[Updated by Soeun Lee in October 2026.]
Finding a great gift for a young writer doesn’t have to mean buying another notebook or a stack of books from Barnes & Noble. The best gifts can inspire creativity, make writing more enjoyable, or help a young writer develop their skills. Here are 26 ideas, from practical writing supplies to creative experiences.
Every writer can benefit from a seasoned author’s advice. My personal favorite is this classic by Stephen King. King’s advice is practical and straightforward, interspersed with memories from his life through which you see his writing style in action. You do not need to be a King fan, or even a horror fan, to benefit from this book. Other instructional books I have enjoyed and recommend include “Bird by Bird” by Anne Lamott and “Big Magic” by Elizabeth Gilbert.
Penguin Books tote bags, such as this one featuring the cover of Virginia Woolf's A Room of One’s Own, are a classic gift idea for young writers or book lovers. A tote bag is endlessly useful for carrying notebooks, pens, a laptop, and other supplies when you are writing on the go, and these bags allow writers to celebrate their favorite authors or novels at the same time.
Give the gift of inspiration with Writers on Earth, a published collection of reflections, essays, stories, and poems by the incredible young writers in the Write the World community. The book includes 33 pieces, hand-selected by the Write the World editors.
Story cubes provide a fun way to turn random ideas into stories. Each roll can provide a character, setting, object, or situation the writer must incorporate into a story. Story cubes are especially useful when someone is struggling with writer’s block.
A storyboarding kit with index cards, a reusable board, and markers can help writers visualize scenes and organize the structure of a story. It is particularly useful for writers working on novels, comics, screenplays, or other longer projects.
There is a time and a place for expensive leather-bound notebooks, but I find them a bit too precious for daily use. For heavy-duty writing sessions, I prefer a durable spiral notebook like this one by Rite in the Rain. Sometimes you need the flexibility of writing by hand, and this notebook is a faithful companion that can withstand a spilled beverage or unpredictable weather if writing outdoors.
I recommend noise-canceling earbuds or headphones to block out background noise during a writing session. Headphones are a necessity to drown out conversations in libraries and coffee shops, and I also find that listening to music while I write gets me in the mood for a scene. Earbuds are my preference for portability, but some people prefer the comfort of headphones.
A personalized book embosser lets a young writer mark their personal library with their own name or a custom design. It’s a unique gift for someone who loves collecting books and loves building their own bookshelf. I received one for Christmas last year, and honestly, I’ve been stamping every single book I own with that. However, I don’t recommend this for literary enthusiasts who prefer their book to stay brand new.
I don’t recommend Scrivener for everyone, but I can guarantee a serious, tech-savvy writer will love its unique features. Many well-known authors swear by the program, while others prefer a simpler approach. Scrivener is a word processor, outliner, corkboard, and notebook all in one. It allows you to keep notes and pictures on file, write a story in chunks at a time, easily rearrange scenes, set target word counts, and export your work in whatever format you need.
Getting into a creative headspace can be a tricky thing, especially when you are writing at home with lots of distractions. Something that can help to set the mood for writing, such as a quirky candle or a moon lamp, could be a great gift idea for young writers.
For a writer who enjoys hand writing, a fountain pen can make writing feel like a special experience. A beginner-friendly fountain pen paired with a bottle of ink can be both practical and memorable. Pair that with a few sheets of parchment paper and the writing aesthetic is complete.
This simple gift is a great stocking stuffer and an absolute must for many writers. From making quick notes to laying out plot points in a story to planning a character arc, sticky notes can be a crucial tool in the writing process. Grab a pack made from recycled paper for a more sustainable option.
Do you know someone who is writing their college essay? Put their mind at ease with Write the World’s College Essay Review Service, which provides detailed, personalized feedback within 48 hours. Even the best writer needs an expert editor on their side!
A book nook is a miniature scene designed to sit between books on a shelf. These kits allow young writers and book lovers to build tiny libraries, bookstores, streets, or other literary-inspired scenes while creating something they can display afterward. I personally have wanted one for the longest time, and when my friend finally bought a book nook kit for me, I was absolutely elated.
I love journals and literary magazines, as they are a great way to read a variety of work and stay up to date with what’s happening in the writing world. Consider getting them a subscription to a magazine like The New Yorker, Granta, or The Paris Review—who knows, they may even be featured themselves one day!
If you like the sound of a subscription-based gift but would prefer something more interactive, I’d recommend this educational membership from Reedsy. It includes 12 months of access to virtual conferences on writing and publishing, plus weekly masterclasses on specific topics. At $399, it’s a bit of a splurge — but it’s perfect for any young writer who wants to learn more about the industry.
A magnetic bookmark for readers and writers is a simple but thoughtful gift that keeps a writer’s place without slipping out of books or notebooks. These book accessories for young writers work well for novels, writing craft books, and journals, making them practical everyday tools for avid readers.
Erasable pens for students and writers are ideal for drafting by hand, revising notes, and brainstorming without fear of mistakes. They’re especially useful for teens who like to edit freely while keeping their pages clean and organized.
A writing prompt jar filled with unusual characters, situations, settings, and story ideas can inspire your loved one whenever they don’t know what to write. You can even make one yourself and fill it with original prompts. To provide a fun little spark to it, feel free to decorate the jar with ribbons and sparkles! Here are some journal jar ideas from Pinterest.
A puzzle based on a famous book, author, library, or literary scene can be a fun gift for those who enjoy reading as much as writing (and maybe even puzzle-solving!). Puzzles offer a creative activity they can enjoy whenever they take a break from writing.
A mini Bluetooth sticker printer or inkless portable thermal printer lets students and writers print drafts, poems, or feedback directly from their phone or laptop. It’s a great writing productivity tool for annotating work by hand or sharing writing with peers and mentors.
A laptop bag for students and writers with built-in organizer pockets makes it easy to carry notebooks, pens, chargers, and books all in one place. This is an especially useful gift for writers who work on the go at libraries, cafés, or writing workshops.
I’ve personally never received one, but I’ve always wanted something like this. A typewriter-style keyboard combines the appearance of an old-fashioned typewriter with the convenience of a modern computer. It can make writing at a desk feel more creative without giving up digital editing abilities and storage options.
A quality highlighter set for students and writers is perfect for revising drafts, marking favorite lines, and color-coding plot points or character arcs. These revision tools for writers are especially helpful during editing and peer review.
Pen holder clips for notebooks attach directly to journals or planners, ensuring writers always have a pen nearby when inspiration strikes. These small writing accessories also make excellent stocking stuffers for young writers and students.
Write the World Summer Writing Camps are a meaningful, experience-based gift for teens who love to write. These summer writing camps offer interactive, instructor-led workshops where students explore poetry, fiction, and personal narrative and receive expert feedback. As one of the leading creative writing programs, Write the World camps are held virtually, making them accessible to young writers worldwide.