It’s gift-giving season, and if you’re like me, you may be thinking about picking up a little something for a writer who has really been in your corner this year. They helped you so much, and you want to show your appreciation, but life has gotten so expensive. How do you say thank you AND stick to your budget?
Don’t worry, friend…I have a list of ways you can send along a gift that will be appreciated…and cost you only time or a bit of pocket change.
Free Gifts for Writers
Taking a few moments to do something kind is a great way to show your writer friends some love. Here are some ideas…
An encouraging note.
Sometimes the only thing that keeps us going is a kind word at just the right time. A Facebook post. An email. Public or private, let someone know how much you have enjoyed their friendship, insight, online companionship, writing, etc. Tell them they make a difference in your life, and you’re so glad you get to share the writing road with them.
A beta read or chapter critique.
Feedback is something we all need, but it can be hard to ask for it. So, if there’s someone who has really helped and supported you, why not tell them you’d like to gift them a beta read or critique? You can even create a certificate like this one here using a free Canva account.
A book review.
If you’re like me, your time is constantly being swallowed by other things. If book reviews are something you always mean to get around to doing but forget, take a few moments to visit the books you love and leave some words on Amazon or other e-tailers. It helps so much. Then tag the author online so they know!
The gift of visibility.
All writers are trying to get exposure for their blog and books. If you’ve read someone’s book and enjoyed it, review it. Then go a step further and visit Amazon and upvote positive reviews. This helps them ensure the best reviews rise to the top. This is especially important if they have 1-star reviews for things outside their control, like the fact that a book arrived damaged, the buyer didn’t read the back jacket copy, and so ended up getting a story they didn’t expect, or left a review even though they didn’t read the book. These things happen, and there’s little an author can do.
A website audit!
Websites are a bit like that spare bedroom you never go into…when too much time passes, they can become a dusty, stagnant mess.
Sure, we always mean to scour it for typos, find the broken links, and update that bio from the early 2000’s, but do we? Um, maybe not. So be a good writerly friend and offer to do a website audit. Click links to see what’s broken, look for out-of-date information, note missing social media links, wacky formatting, or other problems that come with owning a digital space. Trust me, your writer friend will thank you!
A free writing course.
A free writing course? Heck, yes! Be sure to pass on this link to your writer friend so they can enroll in a free course with writing expert Lucy V. Hay of Bang2Write!
A Show-Don’t-Tell Pro Pack.
We’ve put together a Show-Don’t-Tell Pro Pack that contains a sample entry from all our writing guides, plus helpful tips and links to some of our best show-don’t-tell articles.
If you know someone who struggles with description, this will get them thinking differently about what they should describe and why.
Low-Cost Gifts for Writers
If you don’t mind spending a little, here are some top picks.
(may contain affiliate links, but we stand behind all these suggestions)
James Scott Bell’s Write from the Middle writing guide ($4.99).
This is a thoughtful digital gift for any writer who struggles at the midpoint of a novel.
My favorite “mini-guide” from Jim, hands down.
K.M.Weiland’s Creating Character Arcs writing guide ($6.69).
All of Katie’s books are great, but I am particularly fond of this one because so many writers struggle with character arcs. This one digs into what they are and how to create them in a straightforward way.
A Special, “Just for Writers” Etsy Gift
Avery Olive creates a ton of wonderful things for writers – custom stickers for laptops, door hangers, book ornaments, swag, and more, many of which are under $5 each. Check out her store.
A One Stop for Writers Subscription
Becca and I love helping writers put their best fiction on the page. One Stop for Writers houses our most powerful resources, helping creatives plan, write, and revise their way to publish-ready novels.
The tools at One Stop teach writers how to think like experts so their characters are lifelike, plots are fresh, and their story worlds are so real that readers won’t want to leave them.
So if you want to invest in your creative goals, or know someone else who needs a toolbox that makes the writing process easier, come check out our affordable One Stop for Writers subscriptions!
Need more ideas?
Think about something you need and would love to be gifted this holiday season. Chances are, what appeals to you will also appeal to others.
Angela is a writing coach, international speaker, and bestselling author who loves to travel, teach, empower writers, and pay-it-forward. She also is a founder of One Stop For Writers, a portal to powerful, innovative tools to help writers elevate their storytelling.