Still searching for what to get that aspiring -- or sucessful -- mystery writer on your gift list? Consider one of these last minute gift ideas for mystery novelists.
- A subscription to a writing magazine. Publications like Writer Magazine and Writer's Digest offer hints and encouragement to writers of all skill levels. Equally, magazines, such as The Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine feature original mystery stories, such by best-selling authors.
- Blank Journals. No writer can have enough of these. Take my word for it.
- The 2007 Novel and Short Story Writers Market. This is the "Bible" for mystery writers looking to earn money from their writing. It lists agents, book publishers, and periodicals that buy mysteries with information on what they are looking for and how to contact them.
- Books about Writing. On of the best of these is Stephen King's On Writing.
- A Gift Card to an Office Supply Store. Writers are forever running out of paper or printer cartridges, always when they are in the middle of a thought or a productive streak. Help your writer friend out by allowing him or her to stock up on these pesky -- and expensive -- little devils.
- A Nice Meal Out. Writers are notorius hermits, especially when they are in the middle of a new project. Plus, the average working writer earns less than $30,000 per year, which doesn't leave a lot left for expensive meals. If you can't be there yourself, consider a gift certificate from Restaurant.com, good at thousands of restaurants around the country.
- An Amazon Gift Certificate. Who can't find dozens of things to buy on Amazon.com? The site makes it easy for last-minute shoppers by offering gift certificates which they email to your recipient. It's the ultimate in last-minute gifting and always appreciated.
The copyright of the article Gifts for Aspiring Mystery Writers in Mystery/Crime Fiction is owned by Sandy Mitchell. Permission to republish Gifts for Aspiring Mystery Writers in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
