Most writers are in the profession because they love it, not because it makes a lot of cash. For freelancers in particular, there are many things writers need to sustain their at-home-business. So Christmas is the perfect opportunity to lighten the load on these writers by buying them practical gifts that they can use every day.
1. The Writer’s Market
The Writer’s Market is an annual publication that arrives in bookstores near the end of the summer. It contains details on book and magazine publishers, literary agents, contests, awards, a chart of average billing costs for writing and editing jobs and articles from professional, successful writers in the field. For serious writers, this book is like the bible. It is the best way to gain industry information.
The Writer’s Market is a general book of listings that can be useful for writers in every field. But there are also special editions of the book that are targeted to specific writing genres. (For example, the Children’s and Illustrator’s Market, the Poet’s Market, the Novel and Short Story Writer’s Market, and so on).
2. Journal or Pocket Notebook
For many writers, ideas arise at the most random moments when there are no pens or paper handy, whether it’s while they’re lying in bed, driving or in a business meeting. Any writer would appreciate a journal to keep by their bedside for those dreams that spark ideas for a story, or a small notebook for them to carry in their bags or pockets.
3. USB Flash Drives
Whether they’re writing a business proposal, a research report or a novel, writers can never have too many ways to back up their work. Even if the writer already has a flash drive, owning a second doesn’t hurt. After all, what if the original flash drive goes missing?
4. Writing Magazine Subscriptions
Magazines like The Writer’s Digest and Quill & Quire are filled with useful information for writers. They contain current industry trends, how-to columns and articles by writing experts, book reviews and useful links. There are also countless literary magazines that contain poetry and short stories written by both new and established writers. Such magazines include Geist, The Strand, and The Writers’ Journal, to name a few. Most of these literary magazines have contest listings and are open to submissions from writers.
5. Biography of Their Favourite Writer
Every writer’s story is unique: how they began, how they broke into the industry and what put their name on the map. Many writers enjoy reading about how other writer’s established their careers. So why not give your loved one a biography of their favourite writer.
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