if a writer needs step-by-step guidance, our Storyteller’s Roadmap is a writer’s GPS for planning, writing, and revising their way to a best-selling novel.

Gift certificates range from 1-month ($11) to 6-months ($60) to a year ($105).

I hope you find some good ideas on this list. It’s always nice to give a writing-focused gift because it shows the person we support their passion and want to see them succeed.