25+ Holiday Presents for Screenwriters | 2023
Everyone seems to be scrambling for last minute presents this time of year, so I figured I would put together a list of gifts perfect for the screenwriter in your life… Even if that screenwriter is you 😉 The first several books should be familiar to you if you follow my page (for good reason!) so keep scrolling if you’re looking for something new ☺️
Please find below a delightful list of books, tools, and treats! Some of which you so helpfully suggested via my Instagram 😉
Before we get too far though…
Now - back to the article…
~ 1 ~
The Hollywood Standard
by Christopher Riley
Yes, you’ve seen me promote this before, and with good reason. Every Screenwriter should have this book on their shelf. Formatting is half the battle when it comes to getting your script read and taken seriously. This is my go-to guide to make sure all my formatting is up to snuff.
~ 2 ~
Story
by Robert McKee
This sucker is DENSE - I’m still working my way through slowly. Nevertheless every time I pick this baby up I invariably come away with some useful tip to improve my work. Highly reccomend!
~ 3 ~
Boutique Script Coverage
Yep. Shameless plug #1: My boutique script coverage is on sale! This makes a great gift for the screenwriter in your life OR a great gift for yourself.
Use code ‘HAPPYHOLIDAYS’ for $50 OFF until December 31st.
All coverage purchased with this code can be used any time in 2024.
Buy now, use later and get a built in boost of motivation with the 1 year deadline for use!
~ 4 ~
The Anatomy of Story
by John Truby
If you have any anxiety about story structure this is the book for you. John Truby has some excellent insight into how we build stories and offers a more ‘organic’ way to view typical structure.
~ 5 ~
The Artist’s Way
by Julia Cameron
The Artist’s Way is a lovely book to help any kind of creative - screenwriter, painter, what have you! I pull various exercises from this book to use with my clients (including The Morning Pages). If you’re feeling burned out or like you could use a little more creative nourishment from a lady with long flowing grey hair who probably grows weed in her back yard, this is the book for you.
~ 6 ~
Subscription to
The Hollywood Reporter
Any screenwriter would be pleased with a subscription to The Hollywood Reporter. It’s bougie (take a look at that price tag 👀), it looks AH-Mazing on your coffee table, and, oh yeah - it has leading information and high quality articles on the latest in the industry.
~ 7 ~
The Hero Succeeds
by Kam Miller
~ 8 ~
The War of Art
by Steven Pressfield
This is the slimmest little book - perfect for a little bathroom reading 👀
The chapters are tiny but impactful. Fun fact: Steven Pressfield literally wrote this book for Robert McKee!! Apparently McKee is a terrible procrastinator.
You may have seen a number of other high-profile creatives tout this book, including Ryan Holiday, who reads it before embarking on any new creative project.
~ 9 ~
The Script Surge Checklist 1.0
Is this a blatant plug? Yes.
Is it a tool I genuinely believe in? Also yes.
This 40-item checklist is a must for every new screenwriter. It covers a majority of the most common errors I see in the works people send to me to review. I will be continuing to update and use this puppy myself, for sure.
Seriously, using this checklist is a no-brainer. It might not garuntee you win the Nicholls, but it will definitely help your story be seen in the best light and ensure whatever coverage you receive is focused on higher-quality feedback rather than annoying busywork.
~ 10 ~
Subscription to
The Tracking Board
If you live in LA and are looking for industry employment, this is a great place to find it. High level industry jobs are posted here on the regular, along with information on what spec scripts have just gone up for sale, which projects are currently in development and more. Highly recommend.
$79/year
~ 11 ~
Full Stick Post-it Notes
If you’ve caught a glimpse of the wall next to my desk you’ve probably seen it covered with a slew of these post-it notes. These are FULL STICK (meaning the entire back is covered with adhesive instead of just a strip) which makes them excellent for adhering to seemingly every LA apartment’s orange-peal paint finish.
~ 12 ~
The BEST Highlighters
As someone who has used an absurd amount of highlighters marking up a huge variety of screenplays and stage plays - these are the best ones I have ever encountered. Screenwriters, Actors, Creatives of all kinds could definitely benefit from having a fresh set.
~13~
Brass Screenplay Fasteners
The classic (and standard) way to present a screenplay is three hole punched with one brass fastener in the top and bottom holes, leaving the middle empty. Don’t ask me why.
~ 14 ~
Head Scratcher
Staring at a backlit screen for hours at a time can do a number on your scalp muscles. I must admit I do love pulling this out from time to time and loosening up my scalp. I might look like an idiot, but it feels amazing.
~ 15 ~
6 Months of The Ultimate Screenwriter’s Support Coaching
You can completely transform your life in 6 months - no lie (no cap?). Using The Ultimate Screenwriter’s Support Coaching package gets you 6 months of 1-on-1 coaching with me, your dedicated writing coach, Kate. We start with a custom intro session to dive deep into your desires and come up with a plan to achieve them! We meet every other week for either a 1/2 hour or 1 hour. Bonus: Once a month I’ll look over your writing and provide notes to help further guide your journey.
