So, you’ve been blessed with having an author in your circle. But each year, you’re still racking your brain for a gift to give them that isn’t so… basic. We’ve got you covered – with the best gifts for authors that will actually be used and enjoyed.
This blog post contains…
32 Thoughtful Gifts for Authors
Here are our favorite gifts for authors in 2023.
1. AquaNotes – The Waterproof Notepad – $15.00
They say the best stories and scenarios come to us in the shower, right? But then we jump out, carry on with our day, and leave our award-winning novel idea in the bathroom.
Well no more! AquaNotes is a waterproof notepad that easily sticks to the shower wall so you can just write your thoughts in the moment.
No more great stories down the drain.
2. An aesthetic keyboard – $26.00 – $50.00
Who doesn’t love an aesthetic keyboard and mouse set for their desk? As long as you know your friend's favorite colors, aesthetic keyboards make very thoughtful gifts for authors. They'll smile and think of you every time they sit down to write.
If you’re looking for a way to spruce up their work setup, these sets are a pretty awesome way to do that.
3. The Writer’s Toolbox: Creative Games and Exercises – $24.95
Every author needs a little inspiration from time to time. The Writer’s Toolbox, designed by Jamie Cat Callan, is one of the best gifts for authors. It includes a 64-page booklet filled with exercises to train the “right brain” when approaching writing.
From creative writing prompts to spinner palettes, this toolbox is the perfect way to help your author friend out of their writer’s block and unleash the creative flow when they need it most!
4. The Writer's Block – $12.33
Sometimes writer's block sticks around. And every author can use some extra help! That's where The Writer's Block comes in. This literal block contains more than 780 ideas to get writers out of their funk, making this one of the best gifts for authors.
5. “Don’t Annoy the Writer” Mug – $17.37
Writers have the power to control the narrative, so you don’t want to get on their bad side! If your author friend has a sense of humor and a love of coffee or tea, then silly mugs can make great gifts for authors. We particularly like this writer's mug from 3dRose.
6. Noise-canceling headphones – $329.00
Let's face it; a distraction-free workspace is one of the most important things for writers. And, while we may have control over desk clutter, the same can't be said for the world outside. Thankfully, with the right headphones, noise won't be a problem anymore. That's what makes these noise-canceling headphones from Bose one of the best gifts for authors.
7. Warm tone desk lamp – $21.99
Warm tone lamps make great author gifts. They are the best way to set that relaxing tone for a late-night writing session. Yellow light is much easier on the eyes and helps promote a more natural setting. Treat your author friend to a calming edition to their evening writing rounds.
8. Papier Personalized Notebook – $32.00
Nothing is more of a staple in a writer’s bag than a personalized notebook reiterating that they are in fact… a fully-fledged writer!
This beautifully-designed hardback notebook from Papier can be personalized with their name, the type of paper they write best on, and the color of their choice. A customized notebook allows your author friend to jot down notes on the go, making these thoughtful gifts for authors.
9. Chair Cushion and Lumbar Support Pillow – $47.92
Ever heard your writer friend complain about back pains? Chances are you have – and it’s no surprise seeing as they spend the majority of their day slumped over a laptop or tablet during a creative session.
Made from 100% pure memory foam, the FORTEM chair cushion and lumbar support pillow may be just the life-saver your author friend needs! Ergonomic chair pads and supports provide the ultimate comfort to help authors do what they love, pain-free – making them the perfect gifts for authors.
10. Online writing courses – $40 for one month
Buying an online writing course or subscription is one of the most thoughtful gifts for authors. A course can give them access to training, forums, and programs that can greatly improve their writing.
Writers are always looking for new ways to build their skills and experience. Freelance Writers Den is an online community of writers offering support to one another and, for just $40, you can give the gift of self-development for a whole month!
11. A vintage pen holder – $17.99
A vintage pen holder designed to look like library books with a sliding drawer underneath for other supplies? Yes, please!
Suitable for any study desk, this retro-style accessory helps to keep your friend's writing supplies in neat condition whilst looking pretty awesome.
Whether they’re a Harry Potter enthusiast, or just dig the vintage feels – why not treat them to a new desk organizer?
12. Books on writing
Every writer knows that the number one thing they can do to perfect their craft is read – a lot.
While fiction stories are easy to immerse ourselves into, books that give tips and tricks on becoming a better writer make for far better author gifts. Here are some great self-development writing books to buy for your author friend:
- On Writing by Stephen King
- The Associated Press Stylebook by Associated Press
- Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Renny Browne and Dave King
- A Writer’s Guide to Persistence by Jordan Rosenfield
- Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon
13. Nespresso or Starbucks gift card
The link between F Scott Fitzgerald, JK Rowling, and TS Elliot? They all wrote their famous stories while sitting in coffee shops (oh, and they’re all great writers of course!).
Most authors I know view coffee as more than just a drink. It’s a necessity. AND the perfect compliment to an afternoon creative session. A coffee gift card will help them keep on top of their writing.
14. A laptop stand – $25.99
No more wrist pains or poor-posture days for your writer! A secure laptop stand can raise their laptop six inches off the work desk to help them achieve better posture and optimum comfort for longer.
This pairs perfectly with a wireless keyboard and mouse set, like the ones we mentioned at number 2 on our list of gifts for authors.
