The ultimate gift guide for writers from paranormal author Jami Gold

Writing and Publishing-Related Workshops or Courses

§ A weekly course with Brian. Details of classes starting in January here.

§ A gift certificate for a workshop with Brian. Just $44. Email brianhenry@sympatico.ca

§ See a list of all the weekly classes and Saturday workshops coming up here.

(Jami Gold had forgotten to add these items, so I added them myself.)

Stocking Stuffers

§  Snack foods for keeping up energy

§  Fingerless gloves (type and have warm fingers)

§  Timer for writing sprints

§  AquaNotes waterproof notepads (for shower ideas—yes, these really work!)

§  Pens 

§  Pencils/mechanical pencils

§  Notepads (various sizes for purse, nightstand, car, etc.)

§  Highlighters (for Margie-Lawson-style editing)

§  Stamps with various messages 

§  Randomizers like Rory’s Story Cubes 

For Writers Who Outline

§  Note (index) cards

§  Notebooks (many writers prefer plain spiral or steno pads over fancy, leather-bound books—those are too pretty to use *smile*)

§  Ugly writing journal (so we’re not tempted to “save” it) (suggested by Daniel Swensen)

§  Corkboard

§  Pushpins

§  Whiteboard

§  Dry erase markers and eraser

Technology Helpers

§  Programs like Scrivener (Windows and Mac) for organizing and word processing

§  Dragon Naturally Speaking (options at Amazon) for voice recognition-driven writing 

§  Latest version of favorite word processing program

§  Software for self-publishing (image editing, ebook formatting, etc.)

§  Flash drive for backups

§  Typing program (learn to type faster!)

§  More memory for computer

§  Bigger hard drive for computer

§  Wireless/ergonomic keyboard or mouse

§  Virtual keyboard for mobile use

§  Mini voice recorder

Big Ticket Items

§  New computer/laptop

§  Bigger/second computer monitor

§  Printer

§  eReader or eTablet (Kindle/Kindle Fire, iPad, Android tablet, etc.)

§  Ergonomic desk chair

§  Cover design or editing costs for self-published authors

Writing Craft and Publishing-Related Books & Tools

§  The Thesaurus books by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi (The Emotion Thesaurus, The Positive Trait Thesaurus, and The Negative Trait Thesaurus)

§  Save the Cat by Blake Snyder

§  Story Engineering by Larry Brooks

§  Hooked by Les Edgerton

§  The Power of Point of View by Alicia Rasley

§  My Story Can Beat Up Your Story by Jeffrey Alan Schechter

§  Wired for Story by Lisa Cron

§  The Observation Deck by Naomi Epel

Miscellaneous Suggestions

§  Gift basket full of writing-related ideas (pens, notebooks, special beverage and glass, inspirational items or quotes, etc.)

§  Gift cards for books 

§  Gift cards for office supply stores

§  Fun reader/writer-type gifts (“Careful, or you’ll end up in my novel” mug,“gifts for writers,” The Literary Gift Company, etc.)

§  Canisters of favorite coffee or hot chocolate 

§  Tea or other writing beverage 

§  Totem for a muse (figurine, stuffed animal, etc.) 

§  High-quality printer paper for queries/submissions 

§  Printer ink 

§  Subscription to music source (Pandora, Spotify, Grooveshark, etc.)

§  Premium level of online service (Dropbox for automatic backups, Amazon Prime for free shipping/lending library, etc.)

§  Entry fee for a writing contest

§  Massage gift certificates

§  Back or foot massager 

§  Comfort clothes (robe and fuzzy slippers)

§  Writing time (anything from babysitting to a writers’ retreat)

§  Housecleaning services (especially during deadlines)

Check out Jami Gold's website here. 

Thanks to Diana Thomas for drawing this gift list to my attention. – Brian

See my schedule here, including writing workshops and creative writing courses in Barrie, Brampton, Bolton, Burlington, Caledon, Cambridge, Georgetown, Guelph, Hamilton, Kingston, London, Midland, Mississauga, Newmarket, Orillia, Oakville, Ottawa, Peterborough, St. Catharines, Stouffville, Sudbury, Thessalon, Toronto, Algoma, Halton, Kitchener-Waterloo, Muskoka, Peel, the GTA, Ontario and beyond.