Literary Mugs

ByD'Ann Mateer
13 Comments

I suspect all writers have various items that are endowed with a literary theme. And since so many of us drink copious amounts of coffee or tea, some of those things are probably mugs. Today I want to share with you my six literary-themed mugs and why they are special to me. Although technically, two of them are my husband’s! 

Jane Austen

I love this mug for its size (wider than normal) and its theme (I do love Jane Austen), but most of all, this mug is of great sentimental value. My kids got it for me one Christmas while I was in the midst of my first publishing contract. Whether they meant it this way or not, to me it said, “We see you, you are a writer.” 

44 Scotland Street

We are huge fans of Alexander McCall Smith’s books. However, he is so prolific that I can’t keep up with all the series if I want to read other things! So I have not read his 44 Scotland Street series, but Jeff has—and he loves it. So when we went to Scotland a few years ago, he had to find a mug! Guess where we found it? The Writers’ Museum in Edinburgh. Don’t you have to love a city that has a writers’ museum? 

Introverts

One of my dear friends gave this to me, and of course, it makes me laugh every time I see it, because it is so true! I mean, who else, when they sit out a game of pickleball because there are 5 players, pulls out their phone and picks up where they left off in their book the night before, instead of engaging with those still playing? Yep, introverts! 

Book Collection

Another friend gifted me this mug of classic book spines. All such good ones that they make me smile. 🙂 

Lord of the Rings

I got this mug from A Fine Quotation (I love their literary-themed products!) for my husband. He works hard defending religious liberty day in and day out. So I thought this quote was appropriate from me (Samwise) to him (Frodo, carrying the ring): “There’s some good in this world, Mr. Frodo, and it’s worth fighting for.” 

Write Your Own Story

Yet another friend reminded me that while reading is great, I also need to write my own story. Not as in “the story of my life.” That’s God’s job. But my story as in the one He’s given me to share with readers. So often it feels much more comfortable to enjoy the fruits of other writers’ labor than to labor on my own, even if it is what the Lord has asked me to do! 

Of course, I own many other literary-themed items: t-shirts, sweatshirts, magnets, stickers, puzzles, socks—and even a vase! Maybe one of these days we’ll talk about some of those other things! 

Do you own any literary-themed mugs? If not, what is your favorite mug and why?

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Inspired by novelist Eugenia Price, D’Ann’s dream of writing historical fiction with an element of faith began in middle school, though her serious drive toward publication took a bit longer. D’Ann is the author of four historical novels and one novella, as well as a contemporary short stories in a compilation volume. D’Ann and her husband of 30 years can be found in Austin, TX when they aren’t touring historic sites or visiting their grown children.

13 Comments

  1. I have the Jane Austen mug. I have collected mugs for a long time, starting with mugs from vacation places. For the past ten to fifteen years, I have collected mugs representing favorite authors’ works. I participated in a reread of two authors’ works before an upcoming release. With the first one, one of the readers created mugs for each book as we read it. I led discussions for the second author and created mugs for each book on Zazzle. In both cases we used the mugs as giveaways during our rereads, with information about how others could order. I believe I saw a mug with Karen Witemeyer’s Hangers Horsemen on it. Would love to have that one.

    Thanks for this post!

  3. I love these, D’Ann. And I just might have to steal the introvert one. 🙂 Being a massive tea drinker, I love big, hearty mugs. No dinky teacups for me unless they are being used for dcorative purposes. I have a handful of literary mugs, but they are ones I made myself with my own book covers on them. I gave them to readers over the years but couldn’t resist keeping a selection for myself. I also have a mug my publisher gave me several years ago that says, “This is what a published author looks like.” I enjoy that one, too. My favorite literary beverage holder is actually a Jane Eyre teapot that I found online from the Bronte Sisters Museum. It has a romantic quote from the book on it with a matching teacup with the famous line, “Reader, I married him.” I also have a set of Jane Austen coasters that I use in my office. I’m throwing those in since they are mug-adjacent. Ha!

    1. I’m jealous of the Jane Eyre teapot even if I’m not a huge tea drinker. I’m actually re-reading (i.e. listening)to Jane Eyre again. And I love that you have mugs with your own book covers. I think that’s awesome!

  5. Love your collection! And they all look they provide a generous pour – a bonus. I have a “Writer’s Block: When Your Imaginary Friends Stop Talking to You” mug, but it’s on the small side. Boo! One of my favorites is a flattened, weary Stitch with the words “I Don’t Do Mornings.” True. Then there’s the good-sized one with cats a and books all over it. Does that count? I’m hoping to create a writer’s life lap quilt to auction off at our next chapter conference in 2026. Fingers crossed it turns out!

    1. Yes! All those are great! I need the “don’t do mornings” one. I have a travel mug with Minnie Mouse in a sleep mask that says that, but not an everyday one. Truth is, some of those I showed are on the smaller side, which isn’t my favorite, but there are days I can make them work. 🙂

  6. I do have a couple, which is rather interesting since I don’t drink coffee and thus, don’t use the mugs. But, I still like having them. I picked up a Press Hotel (Portland, Maine) coffee mug compliments of the hotel while staying there last month. That is my current favorite.

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