Free Christmas Gifts for Writers

Golden Christmas by krisdekurtis Creative Commons

Feeling a little destitue as a struggling writer? Collect these freebies and you'll be feeling richer in no time.

1. A pen for those random bursts of genius.

2. Free Entry in Hallmark's "Your Parenthood Contest." Deadline December 7, 2008.

3. Free ebooks. To go with the ereader you're hoping to get for Christmas.

4. Free postage and digital scale at the post office for sending out all those query letters.

5. Free coffee for when you need something to throw at the wall.

6. Free tea for the calmer, more benevelant essays.

7. Free snack for the munchies.

Some annoying surveys may apply. Don't sign up if you don't want junk mail. I, however, have recently begun collecting all the coupons on planet earth, so it's all good for me.

Or if you're looking for stuff to actually buy, check out my Top Ten Christmas Gifts for Writers list from last year.

Best of Writer's Digest CDs

Anyone besides me have tons of old Writer's Digests lounging around the house? I'm starting to feel like one of those people who end up with a small path through mounds of paper.

But I often go back to them to reference things like the 101 Best Websites for Writers and other articles I've found useful. But they take up lots of space, and sometimes I can't find the article I want.

Now Writer's Digest magazine is offering several CDs collecting the best of their magazine content.

• The Writer's Digest 2007 Compilation CD has everything published in the magazine for 2007 - articles, interviews, columns - the whole shebang for $14.95 with free shipping.
• The Writer's Ultimate Resource Guide 2008 CD lists markets, websites, and agents looking for new writers. It's also $14.95.
• Writer's Digest Presents: The Best of WD Interviews CD collects interviews in the magazine's history, again for $14.95.

Don't get me wrong; I prefer flipping through the pages of the magazine itself. But they are starting to stack up. And since I do most of my work on the computer, I think I'll actually use them. If you don't use your computer much, it's probably just best to renew your subscription for the paper version for around $20 bucks.

Top Ten Christmas Gifts for Writers

Everyone is asking me what I want for Christmas, so I thought I 'd share some items the writer on your list might like. Forgive me if I'm a cliche, but it's fun to dream. If I won the lottery. . . Christina Katz also has a great list at her site.

1. Sony ebook reader ($250 -300) or Amazon's Kindle ($400.00)

2. Gift basket: paper (minimum 20lbs quality), gift card to an office supply store, pens, small notebooks to carry around and jot ideas, $5.00 gift card to Bread Co/coffee shop with wifi, bookstore gift card, #10 envelopes, 9x12 envelopes, stamps - any combo ($30-?)

3. Subscription to mediabistro.com: They have how to pitch articles with the inside scoop on magazines and a great freelance job board. ($49.00)

4. Subscription to writersmarket.com: Lists writing markets and contact info on countless magazines and book publishers (One year is $29.00, two years is 44.99. Or pay by the month at $3.99 so they can see if they like it.

5. Christina Katz book Writer Mama: How to Raise a Writing Career Alongside Your Kids - an outstanding book for beginning writers plus great tips for those already published. She also has a great list of other writing books on her website. (10.19 plus shipping)

6. Writer's Digest ($19.96) or Poets and Writers Magazine ($14.97)

7. Laptop, if you have the funds for such things (they have some great sales at Dell right now)

8. Glimmer Train subscription - great short story writing to inspire the writer within

9. If your writer is aspiring to magazines, an online course at The Renegade Writer would be a great start for the new year (around $120 for a basic course).

10. My manservant, Manolo