Finding great gifts for writers doesn’t have to be difficult.
Looking for creative writing gifts for the Jane Austen or Stephen King in your life?
Overwhelmed by the myriad of options available on Amazon and Google?
In this easy-to-digest gift guide, I’m going to help you find the perfect gift for your writer friend, spouse, or loved one.
I’ll break everything down into categories, and I’ll even give you different price options for each unique gift idea so you can choose the best gift for your budget.
Sound good? Let’s dive in.
Here are 62 of the best gifts for writers and authors in 2022 (and beyond):
Category #1: An Excuse to Read More Books
Most writers are avid readers.
Book lover? Bookworm? Bibliophile? We writers wear these terms as badges of honor.
That’s why a gift — any gift — related to reading is usually a big hit with writers.
Of course, “any gift related to reading” is broad and incredibly unhelpful.
So let’s look at several specific gift ideas you can try…
A Bookmark to Hold Their Place (Starts at $5)
Does the writer in your life use torn sheets of paper, envelopes, or old Hootie and the Blowfish CDs to mark where they left off when reading?
You know they can do better, so let’s help them do better. Let’s gift them an actual bookmark.
A silicone finger point bookmark 1can be used as a bookmark or a book strap, and you can stretch them so they point to the exact place you finished reading.
And, at under $10 for a pack of 5, they’re a pretty affordable gift.
Need a bookmark for a young writer, a kid, or a kid at heart? Check out Dr. Seuss’ Oh the Places You’ll Go! bookmark set 2for around $12.
For readers who like to give off an “I have many leather-bound books and my apartment smells of rich mahogany” vibe, consider this leather bookmark from Hide & Drink 3for $16.
Want something a bit more creative?
Try postcards.
They can be repurposed in a variety of ways — from framed artwork to, yes, bookmarks. At $20, Amazon’s Bibliophilia: 100 Literary Postcards 4gift box is almost too good of a deal.
Similarly, you could use illustrated cards. The Writer Emergency Pack for $16 offers helpful suggestions and tips for writers, plus they can be used as handy bookmarks.
Win, win.
Books on Writing (Under $20)
Every book lover has their favorite genre, but when you’re buying a book for a writer, getting something related to the craft of writing is usually a safe bet.
Here are four writing books we routinely recommend to our students:
- On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction 5by William Zinsser — The best book on the mechanics of writing.
- Save the Cat 6by Blake Snyder — The best book on the structure of writing.
- On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft 7by Stephen King (aka Jon Morrow’s favorite writer) — Filled with great quotes and a peek inside the bestselling author’s intense writing routine, this well-known Stephen King book is packed with tips for becoming a frighteningly good writer.
- Writing Down the Bones: Freeing the Writer Within 8by Natalie Goldberg — If you need inspiration or a gentle kick to snap you out of writer’s block, this is the book for you.
Not sure which writing book to purchase? The tried-and-true gift card 9is a safe (if boring) option.
And if your writer friend or loved one likes to read at night and needs a handy book light 10, Amazon has options starting at only $10.
A Kindle Reader (Starts at $60)
If the writer in your life has ever said anything like…
- “There’s just something about the smell of a good book.” Or,
- “I love holding a book in my hand and flipping through the pages.” Or,
- “Tablets are stupid and anyone who reads books on them is stupid.”
…they probably wouldn’t appreciate a Kindle E-reader.
However, if they’ve ever uttered anything like, “How the heck am I going to fit all these books in my suitcase?” they’d probably love a Kindle.
The basic Kindle E-reader 11starts at $60 on Amazon, with the Kindle Paperwhite 12starting at $85 and the high-end Kindle Oasis 13starting at $250.
Does your writer friend already own a Kindle? Consider giving them a cover 14for it. (Just make sure you buy one that’s compatible with their particular Kindle.)
Also:
If the writer in your life has ever said anything about “taking a hot bath” while “reading a good book,” this $30 bathtub caddy 15is another creative gift idea to consider.
Blue Light Blocking Glasses (Starts at $69)
Anyone who reads books on tablets (or who works on digital devices all day, which let’s face it, is most of us) needs a good pair of blue light blocking glasses.
I don’t pretend to understand the science behind them, but I know from personal experience they reduce eye strain and, in my case anyway, help me to have fewer headaches.
The Swanwick Classic “Day” Swannies 16($79) are my daily drivers, and the Classic “Night” Swannies 17($69) are great for those who work (or read) at night.
