Gifts for Writers in 2022
If you have a writer on your shopping list, here are suggestions for gifts for writers in 2022. I use and recommend each of these items, with one exception. For more suggestions, check out the gifts for writers in 2021.
Note, these gifts include affiliate links. They won’t cost you anything extra, but the retailer will pay me a small commission for the referral.
Sticky Notes
Sticky notes are something I take with me everywhere. I use them for content planning, to capture revision notes, for storyboarding my novels, and for quick reminders.
I stick to the Post-it brand for three reasons. First, the adhesive lasts and releases. Next, the paper is thick enough so my pens won’t bleed through. Last, unlike some, their adhesive doesn’t pull ink off of printed books. The Post-it multipack bundles rarely come with the sizes I use, so we’re going to make our own bundle.
Post-it Mini Notes, 1.5×2 in, 4 Pads $3.69
This is my first must-have sticky note. They are the perfect size for my planner, and I built my storyboarding worksheets around this size too.
Post-it Super Sticky Recycled Notes, 4×6 in, 3 Pads $13.99
These lined sheets are my next favorite size. I use them to jot notes as I’m reading for book reviews. I also use them to collect my thoughts while working through revisions and when brainstorming. Recently, I’ve started posting the weekly meal plan on one of these and sticking it to the front of the refrigerator. They’ve kept those annoying “What are we having for dinner?” questions at bay.
Post-it Transparent Notes, 3×3 in, 12 Pads/Pack, 36 Sheets/Pad $18.99
Clear sticky notes are a revelation. They let you jot ideas, underline, or highlight text without marring the original book. I wish they came in a 4×6 size to better fit trade paperbacks, but they are so clear you can put one partly on top of another and still see the text beneath both. Pro tip: use smudge-proof pens (see below) with these notes.
Post-it Flags in Portable Dispenser $5.99
Flags are ideal for marking pages in books. I use them extensively to mark important sections in craft books. They are also super useful for flagging pages in novels that have examples I want to pull out for book reviews. In a pinch, I also use them as a bookmark.
Annual Gifts
Sharpie S-Gel, Gel Pens, Medium Point (0.7mm), Assorted Colors, 8 Count $10.22
These pens provide a nice, dark ink and a padded rubber grip. This pack comes with 4 black pens, plus 1 each of blue, red, green, and purple and will keep your scribbler happy all year long. Like their advertising, the pens don’t smear or smudge. If your writer is a leftie, give these pens a try!
The Moleskine notebook is a gold standard for writers. They are super durable and will survive being shoved in bags, backpacks, and purses. The extra classics come in around 20 colors, so you will find one to suit your writer. They have high-quality paper and are available lined, dotted, gridded, and unlined. Whether your writer likes to journal, sketch, or is always scrawling down story notes and ideas, these notebooks will delight.
Southworth Planner (January 2023-December 2023), 8.5″ x 11″ $18.99
I’ve just ordered my third Southworth Planner. They have been invaluable for content planning, keeping my deadlines top of mind, and organizing my travel. I really like the layout. It’s spiral bound and opens flat, making it easy to write on. I use the monthly view for content planning and the daily view for keeping track of word count and prioritizing my tasks.
Craft Gifts
Understanding Show, Don’t Tell: And Really Getting It $9.99
Every writer hears the advice “show, don’t tell!” throughout their careers, but it’s hard to follow unless you understand what makes prose show vs tell.
This craft book by Janice Hardy is outstanding. The lessons are easily digestible. I originally bought it and the next book on the list as ebooks, but they were so valuable I purchased the paperbacks too.
Understanding Conflict: (And What It Really Means) (Skill Builders) $9.99
Like Show, Don’t tell, every writer has been told their writing needs more conflict. But until you understand what conflict is and isn’t, it’s hard to follow this advice. In Understanding Conflict, Hardy gets into the differences between internal and external conflict, as well as the relationship between conflict and tension. For more, check out my book review.
The Conflict Thesaurus: A Writer’s Guide to Obstacles, Adversaries, and Inner Struggles (Volume 2) $18.99
Once you understand conflict, the conflict thesauruses put out by Angela Ackerman and Becca Puglisi are super useful. So useful that Volume 1 was in my gift suggestions last year. Volume 2 just came out in October and is a brilliant companion to the rest of their Writers Helping Writers series.
Gadget Gifts
Logitech Ergo K860 Split Wireless Keyboard $129.99
I wish I’d known about this keyboard sooner! It has the tactile, clicky keys I enjoy, built-in wrist support, and a full number keypad. Unlike the other wireless keyboards I’ve used, I’ve had no issues with the bluetooth going squirrelly. I’ve had no wrist pain since switching to it. Best of all, it is operating system agnostic; it works both with my desktop PC and my MacBook Air. This is super useful since most keyboards (even wired keyboards) don’t support the functions of both systems.
This is the one product on this page that I haven’t tried yet, but I’ve preordered one! The Kindle Scribe is a head-to-head competitor for the reMarkable 2 tablet. Like the reMarkable, the Scribe is an e-ink tablet meant to write on.
I have a first generation reMarkable that I love and use for editing without printing out my writing. I couldn’t justify a new tablet when the reMarkable 2 came out, but the Scribe caught my eye for a couple of reasons. First, it’s a Kindle, so I’d have my entire library with me without having to bring a second tablet. Next, it has similar features to the reMarkable 2. Last; it has 64 GB of storage and a built-in light for reading at night. Once I’ve evaluated it, I’ll write a post about it.
Just For Fun
Writers are readers too, so I’d be remiss if I didn’t point out books makes splendid gifts! I’ve put together book lists for Indie Reads, hopeful post-apocalyptic reads, and novels featuring art-based magic.
My books in the Elemental Artist series is perfect for fantasy readers, people who enjoy low-stakes quests with a quirky band of followers, readers interested in art-based magic, and anyone who has wondered what life could be like if modern society collapsed. They are available in ebook, paperback, large print paperback, and hardcover.
Oil and Dust (The Elemental Artist Book 1) $4.99 – $29.99
In Oil and Dust, I invite readers to join Matthew Sugiyama on his quest to find his birth parents. This is the first book in the series. Recently, the Washington Author Project awarded Oil and Dust as the 2022 Statewide Winner.
Graphite and Turbulence (The Elemental Artist Book 2) $4.99 – $29.99
Graphite and Turbulence is the second book in the series. Like Oil and Dust, Matthew continues on his quest to find his birth parents, but along the way, he learns what parenting really is.
Charcoal and Smoke (The Elemental Artist Book 3) $4.99
Charcoal and Smoke is the third book in the series. Many of your favorite characters return to accompany Matthew on a mad-march across the country. The ebook is currently on preorder at Amazon and Barnes and Noble. Paperback and hard cover preorders will be available closer to the publication date (3/23/23).
I hope these gifts for writers in 2022 help you shop for your favorite writer! What are your favorite writing-related gifts?
Header Photo by Nina Mercado on Unsplash