Are you looking for gifts or books for teen writers? If you have a young aspiring writer in your life, you’re in the right place! In this blog post, you’ll find books, activities, and gift ideas for teenage writers and hopeful authors that want to improve their skills.
When I was a teenager, I loved to write. I wrote stories every chance I got. Some of my fondest memories are of the time I spent in my own head, writing stories that nobody else would ever read. It’s not hard to believe that I wanted to become a writer when I grew up.
Creative writing is a wonderful outlet for teenagers to express themselves. Whether you write fantasy, humor, nonfiction, or something else, writing can take you places that nothing else can.
If you want to encourage a teen writer (or yourself) to improve their abilities, here are some must-have books to give them as well as a couple of super fun gifts they’ll love. These books and gifts make fantastic presents for birthdays, holidays, and special occasions.
Related post: Let’s Get Writing! 13 Picture Books to Encourage Writing
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Must-Have Books for Teen Writers:
101 Story Starters for Teens by Maisy Day
Practice makes perfect! The best way to improve your writing is to write every day. This book contains over 100 first sentences for stories to jump-start your imagination. These are great writing prompts for school assignments, short stories, novellas, or even full-length novels. If you’re looking for a way to improve your fiction writing abilities fast, this book will help you get started.
[button url=”https://amzn.to/3eKMX0v”]Amazon[/button]
How to be a Young #Writer by Christopher Edge and Oxford Dictionaries
So, you want to write a book but don’t know where to start? This book will give you tips, tricks, and advice on how to get ideas, plot your book, and get it written—from start to finish. You’ll get advice on how to beat writer’s block and spot plot holes in your story. There’s even information on how to write stories for different mediums like fanfiction, screenplays, and video games. When it comes to books for teen writers, this is a must-have!
[button url=”https://amzn.to/31qntSo”]Amazon[/button]
Hope in the Mail: Reflections on Writing and Life by Wendelin Van Draanen
Part memoir and part writing guide, this book will help you reach your writing goals. Written specifically for teenagers by an author of more than 30 books, this book will give you the inside scoop on living the life of a writer. From practical writing advice to personal anecdotes from the author, this book will get you fired up and ready to write!
[button url=”https://amzn.to/2BlwtgZ”]Amazon[/button] [button url=”https://bookshop.org/a/5613/9781984894663″]Bookshop.org[/button]
Burn After Writing Teen by Rhiannon Shove
Maybe you’re more interested in writing about yourself than about fictional characters. If that’s the case, then this time-capsule style journal is just the thing. It’s full of questions about you—who you are, where you’re going, what you love, and what you’re passionate about. Some questions are fun and some are serious, but they’re all about YOU.
[button url=”https://amzn.to/2BPIXgI”]Amazon[/button] [button url=”https://bookshop.org/a/5613/9781908211378″]Bookshop.org[/button]
Foreshadow: Stories to Celebrate the Magic of Reading and Writing YA by Emily X.R. Pan and Nova Ren Suma
For true YA fans, this book is a must-have. Originally released on the platform Foreshadow, the 13 stories in this collection celebrate young adult literature and all it has to offer. But this book is more than just a collection of short stories. With introductions and practical writing advice from editors and prominent YA authors, this love letter to young adult fiction will hold a cherished place on young writers’ shelves.
[button url=”https://amzn.to/3n4kszq”]Amazon[/button] [button url=”https://bookshop.org/a/5613/9781643750798″]Bookshop.org[/button]
Spilling Ink: A Young Writer’s Handbook by Anne Mazer and Ellen Potter, illustrated by Matt Phelan
Two authors teamed up to write this funny and informative handbook on writing for young teens. They take you through all the steps of writing a book, from plotting and developing characters to finding your own voice. The advice is simple and practical, making it easy for young writers to apply what they’ve learned to their stories.
