Gifts for Writers

Sorry for the late post this a.m., but I was busy shopping…for you! 

For many of us, ’tis the season for gift giving and receiving. All families are different, but mine has a favorite phrase this time of year: “What’s on your wish list?” Usually by the time I’ve thought to actually construct a wish list, they no longer have the need for my ideas–which is fine with me! Still, I began musing over what you might find on a writer’s wish list and thought I’d post a few ideas here for those who might a) need them and b) have someone ask, “hey, what do you want this year, anyway?” It’s good to have a few ready answers. Without further blathering, here is WU’s list of gifts for writers!

Check out Shakespeare’s Den for loads of fun possibilities, including Shakespearean “quotesters” (coasters), a Jane Austen necklace, Great Drinkers shot glasses, quills and feather pens, a Great Writers finger puppet set, some fabu mints and so much more.

We love online magnetic poetry, but there are many sets you can buy of these addictive word play novelties and we think they’re great for kick starting your imagination. Check out Magnetic Poetry Haiku, Magnetic Poetry Book Lover or Magnetic Poetry Writer’s Remedy!

How about a subscription to the Visual Thesaurus? Lauded by The New York Times and Washington Post, this unique sensory thesaurus allows you to walk your mind closer and closer to the perfect word choice for you. Try it for free HERE. Speaking of subscriptions, how about one for Publishers Weekly?

Rejection letters got you down? “Put them behind you” with this innovative–if pricey–toilet paper. That’s right, you can send your rejection letters to Lulu.com, and they will imprint your collection of hated words on a roll of toilet paper, so you can express your frustration with the publishing industry to your cheeky self’s content.

If you don’t mind spending a little extra for a nice pen, check out this unique typewriter key pen at Flax Art & Design. (Though for my money, I prefer the handy, dandy Nite-Writer pen . With its surround-tip-lighting, this pen is great for capturing those pit-of-the-night thoughts without waking your spouse!)

There are apparently 5,900 designs for writerly t-shirts and mugs at CafePress.com. I didn’t have time to preview all of them, but there are some fantastic finds here, including this one: “You’re only allowed to bother me if there’s blood, fire or coffee,” and this one: “Murder your darlings.” The site is well worth a visit!

Like games? The Sudoku craze–which I admit nabbed me, too–has given rise to a word-lovers option called Wordoku. There are plenty of books out there, and there’ll soon be a game, too.

Speaking of games, how about Word Spot, or You’ve Been Sentenced? Both should appeal to word aficionados!

When I was perusing the aisles at Barnes & Noble last week, I happened upon a really smart gift idea called “Hold that Thought!” They were lined sticky notes, shaped like mini book marks and meant for people who like to make notes in the margins while reading books. (I admit to doing this often.) Unfortunately, I can’t find a link to this product, but I saw it near the registers in the store. They’re similar to these, I believe. Hopefully interested parties will be able to locate this clever item!

Fill your writer’s bookshelf with gems from our Craft Corner, including Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass, Christopher Vogler’s The Writer’s Journey, Ralph Keyes’ The Writer’s Book of Hope, and more.

How about a lap desk (buying guide HERE) and an AlphaSmart to go on it? We’ve heard great things about the new Neo!

Finally, I have to close by suggesting something Marsha already did: Contribute time or good old cashola to a worthy literacy foundation like one you might find HERE or to Marsha’s favorite, Literacy Austin. There’s no better way to slip into the holiday spirit than by giving, after all.

Write on and enjoy the holidays, everyone!

Therese Walsh

Therese Walsh (she/her) co-founded Writer Unboxed in 2006 and is the site’s editorial director. She was the editor of WU’s only book, Author in Progress, and runs the Writer Unboxed UnConference.

Her second novel, The Moon Sisters, received starred reviews and was named one of the best books of the year by Library Journal and Book Riot.

Learn more about Therese on her website, and sign up for her newsletter to be among the first to hear about any new projects.

www.theresewalsh.com/