True, there are cheaper blue light glasses 18out there (some as low as $8). But if your writer friend’s experience is anything like mine, the cheaper options will pinch their nose, hurt their ears, or have them wondering, “Are these actually doing anything?”
In other words, they’ll eventually end up buying a brand like Swanwick anyway, so you might as well save them a step.
Category #2: A Really Good Pen
Yes, it’s cliche. And, yes, most writers already have a dozen cheap pens scattered around their house.
But a good pen? A really, really good pen?
That’s a different story.
It doesn’t matter if it’s for an aspiring writer, an aspiring novelist, a freelance writer, or a bestselling author. Heck, it doesn’t matter if they already own one (or several).
If you give a writer a good pen, it’s a gift that will be treasured.
Here are Some Nice Pens That Won’t Break the Bank
On a tight budget? That doesn’t mean you can’t buy the writer or author in your life a solid pen they’ll love.
Prismacolor Premier Illustration Markers 19are lightweight, virtually smudge-proof, and cost about the same as a candy bar. They’re not much to look at, but for anyone who values function over form (and a low price), they’re hard to beat.
Don’t want a fine-point pen? Or maybe you’d like an upgrade in the “looks” department?
For around $15, the Parker Jotter 20is a stainless steel ballpoint pen that’ll turn heads and make people ask, “Is that a Parker Jotter stainless steel pen?”
And if you get it for them, your writer friend or loved one will be able to respond and say, “Yes — yes it is.”
Want to Spend a Little Extra?
The Pelikan Stola III 21is a handsome ballpoint pen that offers great comfort and balance. It also comes in a fountain pen variety 22, if that’s your preference.
If you’d like something a bit beefier, the Deluxe Stealth Tornado 23from Retro 51 is worth a look. It feels substantial in the hand and its all-black, stainless-steel design is timeless.
Money No Object? Buy One of These Pens
Is the writer in your life tech-savvy?
You should look into getting him or her the Symphony Smartpen Digital Pen 24from Livescribe. It works on iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS.
Does he or she prefer to write notes on paper?
The Aurora Ipsilon 25is a classic fountain pen that fits great in the hand and offers smooth, consistent ink flow. You know, if such things matter to your writer friend (and they should).
Finally, consider the Cross Townsend 26pen — it’s plated in 10 karat gold.
I’ve included it on the list because it’s plated in 10 karat gold.
Category #3: Noise-Canceling Headphones
Sometimes, the most thoughtful gift you can give a writer is the gift of silence.
No, that doesn’t mean giving them the cold shoulder — it means giving them what I consider to be one of the very best gifts for writers:
Noise-canceling headphones that block out the world’s distractions so you can get down to business and write.
Of course, noise-canceling headphones aren’t cheap. But that doesn’t mean there aren’t good deals to be found.
Let’s look at a few…
Active Noise Cancellation for Under $50
The Anker SoundCore Life Q20 27is an over-ear headphone that offers decent sound, great comfort, and active noise cancellation (ANC) for $60 — and Amazon regularly offers a $10 discount to bring the price down to a cool $50.
With over 27,000 reviews and a 4.5 out of 5 rating on Amazon, it’s little wonder why the New York Times’ Wirecutter lists the Anker Q20 as its budget pick for noise-canceling headphones.
But what if the writer in your life prefers earbuds?
Look into the EarFun Air 28for $50.
It’s IPX7 rated (meaning it’s sweatproof and waterproof), offers USB-C charging, and has a battery that lasts 35 hours when fully charged.
Plus, the brand is called “EarFun” — how could it NOT be a good time for your ears?
Bigger Budget? Consider One the These
At around $130 on Amazon, the Anker Soundcore Life Q35 29takes everything great about the Life Q20 and turns them up several notches.
Plus, its active noise cancellation can switch between different modes based on your location. That’s not a big deal if you only wear them in your writing space inside your home, but if you mix things up and sometimes go to coffee shops that play Justin Bieber music, it’s a feature you’ll appreciate when those distracting, horrible noises are blocked.
If your writer friend is more of an earbud guy or girl, Anker’s Soundcore Liberty Air 2 Pro 30is a great gift option.
It offers many of the features you see with Apple’s AirPods Pro (more on it below), but at a much lower price.
Just think of all the pens you could buy with the money saved!
Rolling in Dough? Get Your Writer Friend One of These Headphones
The Sony WH-1000XM4 31is my noise-canceling headphone of choice; in fact, I’m wearing them right now as I write these words.
