2025 Writer's Holiday Wish List

Our 2025 guest bloggers have shared fascinating tips and wonderful practical advice all year long. But they aren't done!

We've asked them to select the perfect items to put at the tipity-top of every writer's holiday wish list. Peruse their selections to find the best writerly tools to improve your writing space, catapult your creativity, and make your 2026 writing activities sparkle.   

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Kirsten Larson:
​I'm in love with this mousepad with wrist rest. When I upgraded my office set up to include an ergonomic keyboard and mouse, I started to develop wrist pain where the bone of my wrist hit my desk. This mousepad is cushiony and positions my wrist comfortably. My pain is gone. Added bonus — it’s nonslip and pretty.

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Kirsten W. Larson is the acclaimed author of over 30 nonfiction books for young readers, including The Fire of Stars (Chronicle Books, 2023), and This Is How You Know: How Science Happens (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, 2025). Learn more about Kirsten here. 

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Kristi Mahoney:
When looking for a gift for a creative person (or yourself), you can’t go wrong with a handmade gift from the heart. Last year I made these vintage inspired, personalized, coasters for the 24 Carrot Crew. They provide the perfect home for your favorite writing beverage, and also serve as a reminder of something that brings joy – two things every writer needs!

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Supplies/Instructions
1. Square tiles – I used ones from a vintage store, but check your local hardware store
2. Tracing paper (for more vintage feel) or regular printer paper 
3. Dishwasher Safe Mod Podge & foam brush
4. Small ¾ inch felt furniture pads 
Print out personalized picture to size on tracing paper. Cut/apply picture to tile using the Mod Podge instructions. After drying, apply felt pads to the bottom corners of each coaster. Enjoy!
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Kristi Mahoney is a 24 Carrot Writing regular contributor and the author of Alpacas Make Terrible Librarians (Gnome Road, 2024) and its sequel, Owls Make Terrible Teachers (Gnome Road, 2026). Learn more about Kristi here. 

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Emma Dhesi:
This year, my gift to writers is already in your pocket - your phone’s voice app! When inspiration strikes (even mid–Christmas lunch prep or while wrapping presents), just hit record and dictate your idea. A line of dialogue, a plot twist, or a flash of genius. Then, copy the transcript and ask ChatGPT (it's free!) to turn it into prose with punctuation and formatting. You’ll never lose a brilliant idea again, and you’ll capture your creativity in the moment it sparkles. A simple, free tool -  and a writer’s best holiday friend. ​

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Emma Dhesi is the Amazon bestselling author of four novels and one non-fiction book. She writes stories for women who know life is never simply black and white, and who love characters that feel layered, honest, and real. Her upcoming The Medicine (Rowanbrae Press, 2026) will launch in March.  To learn more about Emma visit her website. 

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Michele Regenold:
 I love using a beautiful notebook with thick, lined paper, like these from Decomposition, when I need to do some writing-related thinking. The movement of the hand across the page helps new ideas grow. 

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Michele Regenold is an Author Accelerator-certified book coach specializing in MG and YA fiction. She helps writers with big ambitions realize their goals through 1:1 coaching. Michele is a writer herself, and is represented by Mary Cummings with Great River Literary. Contact Michele on her website.

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Kelly Carey:
When I’m mulling over a difficult plot point or wrestling with a tricky revision, I sometimes catch myself wringing my hands. To make this habit more productive, I like to add a dollop of creamy Farm & Sea lotion. The soothing scent helps relax my mind, while the shea butter softens my hands—readying them to dance across the keyboard once inspiration strikes. Bonus points if you choose a scent that matches the setting of your latest manuscript.

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Kelly Carey is an award-winning children’s fiction author from New England. Her debut picture book, How Long Is Forever? (Charlesbridge, 2020), illustrated by Qing Zhuang, received a glowing review from Kirkus and was named a MUST READ by the Mass Center for the Book. She is the co-founder of 24 Carrot Writing and is represented by Sharon Belcastro of the Belcastro Agency.  Learn more about Kelly here. 

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Amanda Smith:
Two truths about writers are that we love books and we are extremely generous. Because of our generosity, we often lend out our beloved books - and sometimes they do not find their way back to us. A personal library stamp is a great way to gently remind the borrower that the book was indeed not a gift, and already has a loving home. Personalized stamps can be ordered from Simply Stamps or Etsy.

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Amanda Smith is a co-founder of 24 Carrot Writing. Her poems can be found in Bless the Earth (Convergent Books, 2024) and the Writer's Loft Anthologies, Gnomes and Ungnomes: Poems of Hidden Creatures (2023) and Friends and Anemones: Ocean Poems for Children (2020) To learn more about Amanda, visit here.

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