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 October 2018 Box Review
How apt of Scribbler to have a spooky theme for October's box! I love the little plastic spiders they included! This month's writing prompt asks you to come up with scenarios that could raise the stakes for a main character. Think along the lines of what your character can lose, gain, or risk.
Scribbler prints 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.
Here's a bonus book marker featuring this month's novel.
Here's a head's up about a Black Friday sale that Half Price Books is having next month.
Here's a Scribbler-exclusive sneak peek inside Saves a Cat! Writes a Novel, a novel-writing guide book!
The Night Stalker by Robert Bryndza — Retail Value $12.99 (Found here for $9.20)
So, I mentioned this last month, but I'll say again that I'm a huge wuss when it comes to anything vaguely horror-related. Creepy images and concepts haunt me relentlessly, so I usually just avoid scary books and movies altogether. Because of that, I didn't get too far into this book, but I handed it over to a friend to read and she's zooming through it in the Halloween spirit! She reports to feel sympathy toward the night stalker and is loving the female detective role (this is her first time dipping her toes into Erika Foster).
Book Summary on Amazon:
If the Night Stalker is watching, you're already dead...
In the dead of a swelteringly hot summer's night, Detective Erika Foster is called to a murder scene. The victim, a doctor, is found suffocated in bed. His wrists are bound and his eyes bulging through a clear plastic bag tied tight over his head.A few days later, another victim is found dead, in exactly the same circumstances. As Erika and her team start digging deeper, they discover a calculated serial killer - stalking their victims before choosing the right moment to strike.
The victims are all single men, with very private lives. Why are their pasts shrouded in secrecy? And what links them to the killer?
As a heat wave descends upon London, Erika will do everything to stop the Night Stalker before the body count rises, even if it means risking her job. But the victims might not be the only ones being watched... Erika's own life could be on the line.
The global bestselling author of The Girl in the Ice is back with a heart-racing, electrifying thriller. If you love Angela Marsons, Rachel Abbott and Peter James, you'll be hooked on Robert Bryndza.
I should also note that many months Scribbler includes a hardback book, but this month's is paperback.
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.
Then, the month's featured author shares some insights on the theme.
They always wrap it up with a simple but inspirational quote on the back.
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! I typically stick the bookplate right inside the featured novel. This month, it barely fit! Thought that was a funny quirk, but ultimately didn't pose any problems for me.
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 senior editor Lindsey Rose, who has worked with this month's featured author and many others.
Scribbler-Exclusive Soy Tin Candle by Novelly Yours, 4 oz — Estimated Value $5.50
Coffee, vanilla, and orange is an interesting combo of scents, and I'm here to tell you they're all noticeable in this candle. The coffee aroma is a nice touch so that this candle isn't too sweet-smelling. The glitter is a fun touch!
Piccadilly Sugar Skull Journal — Retail Value $6.98 (Found on sale here for $3.25)
This is a nice, sturdy journal that I feel confident saying would hold up under the duress of being taken in and out of a book bag a million times for all you students out there! The sugar skull has glossy touches to it and the lines on the pages are nice and dark.
King Gaiman Enamel Pin
Where are my Neil fans? This enamel pin is a literary nerd's dream!
Temporary Tattoo
This was described on the info sheet as a little push to get you through NaNoWriMo! And, I mean, who doesn't love a temporary tattoo?
HPB-Exclusive Button Set — Retail Value $3.99
Some more writerly accessories from Half Priced Books. These would look so rad on a jean jacket!
Publishing Process Inside Look (PPIL)
Here's the front of and a peek inside the PPIL booklet I mentioned above. This one features copy edits from this month's featured book. Copy edits come after the big revisions and go into the details of each sentence and word and punctuation mark to ensure everything is communicated how it should be. This is my favorite part!
The Verdict: The spooky spirit is alive in October's Scribbler box! While the book was a little too scary for me, I'm digging the extras that came along with it. This box costs $29.99 plus $7.99 shipping (so $37.99 total). This box is a little different than others in that many of its items don't have a price tag attached to them. The products that can be purchased are the featured novel itself, for $12.99 (or at the discounted rate of $9.20), and two of the extras, which add up to $7.24 using sale prices) 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 November or December 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 9 items in the box has an average cost of $4.22. That is a great 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 October Scribbler box?
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