They’re probably my most extravagant purchase to date. So much so that, seconds after purchasing them, I had buyer’s remorse.
“Do you have any idea how many pens you could’ve bought with that money?” I asked myself.
But as soon as they arrived and I tried them on, I fell in love. Put simply: They minimize distractions and make my job infinitely easier.
Of course, with a higher budget, you have other options too. For those who prefer Bose to Sony, the Bose 700 32is a great alternative to the WH-1000XM4 (though a little bit pricier).
And if you’re in the Apple ecosystem, the AirPods Pro 33and AirPods Max 34are two standouts.
The former is $200 earbuds with legions of die-hard fans and a host of great features.
The latter is over-ear headphones that cost almost $500. And, no, they aren’t plated in 10 karat gold. However, they are adored by almost everyone who’s purchased them.
(I hear the guy from the Monopoly board game can’t stop raving about his.)
Category #4: Mug for Coffee (or Tea)
If your writer friend or loved one is like most people, they rely on coffee (or tea) to get them through their day.
However, since society doesn’t let us inject it straight into our veins, a middleman — a coffee mug, cup, glass, tankard, stein, or chalice — is required to deliver caffeine goodness to our bodies.
Until the day such middlemen are no longer required, mugs will remain a fixture on every writer’s desk.
And that makes them great gifts for writers.
Clever Writing Mugs (Under $15)
Amazon is packed 35with humorous mugs for writers.
Two popular ones are “Please do not annoy the writer, she may put you in a book and kill you” 36and “I write – what’s your superpower?” 37, but there are many (many) more.
Want to give off a “do not annoy me” vibe but without the threat of literary death? The “Be careful or you’ll end up in my novel” 38mug is a good choice.
Does the writer or author in your life occasionally succumb to writer’s block? The “Writer’s block: When your imaginary friends stop talking to you” 39coffee mug will keep them company as they stare helplessly at their blank screen or page.
Is your writer friend the type who likes — scratch that, loves — to spot everyone’s spelling and punctuation mistakes? The “I’m silently correcting your grammar” 40mug will fit them like a warm, slightly condescending glove.
One of My Favorite Writing Gifts: The Magic Creativity Mug for Writers
Want to give the writer in your life a mug that’s more special and unique than what’s available on Amazon?
Henneke Duistermaat, who’s both a talented writer and a talented cartoonist, has a collection of mugs designed to inspire and encourage writers and authors, young and old.
This is the one 41I purchased for myself:
It features Henneke’s alter-ego, Henrietta, moving across vintage typewriter keys on one side, and a hand-written ritual on the other that’s designed to boost your creativity.
If they’re anything like me, the writer in your life will love it.
An Unspillable Mug
If you have a few more dollars to spend, consider getting a mug that’s virtually impossible to accidentally tip over.
Don’t believe such a thing exists?
Check out this video:
The Mighty Mug 42has “Smartgrip Technology” that prevents accidental spills. It comes in several varieties, but the one I just linked to is stainless steel, double insulated, sweatproof, and BPA-free.
Plus, it fits into any car’s cupholder.
This portability will come in handy when your writer friend needs to leave the house (to buy more coffee).
A Mug With Magical Powers
If you have deep pockets and want to give the writer in your life the gift of not having to get up out of their chair, walk to a microwave, and warm up their cold cup of coffee like a caveman, buy them this:
It’s the Ember Temperature Control Smart Mug 43and it could be yours (well, your friend’s) for only $130.
What’s it do?
It does magic, my friend. Or, more specifically, it keeps your coffee warm for you.
So, not exactly magic, but close.
Category #5: Reliable Keyboard & Mouse
Unless your writer friend, loved one, or spouse does their work on a typewriter (in which case the Royal 79101t Classic Manual Typewriter 44would be a wonderful gift), a reliable keyboard/mouse is an essential writing tool for every writer’s toolbox.
And if your special writer’s keyboard is currently filled with crumbs that fell from a sandwich consumed during the Obama administration, or their mouse has potato chip stains on it from a flavor they don’t even make anymore, an upgrade would undoubtedly be a welcomed writing gift.
But what to get?
A mechanical keyboard or one that’s low-profile and quiet? What about ergonomics? And do they need to be compatible with Macs, PCs, or both?
Let’s walk through several options (and several price points) so you can choose the right one.
Budget Keyboard & Mouse Options
Need a perfectly practical gift at a perfectly practical price? The Logitech MK345 Wireless Combo 45is a keyboard/mouse combo that costs only $35.
