Hello fellow Children’s Writers and friends,

Believe it or not, it is time for Journeygirl to don her Santa hat and help all of you Christmas elves put a smile on your writer spouse, friend, child or parent’s face. Unlike the last two years I have not chosen favourite items for you, but opened the proverbial writing lolly shops to you, so that you and/or your favourite writer can choose for yourself from the multitude of gift options available. You can of course still physically go to any good bookstore, stationery seller, travel agent or Writing Centre to secure that sure to delight trinket, to place in the giant Christmas stocking hanging in front of your firepl…. Oh OK, air conditioner and I encourage you to do so. These establishments, however, are all virtual so dust off  your credit card and… quoting an old TV game show host, ‘Let’s go shopping’.

Etsy– (www.etsy.com) enter here to find jewellery, candles, t-shirts, decals, notebooks, cups and prints just to name a few of the many delights available.

Cafe Press– (www.cafepress.com) is just plain fun, browsing here alone, is sure to bring a giggle to the lips of writers, teachers, engineers, dads, or anyone really. The categories are endless and you can even design your own. Find t-shirts, baby clothes and homewares.

Amazon– (www.amazon.com) No surprises here, surely you expected me to suggest Amazon for the simple reason that there actually are multiple surprises here. Amazon’s just perfect for finding mugs, journals, ornaments, books, drink bottles and of course the amazing Aqua Notes and other waterproof pads, pens and pencils.

Uncommon Goods – (https://www.uncommongoods.com) where you’ll find inspirational pencils, wooden inkless pens, ‘settle down’ penmanship pillow, scarves, a tear off notepaper roller and a range of customisabile goods from Picture Books to platters

Storiarts– ( storiarts.com) This website is new to me but has some delightfully clever and classy items for the more astute writer including scarves, writing gloves, cushions etc with quotes or text from the classics.

Out of Print Clothing Company (outofprintclothing.com) – is also a new find for me with both the classic and the unusual . Here you can expect to see more clothing, mugs and jewellery as well as bags, pencil cases and matchboxes.

Bookfox (https://thejohnfox.com/2016/12/gifts-for-writers/ )- So this is not strictly a shop. In fact it’s not one at all, but it is another blog which has some great gift ideas which are as host himself says, ‘unusual… with no coffee mugs in sight’.

The Literary Gift Company (theliterarygiftcompany.com) on the other hand has mugs, mugs and more mugs as well as every other thing you could imagine for writers including homewares, stationery, jewellery, clothing, accessories, gag gifts, posters and even the paper to wrap your gift choices in.

And the number one Christmas location where you can find the perfect gift for writers, readers and their little ones this year, has to be- right here! For it is here that you will find The Creative Kids Tales Short Story Collection. This wonderful collection of 50+ stories from over 40 aspiring and emerging Australian authors includes one from the Journeygirl herself! Just comment below leaving your email address, or PM me, Artelle Lenthall on Facebook if you are interested in purchasing a copy for the incredible price of $15

Finally, if that scintillating shopping spree hasn’t been enough to get you into the Christmas spirit then I’m sure the following announcement will. To celebrate both the season and the launch of The Creative Kids Tales Story Collection, I am giving away a copy of this amazing anthology to one lucky person who comments below. Merry Christmas everyone and I hope you will join me, on the road to publication again in 2018.

Farewell fellow travellers,
Savour the quest,
Journeygirl

PS Wishing you a happy, healthy and safe holiday season