Scribbler is a monthly subscription box for writers—specifically novelists and aspiring novelists—created by authors Victoria Scott and Lindsay Cummings. It's filled with items to help facilitate improvement and reach publishing goals, as well as some fun writing-themed goodies.
This box was sent to us at no cost for review purposes. (Check out the review process post to learn more about how we review boxes).
About Scribbler
The Subscription Box: Scribbler
The Cost: $29.99 a month + shipping. Save with 3 and 6-month subscriptions.
The Products: A monthly writing theme, a new release fiction novel, a collectible "writing passport" from the featured author, curated writerly gifts, and an invitation to communicate with a publishing professional (for example, an exclusive YouTube chat).
Ships to: U.S. for $7.99, Canada for $23.99, and worldwide for $33.99 (shipping not available to Mexico and Peru)
Scribbler September 2018 Box Review
This month's writing exercise is a big one! Rather than using this postcard-sized space to get your mind working in the direction of a certain challenge, the prompt is to create an account with the National Novel Writing Month site (National Novel Writing Month is in November) and jot down your goals for that month here. I have participated in the past, but I think I'm going to skip this year because I just had a baby.
Recently, Scribbler began to print info about what's included in the box on the back of the Publishing Process Inside Look booklet (formerly a stapled packet of papers). I'll feature the PPIL properly later, I'm just giving you a snapshot of the back now so you know what to expect from the box.
These little snapshots came stacked on top of this month's novel. They're like clues! I'm so excited to dive into this book and piece together what these might mean.
Sadie by Courtney Summers — Retail Value $17.99 (Found on sale here for $12.32)
I'm not yet halfway through 'Sadie' but I'm so here for this novel! Don't get me wrong, it's totally gut-wrenching, but A) Sadie is such a likable character, and B) it's very grabbing in this era of compelling podcasts. Its sections alternate between a podcast and Sadie's own account, and I love that the sections are short enough that you don't forget what was going on in the previous "world" in the midst of reading the other POV.
Book Summary on Amazon:
A New York Times bestseller!
4 Starred Reviews from Kirkus, School Library Journal, Booklist, Publishers Weekly!"Sadie: a novel for readers of any age, and a character as indelible as a scar. Flat-out dazzling." ―A. J. Finn, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Woman in the Window
"Sadie is an electrifying, high-stakes road trip. Clear your schedule. You're not going anywhere until you've reached the end." ―Stephanie Perkins, New York Times bestselling author of There's Someone Inside Your House and Anna and the French Kiss
"A haunting, gut-wrenching, and relentlessly compelling read." ―Veronica Roth, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Carve the Mark and the Divergent seriesA missing girl on a journey of revenge. A Serial―like podcast following the clues she's left behind. And an ending you won't be able to stop talking about.
Sadie hasn't had an easy life. Growing up on her own, she's been raising her sister Mattie in an isolated small town, trying her best to provide a normal life and keep their heads above water.
But when Mattie is found dead, Sadie's entire world crumbles. After a somewhat botched police investigation, Sadie is determined to bring her sister's killer to justice and hits the road following a few meager clues to find him.
When West McCray―a radio personality working on a segment about small, forgotten towns in America―overhears Sadie's story at a local gas station, he becomes obsessed with finding the missing girl. He starts his own podcast as he tracks Sadie's journey, trying to figure out what happened, hoping to find her before it's too late.
Courtney Summers has written the breakout book of her career. Sadie is propulsive and harrowing and will keep you riveted until the last page.
This isn't a particularly happy book and not one I'll be reading at night before bed because I get spooked by the even subtlest references to scary life situations, but it's very compelling and has threads of relevance to the current social climate (in terms of folks being complacent in a situation in which girls need help) throughout.
Scribbler Writing Passport
Those who have been reading my Scribbler reviews for the past few months know that I think the writing passport they include is the absolute tops. In the passport, curators Victoria Scott and Lindsay Cummings explain why they chose the novel of the month and how it relates to the theme.
They often break it up with career highlights and/or a bio about the current month's author.
Summers talks just as much in her section about writing rules relating to the act of writing as she does about writing tips, tricks, and guidelines. Love it!
Truuuue.
Also included is a signed bookplate from the author. This is a regular bonus for Scribbler to include and I'm always so impressed that it appears to actually be hand-signed and not just printed!
Invitation to Author Conversation
This next monthly perk is an invitation to a private conversation with someone in the publishing industry. These chats are always hosted by Victoria & Lindsay, last about 25 minutes, and involve them asking the featured interviewee their own list of questions, followed by questions asked by listeners in the live comments section. The upcoming chat is with editor Sara Goodman, who has a crazy amount of experience and I'm certain will be a fount of inspiration and info.
Girl of All Work Birds of a Feather Page Flags — Retail Value $5.50 (currently out of stock)
Wow, what a beautiful way to mark pages. I'm a shameless dog-earer, but these lovelies might change my ways. There are 75 flags per design, adding up to 375 total in this set. I love the tip on the back—I never knew!
Big Heart Tea Co. Cup of Sunshine, 1.8 oz. — Retail Value $8.99
How about something cozy to sip while you read? Scribbler has included coffee grounds in the past, and now here's something for the tea-drinkers among us. This loose-leaf herbal tea is a turmeric-ginger blend. I looove turmeric tea—it has such a healthy, earthy flavor.
WWJKD Magnet
The queen! Can't decide if I want to gift this magnet to a fellow JK-loving friend or hoard it for myself. It's pure gold!
Scribbler-Exclusive Print
This is such a cool poster to hang near your desk or other writing space. I love that the back also features the heart design so you can use it as a backdrop for other inspo if you wish.
Publishing Process Inside Look (PPIL)
Okay, so here's the front of and a peek inside the PPIL booklet I mentioned above. This one is a condensed email exchange between Summers (this month's author) and her editor, Sara Goodman (the gal featured in next month's chat). They go back and forth on the ending a bit to make sure it's perfect before publishing. It's meant to give subscribers a sense of what these types of convos might look like!
The Verdict: I'm happy with this month's Scribbler box, but then again, when am I not? The book is super engaging, and the bookish extras are totally my speed. This box costs $29.99 plus $7.99 shipping (so $37.99 total). This box is a little different than others in that most of its items don't have a price tag attached to them. The only product that can be purchased is the featured novel itself, for $17.99 (or at the discounted rate of $12.32), but the other resources and writing-themed goodies are of awesome quality and undoubtedly a great value.
To Wrap Up:
Can you still get this box if you sign up today? No, you will receive the October or November box. The last day to order a box is the 10th of every month unless sold out prior to that date (there are limited quantities). If you order after the 10th, it will be for the following month.
Value Breakdown: This box costs $29.99 + $7.99 shipping, which means that each of the 7 items in the box has an average cost of $5.43. That is an incredible value!
Check out all of our Scribbler reviews and more book subscription boxes in our Book Subscription Box Directory, as well as our Paper & Stationery Subscription Boxes!
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What do you think of the September Scribbler box?
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