Logitech is a trusted brand (you’ll see it pop up several times on this list) and this particular keyboard/mouse combo has over 27,000 reviews and a 4.6 out of 5 rating on Amazon. It’s a solid deal.
Need budget options for Mac? Look into the iClever BK10 Bluetooth Keyboard 46for $30. You’ll have to buy a mouse separately, but the Satechi M1 47wireless mouse for Macs is a $30 option with solid reviews on Amazon.
Want to give something that’ll be a bit kinder to your writer’s wrists and hands?
The Logitech K350 Wireless Wave 48is a basic ergonomic keyboard for $37. It can, technically, work with Macs, but it’s designed for PC. If you want a budget ergonomic option for Mac, try the Macally Mac 49wired keyboard for $50.
On the mouse side of things, Anker’s ergonomic mouse 50for $28 is an excellent deal. It’s compatible with both PCs and Macs, and its vertical design encourages what’s called a “handshake” position that’s easier on your arm and wrist.
(Hey, remember back before COVID hit when people would actually shake hands? Good times. Good times.)
Bigger Budget, Better Options
If your budget is bigger and you’d like to give your writer friend the best of the best, here’s where you should put your money.
The Logitech MX Keys Keyboard 51is loved and adored by professionals (including yours truly). It’s quiet, built like a tank, and works with PCs, Macs, and even Chromebooks.
At $100, it certainly isn’t cheap. But it’s really, really good.
For the mouse, check out the Logitech MX Master 3 52, which is also $100 and works with PCs, Macs, and Chromebooks.
Want ergonomic options?
The Logitech Ergo 53keyboard offers all of the features found in the MX Keys, but in an ergonomically-friendly form factor.
You can pair it with the Logitech MX Vertical 54wireless mouse. This is the mouse I use and swear by. Before purchasing it, the soreness in my wrist had gotten pretty severe. But after two weeks using the MX Vertical, the soreness disappeared (and hasn’t returned).
In short, I highly recommend it.
Finally, if you’re in the Apple ecosystem and you don’t want to use one of the Mac-compatible options from Logitech I just mentioned, there are really only two options: the Apple Magic Keyboard 55for $100 and the Apple Magic Mouse 56for $80.
Neither is better than the Logitech offerings in my opinion, but if your writer friend needs their Apple, don’t be a Scrooge. Give them their Apple.
Mechanical Keyboard Options
Does the writer in your life prefer the clickety-clack sound and the tactile feel of mechanical keyboards?
Many writers do. In fact, some writers are so devoted to the typing experience provided by mechanical keyboards that the mere idea of using a low-profile keyboard sends shivers down their spines.
Most likely, such writers already own a mechanical keyboard. However, if they could use an upgrade, you have a few options:
The “budget” mechanical keyboard with the most consistently good reviews is the wired Logitech G413 57for $64.
For $16 more, you can grab the Keychron K2 Wireless Mechanical Keyboard 58and its top-notch reputation among typing enthusiasts.
The Razer Pro Type 59for around $110 is another option. Razer is known for gaming, but the Pro Type sees the company finally giving “professionals” some love.
And if you’d like to give the writer or author in your life a mechanical keyboard with all the bells and whistles, look at the Das Keyboard 4 Professional 60for $169. But be warned: it might spoil them beyond repair.
Oh, by the way:
If your writer friend already has a perfectly good keyboard (that just happens to be incredibly filthy), you can help them remove those food crumbs by gifting them an air duster.
This cordless air duster from AFMAT 61is $70, but it’ll help them clean all sorts of things (not just their keyboard).
Don’t want to spend that much (and I don’t really blame you)? Compressed air in a can 62will set you back only $5 or so.
What do YOU Think are the Best Gifts for Writers and Authors?
There are lots of great gifts for writers out there, and this post has only scratched the surface.
That’s why I’d love to hear from you.
What great writing gift did I miss?
A comfy pair of pajamas or literary t-shirt that says “It’s not the size of the short story that counts”? A tote bag from Etsy filled with a variety of novel tea flavors? How about a literary journal, pencil, or composition notebook?
In short:
What are your favorite gifts for writers? What about your favorite gifts for authors? What’s your go-to birthday or Christmas gift for the Ernest Hemingway in your life?
Share them in a comment below!
——
Note: Most of the links above are referral links, which means we may get a small commission if you click on one of the writing gifts and decide to make a purchase. However, there’s no extra cost to you. Thank you for your support!
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