15. A Writing Hour candle – $24.00
If you really want to set the scene for your author friend, hand-poured Writing Hour candles make great gifts for authors. These candles come in a variety of delightful scents like Vanilla Bean, Comfort Spice, and Sea Breeze. Just the thing to make the mood just right for writing.
16. An engraved ballpoint pen – $15.10
These engraved stainless steel pens make perfect gifts for authors for any occasion. They not only hold a special sentiment, but are also so handy for a writer that’s constantly on the go!
The name is professionally lasered onto the pen in a font of your choice, and then wrapped in a decorative gift box so it’s just perfect when it comes to gifting it.
17. Typewriter Vintage Tote Bag – $18.00
Awesome writer and a style icon? This cotton tote floral typewriter bag fits your author friend's aesthetic to a T. Perfect for those library research days or a quick shopping trip, this reusable tote will make sure the whole world knows how much your friend loves writing.
This supplier also sells the same bag in a range of different colors – check out the tote collection on Etsy.
18. Ultimate Productivity Planner – $12.99
Most authors battle with productivity. Whether it’s dealing with a case of writer’s block, or just having a low-energy day – it’s completely normal to experience! A productivity planner works to help them through these days so they can be back on track in no time. This makes planners like the Productivity Planner for Freelance Writers great gifts for authors.
With clear spaces to write task due dates and project deadlines, it’s the ultimate friend for any freelancer or aspiring writer looking to stay on top of things.
19. A back and neck massager – $49.99
Long days staring at your screen = major neck and shoulder pain for the majority of writers at one point or another. And when you're dealing with upper back pain, it can REALLY take you out of the writing process. That's why we are including a back and neck massager as one of the best gifts for authors. Trust me, your author friend will thank you.
20. Laptop wrist rests – $24.99
Your neck isn't the only thing that can start killing you as a full-time writer. If your wrists aren't in the right position, you can easily end up with inflammation – which can spell disaster for finishing your book. Laptop wrist rests make one of the best gifts for authors because they keep your wrists aligned in an ergonomic position with comfortable memory foam pads.
21. A digital voice recorder – $38.99
Some writers brainstorm better out loud. And every author can benefit from having their story read back to them during the editing process. A digital voice recorder will help your author friend get their next novel into tip-top shape.
22. The Emotion Thesaurus – $22.25
Explaining characters' emotions in a compelling way is one of the biggest challenges authors face – but The Emotion Thesaurus can help! This incredible book will help your author friend write passages where the reader feels like they are right inside the character's head.
23. A mini zen garden – $32.59
No book (I repeat, NO book) is a stress-free experience to write. There will be frustrating passages and bouts of writer's block, and having a mini desktop zen garden can help your author friend to relax, brainstorm, and start fresh.
24. Blue-light-blocking glasses – $15.48
We all know that staring at screens can strain your eyes, but these blue-light-blocking glasses provide an easy fix. Now your author friend can write straight through the night if the inspiration strikes!
25. A lap desk – $42.10
Sometimes a change of scenery is exactly what you need to beat writer's block. And with a lap desk, you can write from absolutely anywhere! This makes our list of gifts for authors because it will give your friend absolute writing freedom.
26. The Book Lover's Cookbook – $14.68
Does the author in your life love cooking just as much as they love writing? Then they will absolutely eat up The Book Lover's Cookbook. This super fun cookbook features recipes inspired by everyone's favorite literary characters and settings. And they are darn tasty, too.
27. Novel Teas for Writers – from $10.95
If your giftee is a tea connoisseur, why not consider NovelTeas for your present? These whimsical teas are book themed, with names like Anne of Green Tea Gables, Don QuixoTea, War and Peach, and much, much more. Any author is sure to get a hoot out of these tea tins.
28. A laptop privacy screen – $28.99
Does your friend like to write their books from coffee shops? Then they NEED a laptop privacy screen. The last thing they want is for someone to see what they are writing, love the idea, and steal it before the book gets published. If you choose a privacy screen as one of your gifts for authors, just make sure you know the size of your giftee's laptop!
29. A Kindle Unlimited subscription
Kindle Unlimited gives you access to…well, unlimited amounts of books. With early access to best-sellers and plenty of free titles, this subscription is a great choice when looking for author gifts. Just make sure they aren't a snob about reading “physical books” first.
30. An Audible subscription
Every author needs book inspiration, but not everyone has the time to sit and read as much as they would like. An Audible subscription makes it easy to listen to the best audiobooks while driving, cooking, doing laundry – you name it! This makes an Audible subscription one of the most thoughtful gifts for authors.
31. Writing software
Having the right book writing software can make all the difference in actually completing your book idea. These 15 book writing software options make the perfect gifts for authors.
32. Published by Chandler Bolt – FREE
A writer is not an author unless they actually publish their book, and Chandler Bolt's book helps aspiring authors to do just that. Published: The Proven Path from Blank Page to 10,000 Copies Sold can help your friend with the book writing process from start to finish!
Best yet? Unlike the other author gifts on this list, you can get this book ABSOLUTELY FREE thanks to our deal with the author.
Related: Best Gifts for Writers
Happy gifting!
And that’s a wrap, folks. We’ve listed the 18 best gifts for authors that will get used time and time again.
Have any of your own gift suggestions? We’d love to hear from you! Drop a comment below to keep the ideas flowing.
