20 Gifts for Writers, Holiday 2015 Edition

For the past couple years I’ve picked out a plethora of fun holiday gift ideas for your favorite writer and bibliophile (in other words, for YOU). This year I’ve asked some kidlit elves to assist with the merry-making. Let the wish list commence! (Thanks to author-cartoonist Steve Barr for the graphic!)

THE STORYTELLING ANIMAL by Jonathan Gottschall
picked by Mark Ury, CEO and Cofounder of Storybird

Mark: “Why do we feel the need to create stories? Possibly because we—and everything around us—are made of stories, something Gottschall points out in this slim but evocative book. Storytelling is the fabric of the mind and, as writers, it’s refreshing to remember that telling tales keeps us whole—and stops us from unraveling.”

Purchase Link via Indiebound

BIG MAGIC by Elizabeth Gilbert
picked by author-illustrator Arree Chung

Arree: “If you’re like me, you have a love-hate relationship with your creativity. You love words, art, stories and design. You are curious and have creative ideas that you want to bring to life. It’s exciting. But you also hate your creativity at times. You feel stuck, dread having to start over or may not be happy with your level of success. At these times, your curiosity can feel more like a curse than a blessing.

“Elizabeth Gilbert’s “Big Magic” is a refreshing perspective on how to think about and cultivate creativity. She discusses the idea that ideas are entities—needing a partner to work with to be borne. Elizabeth addresses the challenges of living a creative life and offers insightful approaches to get the most of your creativity.”

Purchase Link via Indiebound

DOODLING FOR BOOKWORMS by Gemma Correll
picked by Tara

Tara: “Doodling is the perfect exercise for getting the creative mojo flowing, even if you can’t draw well. There’s something about the freedom of the doodle—the “no rules here” attitude—that lets your mind explore absurd and absorbing possibilities.”

Purchase link via The Literary Gift Company

THE DODO CASE
picked by author-illustrator Elizabeth Rose Stanton

Elizabeth: “I was first introduced to The Dodo Case by my talented author/illustrator pal and critique group (The Whatsits) buddy, Ben Clanton. I thought Ben had a little book in his hand, but it was his iPhone! Up until I saw these, I never bothered with a case. I fell in love with them. They turn your iPhone into a little book! What could be better? Now when we have our crit group meetings, Ben and I have to be careful not to mix up our phones! The cases are handmade in San Francisco.”

Purchase link via DodoCase.com

TRUGLIDE DUO STYLUS/FELT TIP PEN
picked by author-illustrator Vanessa Brantley-Newton

Vanessa: “Hello PiBo Peeps, it’s holiday time again and you’re running around like the holiday turkey with it’s head cut off trying to find the perfect gift for the illustrator/artist person in your life! Well with all the wonderful things out to get them like super-duper expensive watercolor paper, or the awesome Cintque that will set you back about 2k or more, why not get them something that they will love and use and that will keep you out of the poor house. Like this awesome TruGlide Microfiber Tip 2-in-1 combo for the new iPad, iPad Mini and iPhone. This thing is awesome!!! I love it. Has really nice control and precision. Easy to carry and at a smart price too. Under $35! How about that? They will love you for it! Available at Amazon! Run don’t walk—go now!! Oh Merry Christmas everyone!”

Purchase Link via Amazon.

WOOD WORDS
picked by author Elizabeth Bluemle, co-owner of The Flying Pig Bookstore

Elizabeth: “Handmade wooden words (double sided) in a bamboo box. The best procrastination tool around, because it’s creative and the little wooden words are so satisfying to play with.”

Purchase link via Magnetic Poetry

 
WINDSOR PROSE WRITING SET
picked by Tara

Tara: “Writing is an art…and this gorgeous set of writing tools reminds us that every word should be beautifully crafted.”

Purchase link via Brass Binnacle

 
LIBRARY DUE DATE CARD T-SHIRT
picked by author Josh Funk

Josh: “I’m gonna go with the library card T-shirt, ’cause when you walk into the library wearing it, no librarian will be able to resist you! (Or they might assess you a late fee.)”

