Can You Make a Personal Book as a Gift?
Giving gifts is lovely, seeing someone light up when you hit the mark. And for many, the more personal the present, the more it resonates with them as something extraordinary. But it’s also challenging to know what to get someone exactly and requires you to be attentive to their interests and needs (which is hard to do if you want to surprise them!)
Buying gifts also gets expensive, and for us starving artist authors, we can’t always break the bank on birthdays or over the holidays. But what we can do is write! And what’s more personal than creating a story about someone as a gift? I can almost guarantee that no one has ever given them a book starring the giftee!
Who’s This Gift For?
When you approach your story, it’s important to know how you want to present it, which means you need to know your audience. You’re not going to write a sci-fi short story for your 5-year-old nephew; you can make a picture book for them.
Knowing that you can determine how much work you want to put into the entire process. Sure, you’re not necessarily paying too much to write and edit a story, then have it printed.
Still, if you suddenly get lost writing an epic fantasy about your romantic partner for your anniversary, that’s a big time commitment (but hey, maybe that inspires your latest publishing endeavor?), and your time is worth something!
So if you’re trying to keep it simple and affordable, make a plan of action, and maybe check out some sites that offer services for simpler books:
Sites like this one offer some simple books as gifts for any occasion. It’s chiefly geared towards romantic relationships, but you can cater it to anyone in your life. It’s got a basic premise and process, allowing you to make a cute, personal keepsake for a modest price. But if you want to make something a bit more involved and creative, best to look elsewhere.
Alternatively, you could look into sites that print small quantities of books, unlike sourcing an indie publisher that will want to make many copies for retail. You can customize your cover and the content, then just get your one-of-a-kind novel sent back to you, ready to gift!
That said, this does get pricier, so if you’re trying to work on a budget, this may not be your desired option. You can also check out this great post from reedsy, where they share some DIY bookmaking. Otherwise, go for it and make a quality, memorable story for someone you love!
Alternatives
If you’re trying to keep things affordable, check out local printers or the library for printing services. You may not get a fancy cover design or bound, hardcover novel, but at least the story is printed. For many gifts, it’s the thought that counts, after all (and you can always afford a higher-quality print job later in life!)
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Commit Your Loved One to the Page
Once you know how to present your story, it’s time to write! Again, in the interest of your time, keep it brief. If you’re going for a kid’s book style, that will inherently happen. However, if you choose to write a more extended narrative, consider a novelette or a short story that sends your subject on an exciting adventure.
You also want to remember the kind of story they would like to read so they actually enjoy the book you’re depicting them in because it is important to focus on your subject. Infuse the story with as many true-to-life reactions they would have were they a character in your stories.
Are they the type to be heroic, or would they instead support someone else? Do they love to solve a good mystery by following clues, or would they head to a library for research? Writing this is an opportunity to get to know your subject without giving away what sort of gift you’re making.
Making a gift as unique as a personally-written story will make a mark. But be mindful: Not everyone likes books or would enjoy being the center of attention as the hero of a story! So while this presents an exciting, affordable gift prospect for writers and illustrators everywhere, you need to know your subject’s tastes before committing to the process.
But if you have someone you know who would love to be in a book, I wish you all the best in making a personal book a gift! You may even create an exciting new scenario or world that could spin off into your next big novel! If you have any thoughts on this, feel free to reach out on social media or at jsims@jairesims.com.
About Jaire Sims
Award-Winning YA Author, Course Creator, Blogger, and Self-Publishing Consultant. At twenty-one and as a junior in college, Jaire was diagnosed with Asperger’s Syndrome. Fast forward one year, Jaire proved that he had overcome all of the challenges he had faced up until this point by graduating from Monmouth College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Studies.
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