This list of the best gifts for writers, poets, and published authors does not include books about writing (except for one reluctant one at the end)! Instead, it’s a round up of ideas for the writer in your life – whether you’re married to an unpublished poet or a published author celebrating her 52^nd week on the New York Times bestseller list!

Before the tips, a quip:

“There’s not much to be said about the period,” wrote William Zinsser, “except that most writers don’t reach it soon enough.”

Gifts that help writers improve their writing skills might work…depending on the writer. That wouldn’t be one of the best gifts for me because I have so many books about writing, blogging, and getting published — it’d be well nigh impossible to figure out which writing book is the best!  So a gift of a writing book isn’t high on my list. The best gift I ever received was from my husband — a “Believe” sign for my office. Click on the image for info about this Believe sign (which is a little different from mine), and read on for a list of the best gifts for writers, poets, and published authors…

The Best Gifts for Writers, Poets, and Published Authors

Tickets to see a published author. Last year, Elizabeth Gilbert (who wrote Eat, Pray, Love) spoke at a huge theatre in North Vancouver, BC – and it was sold out months in advance! Something like this – tickets to see a writer in action – would be one of the best gifts for writers, poets, and published authors.

A writer’s conference. Boy, if you can swing a complete gift package to a writer’s conference for three or four nights, you’ll be in your writer’s best books for life! This is probably the best gift my hubby could ever give me: a writing conference in Mexico, Hawaii, Costa Rica, California, the Bahamas…

A subscription to a writing magazine. There aren’t that many to choose from, but Writer’s Digest, The Writer, and Writing Magazine are popular. If the writer you know already subscribes to a writing magazine, then you can simply extend the subscription. Or, subscribe to something different (The New Yorker, for instance) to take your writer out of her comfort zone.

Gift cards to Chapters, Indigo, Amazon, etc. Even a $20 gift card can buy several items at these stores – and the writer isn’t limited to books! Gift cards are versatile and easy, and can easily be one of the best gifts to give a writer. Click on the present for info about buying gift cards through Amazon.

New writing tools and software. Okay, I’m not up on the cool new writing gadgets on the market, but I know stuff is out there. I’m thinking about writing software programs, such as Scrivener (Macs only) or a similar thing for PC’s. Software writing tools can be one of the best gifts for writers, poets, and published authors — depending on their genre and intereses.

Journals and notebooks. A writer can never have too many journals, diaries, or notebooks for jotting ideas, writing quips and tips, or fleshing out random thoughts. A gorgeous journal is a great gift for writers; it’s almost as versatile as a gift card.

Spa days, pedicures, manicures. I get regular full body massages, so a massage isn’t the best gift for me. But, last year Bruce gave me a pedicure/manicure/facial at a day spa. It was relaxing and pampering – and almost as good as a massage! A great holiday gift for writers is something that pampers and relaxes them.

Unique gifts for artists. Google “unique gifts for artists”, and websites like “Gifts for Artists” will bubble to the surface. They have a great page called “Gift Ideas for Writers” – and feature stuff like a way cool motivational clock for writers (it says “keep writing”!).

The gift of time. If the writer in your life has kids or other responsibilities that take time and energy (like housecleaning, cleaning the car, gardening, etc), then the best gift is time! Offer to take care of the kids, or hire a cleaner for a couple cleaning sessions. Garden, mow the lawn, or clean the car. You don’t have to live with the writer to free up some time for him or her.

Books about writing. If you’re really stuck about what the best gift for the writer in your life is, then fine — buy a book! Anne Lamott’s Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life is a wonderful, entertaining resource for writers. But make sure you take a look through your writer’s bookshelf, to avoid doubling up.

DVDs about writing. If you a book about writing isn’t the best gift, consider getting a DVD about a favorite published author. The one pictured, for instance, contains Anne Lamott’s interviews, public lectures, readings, and other footage. It’s a great gift idea for writers, poets, and published authors — especially if they’re fans of Anne Lamott!

If you have any questions or thoughts on the best gifts for writers, poets, and published authors — I welcome your comments below!