Purchase link via Etsy seller Shop Just Wish

PERSONAL LIBRARY KIT
picked by author & poet Kelly Fineman

Kelly: “I chose this nifty kit because, like most writers I know, I always dreamed of running my own library when I was a kid. I see this as the perfect gift for anyone with a home library, and for a lot of kids I know who wish they could be a librarian as well.”

Purchase link via The Library Store

CUSTOM EMBOSSER/SEAL AND STICKERS
picked by agent Marietta Zacker of the Nancy Gallt Literary Agency

Marietta: “I am a big fan of embossers (and funny enough, one my clients (Dana Alison Levy) sent me one for the holidays this year!!). For the many of us who are constantly lending out books, it’s good to have a stamp that reminds friends and family members where the book need be returned once it’s been read! Besides, it’s so much fun to emboss a page in the book—classy, reliable, and effective! Perfect for every writer (who, inevitably, is also a reader!!!).”

Purchase link via Etsy seller CustomDesignsbyJill

SPIRAL WALL CLOCK
picked by author Shutta Crum

Shutta: “Time is a tricky little devil. Just when you think you’ve got a leisurely afternoon to get some writing done, it snickers at you and runs off. And then you wonder where the heck did time go? The next day is the same, and the one after that. And everything you planned to do ‘some day’ never seems to get done. I like this clock because it’s a constant reminder of how time keeps spiraling away, down some universal drain at the center of one’s life . . . and there will be no future good time to finally write that book you’ve always wanted to write. It has to be NOW. Now is the only time to put one’s butt in the chair and write. Each day, we writers need to wrestle old Devil Time down and make it do our bidding. And it’s not a battle you win once. It’s a battle with that trickster every day, and simply part of the job of being a writer. Looking at this clock is a reminder that writers are also time warriors.”

Purchase link via Cafe Press

GLOBE BOOK LAMP
picked by Tara

Tara: “This Etsy artist turns books into light you can read by. I love the variety of shapes and would like to have one in my office. But first, I need an actual office.”

Purchase link via Etsy seller BomDesignNL

BANNED BOOKS MORPH MUG
picked by Tara

Tara: “The black smudges concealing titles of banned books disappear once you fill this mug with the hot cuppa of your choice. An ingenious way to remind you that it’s time to refill!”

Purchase link via Uncommon Goods

“THE END” SLIPPERS
picked by Tara

Tara: “Two words every writer is striving toward. Plus, we also like warm feet.”

Purchase link via Stubbs & Wootton

ELECTRIC HEATED FOOT WARMER
picked by Tara 

Tara: “Speaking of warm feet and not having an office, I often write in my kitchen at the bay window. With the ceramic tile floor and three windows, my feet get really chilled in the winter. I therefore covet this foot covering. Freezing tootsies make for terrible stories.”

Purchase link via Amazon.

VINTAGE BOOK, TEA & STATIONERY SUBSCRIPTION
picked by Tara

Tara: “Homina, homina, homina.”

Purchase link via Not on the High Street

LASER PROJECTION KEYBOARD
picked by Tara

Tara: “Now you can write anywhere with any Bluetooth-enabled device. Better than a hoverboard!”

Purchase link via Uncommon Goods

SCAPPLE SOFTWARE
picked by Tara

Tara: “Like mind-mapping software, but not as complicated, Scapple allows writers to make free-form connections between ideas. It’s like scribbling on a piece of paper with arrows darting here and there…except now you won’t run out of room…or lose that haphazard-brilliant outline.”

Purchase link via Literature and Latte

Q&A A DAY FOR CREATIVES: A FOUR-YEAR JOURNAL
picked by Tara

Tara: “Keep your PiBoIdMo fire aflame all year long!”

Purchase link via Barnes & Noble

DRAWING WORDS AND WRITING PICTURES PRINT by Carolyn Fisher
picked by Tara

Tara: “Remember, as a writer you’re also an artist. The creative process is never a straight line. This original artwork by Carolyn Fisher reminds us of this…plus it’s just cool to stare at.”

Purchase Link via Society6

There are plenty more gift ideas on my Pinterest board THINGS WRITERS LIKE. So go take a peek!

Thanks to all the gift contributors!

I hope you get just what you wish for this holiday season!

A very happy and merry to you all!