Holiday Gift Ideas for Children’s Book Authors
Shopping for a children’s book author, or author-to be, this holiday season?
Here are some ideas to make the gift-giving a bit easier…
One of the best and most lasting gifts, of course, is the gift of education. I offer gift certificates for my Just Write for Kids home study course in writing picture books, as well as for a year’s membership in the Children’s Book Hub.  You can provide the kidlit author in your life with the tools to write a picture book manuscript in just 8 weeks, or year-long membership in a community of fellow children’s book lovers on the path to publication, as well as all the resources to achieve their goals.
For gift certificate requests, please email me atÂ
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I Â also recommend the following products and services as other valuable educational gifts to give!
*For just $6, a month you can purchase a subscription to the Children’s Book Insider newsletter. Jon Bard and Laura Backes have big plans in store for the New Year, so this would be a great time to sign up…
*Julie Hedlund’s12 x 12 Picture Book Challenge is just beginning to accept applications for 2014! This is a supportive and motivated community of picture book writers, taking on the challenge of writing one picture book a month, or twelve a year… and being given the chance to pitch to agents along the way.
*For the aspiring Middle Grade or Young Adult novelist, the wonderful, funny and inspiring book Writing Irresistible Kidlit by Mary Kole. is an easy-to-read how-to, packed with valuable insights. Click here to purchase on Amazon, or ask your local bookstore to order it for you.
*If your aspiring children’s book writer has already written several manuscripts and is closer to publication, provide him or her with one (or several) of the wonderful Katie Davis’ services. Katie is an expert when it comes to marketing and promotion – take a look at her Video Idiot Boot Camp – a must for writers, as well as her book How to Promote Your Children’s Book: Tips, Tricks and Secrets to Create a Bestseller.
And for fun, check out these other gift ideas for kidlit lovers:
The Literary Gift Company has everything from handbags to jewelry made from beloved books (Winnie the Pooh!), plus mugs, clothing and other items declaring writerly status. Â http://www.theliterarygiftcompany.com/
The Bookish Life on Etsy.com has recycled book jewelry, Christmas ornaments and more, much of which is children’s book-centric. Check out their Harry Potter, Peter Pan, Twilight & Alice bracelets as well as their Christmas baubles!
For those who need a little affirmation, how about the Classic Writer’s hat at the WritersStore.com?
What do your favorite books say about you? Your Ideal Bookshelf can be custom painted in an 8X10 print. Jane Mount paints portraits of people through the spines of their favorite books: the ones that changed your life, that defined who you are, that you read again and again.
Of course, there are a ton of other gift ideas for the children’s book writer in your life – from a donation to a literacy charity, to yoga classes, childcare, or Freedom software that protects them from email and social media interruptions while writing… but hopefully this list will spark some imagination in support of children’s book writers and their quest to provide great books for kids in 2014.  And if you’ve got any other great ideas, please share them here!
