So you have finished your book except for the front and back matter. You came across an article suggesting that you add an Acknowledgement page. What is an acknowledgement for a book?
I’m glad you asked because in this post, I am going to cover what an Acknowledgement page is, show you a couple of samples, where it goes, and if it is necessary. Hopefully, by the time you finish reading this post, you will know what it is and how to implement an acknowledgement for your book. Not to mention the importance of having one.
What is An Acknowledgement and How to Write One
Have you ever written a thank-you letter? An acknowledgement is like a thank-you letter, but with less detail. On the acknowledgement page, you express your gratitude or appreciation to people who had a part in the writing and publication of your book. How do I write an acknowledgement page?
Think of people who made a difference during the writing of your book. For example, a spouse who understood the importance of the time you put aside for writing. He watched the kids while you were in your office writing. Think of the different people in your life who have either inspired or helped you with your book:
Spouse
Family members
Friends
Hair stylist
Editor
Writing group
Illustrator
Proofreader
Librarian
Mentor
Accountability partners
Business associate
Co-worker
My advice is to take some time to think about where you have been and who you have interacted with during the time you wrote your book to the point of publishing it. Was there something they said, something they did that encouraged you along the way? Did they show you a specific software that helped give you a great book idea, or encourage you to write a book? Be specific and to the point about how they helped in the writing and/or publishing of your book.
However, keep it short and to the point. Don’t get too personal or wordy. Share what they would be comfortable with your sharing. Remember, your book is going out into the world. You don’t want to write anything that would make someone uncomfortable. Avoid thanking the reader on this page, and do not talk about your book on this page.
Where Does the Acknowledgement Go and Are They Necessary?
Where do acknowledgements go in a book? Acknowledgements typically go in the front. However, some readers prefer to see it in the back. When I wrote my book, A Case of Mistaken Identity, I placed my acknowledgement in the back. There’s no right or wrong placement of an acknowledgement page. There’s always someone who guides us along our writing journey.
You don’t have to include an acknowledgement page, however, it’s a great way to connect with your readers. An acknowledgement page adds a human touch to your book and acknowledges those who have helped in the writing and/or publishing of your book. Not to mention, people like to be recognized for the impact they have made on people’s lives. Think of the acknowledgement page as a great way to thank people who have made a significant impact on you and your writing journey.
Samples of An Acknowledgement
Like I said earlier, I included an Acknowledgement in my book A Case of Mistaken Identity. I placed mine in the back of the book. I surprised my friend by acknowledging that her idea created a spark that ended up being my first book. Here are a couple of examples of an acknowledgment in my book: Thank you, Joy, for inspiring me to write a fictional story, a shout-out of thanks to Christian Book Academy, and especially my pod ladies. If you are still unsure of what to write on your Acknowledgement page, look at books you own to see how those authors wrote their acknowledgements. Take your time on this and remember, don’t include too much detail, just enough to acknowledge those who helped make your book happen.
In Conclusion
I think book acknowledgements are worth the time and effort it takes to create. Just remember to keep them short, simple, and to the point. Not too wordy or revealing of personal information. A list of five to ten people would be ideal, but if you can’t think of that many, that’s fine. Whether you place it in the front or back, it doesn’t matter. Don’t include the name of our book or thank your readers. Don’t stress over it, have fun with it. Be genuine, and in return, you will put a smile on someone’s face, like I did for my friend Joy. Remember, people need acknowledgement for the good they do in our lives.
About the Author
Lizzy, pen name EO Writes, was first called to write for the public in 2012. For a season, she wrote articles on homeschooling. In 2024, her calling as an Author came into the public’s view once again with her first book release, A Case of Mistaken Identity, the first of many! She is presently working on Getting Unstuck, A Guide to Self-Publishing. You can check out her blog at: https://www.eowrites.com. She has been married for 27 years. When she is not writing, she and her husband enjoy traveling throughout the United States on their Harley-Davidson motorcycle.
“Never judge a book by its cover. What you find inside the pages might surprise you.”
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