Gifts for Writers: 2025 See Jane Write Gift Guide

I think Suleika Jaouad loves journaling even more than I do. In The Book of Alchemy, she explores the art of journaling and shares everything she’s learned about how this life-altering practice can help us tap into that mystical trait that exists in every human: creativity. She has gathered wisdom from one hundred writers, artists, and thinkers in the form of essays and writing prompts. (The See Jane Write book club See Jane Read is coming back in 2026, and this will be our first read of the year!) There’s also a companion journal!

Through essays and prompting questions, GG Renee Hill invites readers to breathe new life into the stories we carry. In Story Work, she leads by example, by penning the raw material of her own life: an upbringing raised by a mother with schizophrenia, and a lifetime of internal and external forces trying to minimize that impact. It was a long, old, heavy story Hill silently carried with her–the powerless girl who lost her voice in the wreckage of her mother’s condition — until she turned to writing and began to change the meaning she’d assigned to her experiences. Explore the transformative practice of creative self-discovery through storytelling. (Another See Jane Read book club pick for 2026!)

I’m a big fan of Jami Attenberg’s yearly #1000WordsofSummer writing challenge, which invites you to write one thousand words daily for two weeks straight. 1000 Words is the book-length extension of this movement. It features advice from more than fifty well-known writers, including New York Times bestsellers, Pulitzer Prize winners, and stars of the literary world. Framing these letters are words of wisdom and encouragement, plus specific strategies, from Attenberg on how to carve out a creative path for yourself all year round. (Yes, the See Jane Read book club will be diving into this one, too!)

My book Find Your Way Back: How to Write Your Way Through Anything is an essay collection that shows how I’ve used writing to cope with everything life has thrown my way — including cancer. And in the book, you’ll also find writing prompts to help you write your way through anything (and to anything) too. If you’re struggling to develop a regular writing regimen, this book can definitely help with that as you use my essays and writing prompts as inspiration.

This collection of personal essays by See Jane Write Collective member Aisha Johnson Adams explores surviving trauma, challenging systems and claiming healing. This Is What Made Me will definitely inspire you to share the stories of what made you, too.

Here’s another gem from a See Jane Write Collective member! Birmingham’s civil rights history is powerful and well-known, but there are so many more tales waiting to be discovered. In Secret Birmingham, Cherith Fluker leads you from the ordinary path to explore the surprising stories that make the Magic City unforgettable as you uncover some of the city’s best-kept secrets. And this book is sure to inspire you to be a tourist in your own town — wherever you live!

You’ll want to get two copies of Eureka, Paprika – one to gift to a child in your life and one to keep for yourself. Yes, this is a children’s book, but its messages of empathy, apology, forgiveness, and kindness are much needed for us adults these days, too. And if you’re a children’s book writer yourself, you’ll enjoy studying how author Margaret Smith Marston (a proud See Jane Write Collective member) brings everyday kitchen items to life to deliver an impactful tale.

I’m a huge fan of Day Designer. With its ideal week charts and daily planning pages that help you plan your days hour-by-hour, the flagship planner can help writers plan exactly when they’re going to work on their masterpieces and show them that it’s possible to write and have a life. If having THIS much structure to your day makes you cringe, don’t worry. There are other layouts available, too.

This year, I tried a planner by Ivory Paper Co. for the first time and I am hooked! Several different layouts are available. I opted for the All-in-One Planner as it gives me space to plan out EVERYTHING. Not only do I have the daily planning pages to schedule my day hour-by-hour, but I can also use the weekly spread to plan out my workouts, outfits, and even social media posts. It also has a designated space for planning your meals and tracking your water consumption.

WordxWord is a quarterly or 3-month accountability planner made for writers. It helps you plan your writing routine, putting writing at the top of your to-do list so you can carve out time for your craft and stay on top of your writing goals. (Check out the See Jane Write blog post about this planner here.)

In addition to the beautiful artwork on the covers, I love that the BeRooted 8×10 notebooks lie flat, which makes for easy writing. The Writer’s Sanctuary Notebook Set will keep you journaling all year long. The affirmation pens not only flow smoothly across the page but also remind you to “Dream It,” “Believe It,” and “Manifest It.” BeRooted also makes planners, puzzles, notecards and more.

If you or a writer on your shopping list is in the Birmingham area, check out my upcoming workshop at ArtPlay. This in-person, 6-week course will help you uncover the stories of your life. This class introduces the art of creative nonfiction, with a focus on memoir writing. You’ll learn how to shape your life experiences into compelling narratives and explore options for sharing or publishing your work. Whether you’re writing for yourself or the world, this class will help you find your voice and tell your story with confidence. (Class begins January 26, 2026. The last day to register is January 18, 2026, or until the class is full. Register here.

A See Jane Write Annual Membership not only gets you access to our weekly write-in sessions, monthly workshops, members-only resource library, and accountability small groups, but you’ll also get two 30-minute one-on-one sessions with me! Learn more HERE.