~16 ~
6 Months of Pure Accountability Coaching
Is The Ultimate Writing Support a bit rich for your blood?
Want help but at a lower price point?
Pure Accountability is for you.
Get the full hour intro session just like The Ultimate Writing Support to determine goals, wants, needs and get a custom built plan to help you achieve it all. Have someone there to help keep you on track and troubleshoot what’s working and what needs to change.
This is a great gift for the screenwriter in your life who keeps talking about writing but can’t seem to get anything done. BONUS: No shipping required 😉
~ 17 ~
Heated Neck & Back Massager
An old roommate introduced me to this beauty (I have the one in cream) - I tell you this has helped work out a number of debilitating tension headaches. I love this thing. The heat is an extra special touch.
Thank you Chelsea 👀
~ 18 ~
Year At A Glance Calendar
Every year I grab one of these year-at-a-glance calendars. Time seems to move faster and faster as I get older - keeping an eye on the year at large (or as I sometimes refer to it. a “Time-Map”) helps keep me oriented and calibrate what I can reasonably accomplish.
One of my favorite ways to use this is in conjunction with “The Seinfeld Method” - Basically pick a task to keep track of (for Seinfeld it was every day he worked on a joke) and you’re only allowed to X out the day if you’ve worked on that task. His goal was to not break the chain of X’s! Last year my X was, every day I worked on my business - Yours could be every day you work on your screenplay!
I cannot emphasize enough how much I love this visual system. It’s extra special helpful for those with ADHD.
~ 19 ~
Little Labels
These are the perfect size for the aforementioned Year At A Glance Calendar ⬆️
I have a custom print out put together for the year with important dates. Things like friends and family member’s birthdays, the solstice & equinoxes, bank holidays and more! When things are neat and easily visible it just makes life less stressful!
~ 20 ~
Blue Blocking Glasses
There’s a lot of debate about blue blockers, but as someone who stares at a screen for an inordinate amount of time, I do find these help with eye strain. Plus there’s lots of cute inexpensive frames!
~ 21 ~
Build Your Own Binder
I do not have one of these, but I want one desperately. It’s from Leuchtturm1917, so I know it has to be high quality. Basically this is a little spring back DIY binder. It seems like it would be perfect for corralling all your physical notes for the next screenplay. Since I prefer to work with my hands in physical space as much as possible in this digital world - this seems like a brilliant little tool.
~ 22 ~
Murdy Creative Co.
Refillable Leather Binder
From @romavicta - this is an absolutely incredibly gift idea for the screenwriter in your life. Murdy Creative Co. can create a custom leather binding for your loved one’s screenplay:
“One of my favorite things I’ve ever gotten was this beautiful leather binding for my script. They also do custom printing on it like a title page. I was very pleased with it and it made me feel more proud of finishing a draft.”
What a sweet idea! Thanks so much for sharing :)
Bonus: It’s also a small business!
~ 23 ~
Hair Clips
How the hell am I supposed to write the next great American masterpiece and smash the patriarchy at the same time if my hair is getting in the way? Obviously, it can’t be done, so oh no, I have to get a cute little hair accessory to help me out 😉 Also: Great stocking stuffer!
~ 24 ~
Leuchtturm1917 Journal
These babies right here are what I use for my Morning Pages every day. This notebook is sturdy, comes with labels for archiving, has great pages which don’t bleed and can stand up to being toted around the world. I’ve tried a variety of notebooks in my time, but I keep coming back to these ones. Highly recommend.
Note: You might want to poke around Amazon for these - there are a variety of listings with different colors, some of which go out of stock from time to time.
~ 25 ~
Washi Tape
It’s washi tape - need I say more? I love using this to decorate my notes or affix articles/ images/ post-its that have lost their stick.
~ 26 ~
Bullet Journal
On the trend of physical organizational items, I highly recommend the official Bullet Journal. The Bullet Journal has 3 different colored ribbons to help keep you on track, features a dot grid matrix for you to build and customize your layout however you like. Pinterest is full of oodles of BuJo layout ideas. A great gift for folks who love planners and are rather particular about how theirs function.
~ 27 ~
Pomodoro Desk Timer
Having a physical timer is definitely not necessary since we all have them on our phones, but something like this definitely counts as a little treat. It’s also a great stocking stuffer or a little present all on it’s own. Something like this is super helpful to take a step away from your phone and all the distractions within! Just turn the timer to set it, shut off your distractions and get to work!
~ 28 ~
Subscription to Variety
A known “Industry Trade,” Variety is a great gift for any screenwriter (one they’re unlikely to purchase for themselves). It comes in Print, Print+Digital, and VIP subscriptions.
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