The Effective Author: Gifts for Authors 2019

© 2019 Kebba Buckley Button, MS, OM. World Rights Reserved.

People never seem to know what gifts to give their author friends for the holidays. Here’s some help! Each year, I offer suggestions for items that authors (and you) would love and use, but perhaps you haven’t thought of yet. This year, my theme is LIGHTING.

Yes, I know lamps are everywhere, of all types and sizes. But maybe you haven’t seen these lighting tools. These are an array of my favorites, not a comprehensive list. I am deliberately omitting the least flexible options, such as units that mount above or on your headboard. But if you love those, go with that option. It’s all about what works for you.

1. OttLite® Lamps. Used famously by those who sew by hand, these are also ideal for reading, if you stay sitting in the same place while you are reading. The light is bright and clear, permitting sharp viewing of that needlepoint project, your manuscript, or your new Kindle book. These come in many styles, from tabletop to standing floor lamp/magnifier. Some have an iPad holder. The brand is known for its flexible gooseneck supports, allowing perfect positioning for your project. However, note that when you shift, you will need to readjust the position of the lamp. Their prices range from about $35 to $150.
2. Clip-on Book Lights. Advocated by travel gear suppliers, these literally clip onto your book. They weigh almost nothing and pack easily in your carry-on. These are not my favorite, because you may want to shift your reading position from time to time or hold your book differently. If you wanted it to help you while you crochet, you would need to finagle this type for stability. A newer entry in this market is the Energizer Clip LED Light. This one has a flexible cable about 6” long. It clips onto as much as a half-inch sheaf of pages, or perhaps an iPad mini. Highly packable, it is so small and light that it will not pull on your book. This one retails for about $7.

These next three options will not jump off your book, fall to your chest, or otherwise disturb your reading. They attach to you.

3. Cap Lights. Literally lights on knit caps, these are very bright LED strips on the front of a beanie. These are perfect for tasks where your book/manuscript/sewing project will be held at different angles during your work time. Also, if you want to read at night while sitting on your porch swing, these will keep your head warm as the light moves with your head. A number of companies offer them, for about $10 and up.
4. Hug Lights. These are very lightweight, flexible cable-like lights with bulbs on both ends. They hang around your neck and are adjustable, some models having a clip to hold the ends together near your collarbone. You may need to experiment to get the light pointed correctly at your project. Battery-powered, these retail for $7 and up, with rechargeable models retailing for $14 and up.
5. Headband lamps. These are lightweight headbands with lights built in. They are available for $15 to $25. One company even offers a wide knit headband model, with a rechargeable light, for $23.

Need a gift for an author you love? Light up their life with one of these timely and useful devices! Help them to become ever more The Effective Author^sm.

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Kebba Buckley Button is a stress management expert with a natural healing practice. She also is an ordained minister whose passion is helping people find their Peace Within. She is the author of the award-winning book, Discover The Secret Energized You, available on Amazon, plus plus the 2013 book, Peace Within: Your Peaceful Inner Core, Second Edition. Her newest book is Sacred Meditation: Embracing the Divine, available through her office. Just email SacredMeditation@kebba.com. For an appointment or to ask Kebba to speak for your group: calendar@kebba.com.