[button url=”https://amzn.to/2BhHTT4″]Amazon[/button] [button url=”https://bookshop.org/a/5613/9781596436282″]Bookshop.org[/button]
Merriam Webster’s Everyday Language Reference Set
Every writer needs a good dictionary and thesaurus. This boxed set is invaluable when you want to make sure you’re using a word correctly and in the right context. While this may seem like an unusual gift to give someone, these are must-have books for teen writers. They’ll be thrilled to get them!
[button url=”https://amzn.to/3eYrIby”]Amazon[/button] [button url=”https://bookshop.org/a/5613/9780877793328″]Bookshop.org[/button]
So, You Want to Be a Writer? How to Write, Get Published, and Maybe Even Make it Big! by Vicki Hambleton and Cathleen Greenwood
Not only is this book jam-packed with helpful information and tips about writing, but it also has a list of publishers, magazines, and contests to send your finished work to. Along with practical advice on writing and publishing, this book also includes several examples of authors who published books as teenagers.
[button url=”https://amzn.to/38cFS6A”]Amazon[/button] [button url=”https://bookshop.org/a/5613/9781582703534″]Bookshop.org[/button]
Rip the Page: Adventures in Creative Writing by Karen Benke
Teens looking for new ways to improve their poetry and writing skills will find plenty of inspiration in this book. With activities, exercises, and encouraging letters from famous authors, this workbook makes writing accessible and fun. Writers young and old will find encouragement and inspiration in the pages of this book.
[button url=”https://amzn.to/2Z3r2wb”]Amazon[/button] [button url=”https://bookshop.org/a/5613/9781590308127″]Bookshop.org[/button]
Neon Words: Brilliant Ways to Light Up Your Writing by Marjorie White Pellegrino and Kay Sather
This book is great for group work as well as individual writing. Using activities and exercises, this book will spark your imagination and get you writing. Whether you’re looking for something to help with a creative writing assignment at school or you want to become a writer, this book will give you some tools to work with.
[button url=”https://amzn.to/38ybFPw”]Amazon[/button] [button url=”https://bookshop.org/a/5613/9781433830495″]Bookshop.org[/button]
Fun Writing Gifts They’ll Love:
Leather Journal Writing Notebook
Just about every writer I know loves notebooks. And a leather notebook is the best thing ever. This one is made out of distressed genuine leather, giving it that worn look that I love. The paper is lined, making it a perfect journal or writing notebook. If you’re looking for a special gift to give an aspiring writer, you can’t go wrong with this.
[button url=”https://amzn.to/2ZLKhtv”]Amazon[/button]
The Writer’s Toolbox by Jamie Cat Callahan
Overcome writer’s block, start writing, and add unexpected plot twists to your stories with the help of this fun writing kit. It comes with a booklet of ideas and inspiration, cards to help with descriptions, and exercises to take your writing to new and interesting places. This makes a fantastic gift for writers on holidays, birthdays, or any time of the year.
[button url=”https://amzn.to/2O2nQux”]Amazon[/button] [button url=”https://bookshop.org/a/5613/9780811854290″]Bookshop.org[/button]
A Decorative Sign
Decorate your writing space or bedroom with a fun sign! Teens and adults alike will love hanging up a cute and sassy sign that will tell others when they’re in writing mode. I love this “Careful or You’ll End Up in My Novel” sign and this “Do Not Disturb Writer at Work” sign. Both are cute and can easily hang on a doorknob or your wall.
[button url=”https://amzn.to/2BAB9jn”]Amazon[/button]
Write Now: Creative Writing Kit by Ellie Marney
This writing kit is similar to The Writer’s Toolbox (above). It includes a journal/notebook and 50 writing exercises and prompts to help you start writing. If you’re new to creative writing or looking for a way to jump-start your story, this is a fun way to do it. This kit also makes a fun gift or stocking stuffer for the young writer in your life.
[button url=”https://amzn.to/3e22CHx”]Amazon[/button]
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