Giving Researchers Free, Helpful Writing-Related Gifts

Hello again. Welcome to one of our last blog posts of 2012.

This time of year, many of us celebrate holidays for which we exchange gifts. In recent years, I’ve noticed that the set of gifts I give weighs less than before.

The main reason: Some of the gifts are now electronic. They include, for example, e-books and electronic gift cards.

E-gifts needn’t be costly. In fact, some are free. And some of the best virtual gifts are gifts of expertise or service.

The end of a year, or beginning of a new year, can be a good time to give students or colleagues virtual gifts that can help in writing or publishing. Here are 3 such gifts that won’t cost money:

• If a researcher isn’t aware of AuthorAID, tell him or her about it, and encourage him or her to join. An AuthorAID membership is a gift that can continue to give, week after week after week.
• Look in the AuthorAID Resource Library, and identify some resources that a student or colleague could find especially useful. Then provide a list of the resources, including links.
• Offer a gift of service. For example, provide a “gift card” that a young colleague can redeem for having you review a draft. Or if you’re not an AuthorAID mentor, sign up to be one. If you’ve signed up but don’t have a mentee, seek one.

For researchers, knowledge can be the greatest gift. Consider giving some gifts such as those above.

Until the next post—

Barbara