Many writers like to think of themselves as solitary creatures. But the truth is, most of us rely on the encouragement and support of those we care about to stay motivated and see our projects through. These people help make the magic happen! One way to thank them is by dedicating our work to them. But how can this be done?
Well, there’s a special page in the front matter of books where you can do just that. With a little thought, you can craft a heartfelt dedication that feels authentic and memorable. To make this task easier for you, this article will guide you through the process, with practical tips and inspiring examples to help you get started.
What Is a Dedication in a Book?
A book dedication is a short paragraph in the front matter of your book that tells readers to whom the book is dedicated. It usually takes up less than half a page and offers a brief but meaningful way to acknowledge someone important to you. In addition to reflecting your personality, its main purpose is to express gratitude to the people who have had a great impact on you or your writing journey.
With that said, keep in mind that writing a dedication is optional; you don’t have to do it if it doesn’t feel right for you.
Dedication vs Acknowledgements: What’s the Difference?
Dedications and acknowledgements share similar purposes; they both offer ways to thank others, and they’re set apart from the main contents of the book. However, there are several key differences between them, which are listed in the table below:
| Dedications | Acknowledgements | |
| Placement | In the front matter (usually after the title page) | In the front or back matter (commonly placed at the end) |
| Length | One paragraph or less | Can be one or two pages |
| Style and tone | Personal and intimate; often informal | More structured, tone can vary from formal to casual depending on the audience |
| Number of dedicatees | Usually one or two | Often several (typically 5–10, but can be more) |
| Dedicatees | People who left an emotional or personal impact on the author (e.g., family, close friends) | People who aided and/or supported the author in the writing and publishing process (e.g., editors, agents, mentors, colleagues, supporters) |
Why You Might Want to Write a Book Dedication
Finishing a book can be a time-consuming and difficult feat, so dedicating it to someone you appreciate can make them feel special. There are other similar benefits of writing a dedication as well, such as:
- Humanizing the author and reminding readers that there’s a person behind the words.
- Showing gratitude and humility to the people who supported you as you wrote the book.
- Providing a shorter, more personal alternative to acknowledgments for thanking people who are important to you.
Who Should You Dedicate Your Book To?
Generally speaking, you can dedicate your book to anyone who has made an impact on you or your writing process. That list includes, but is not limited to, your circle of loved ones. Let’s go over a few examples:
- Family: Many authors choose to dedicate their books to close family members; children, spouses, parents, grandparents, or siblings. It’s a heartfelt and common way to honor the people who mean the most to you.
- Friends: Dedicating your book to a dear friend can be a great gesture of gratitude, even if that friend isn’t an avid reader. It shows that you appreciate their presence in your life.
- Mentors or supporters: Naturally, you might want to honor your mentor or most influential supporter by dedicating your book to them. Think of teachers, tutors, writing coaches, or even a friend you learn from!
- Deceased people who meant a lot to you: A dedication to someone who has passed away—often referred to as memorial dedications—is a powerful way to honor their memory.
- Readers of the book: Since your readers are usually your biggest fans, why not dedicate your book to them? Tell them how much they mean to you and how influential their support has been for your work.
- An inspirational figure you look up to: We all have someone we look up to, whether it’s a professional we respect, an artist we love, or a special someone we hold dear to us. This person can be the one you dedicate your book to!
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How to Write a Book Dedication
Crafting your book dedication involves two key steps: writing the content and formatting it properly. In this section, we’ll guide you through both, starting with how to write your dedication, then following up with how to add it to your manuscript.
Crafting the Contents of Your Dedication
You might think that the dedication needs to be poetic or dramatic, or that you can only write in a certain style. In reality, you can write yours however you like; just keep in mind the following best practices:
- Keep it short and sweet. Most book dedications don’t go beyond one paragraph. In fact, most of them tend to be just one or two sentences long.
- Let your personality and emotions shine through in your dedication. If you feel a deep connection to the person you’re expressing gratitude towards, reflect that in your words, whether through warmth, humor, sincerity, or sentimentality.
- Avoid sarcasm unless it fits the tone of the book. And even then, don’t lean into it too much. A dedication isn’t the place to risk hurting someone’s feelings.
- Look at existing examples for inspiration. You can look at how other authors write their dedications and use them as references when creating your own. (You can find a few examples at the end of this article!)
- Draft several versions in different styles. For example, try a simple, genuine one first, then switch to a more humorous tone. Once you have a number of drafts with different styles, pick the one you identify with the most.
- Keep in mind that the dedication is public and anyone can read it. If someone prefers to remain anonymous, avoid using their full name or personal details. When in doubt, opt for a general or vague reference instead.
- Remember that there is no template or formula. So just make sure to avoid phrases like “I dedicate this book to…” as they might sound impersonal and unnatural. Furthermore, don’t try to copy a certain writing style if it doesn’t suit your personality. After all, your dedication should reflect your own voice.
Formatting the Dedication Page
After you finish drafting your dedication, the next step is to format it properly. To do this, you need to know the rules as well as the common practices that publishers follow. We’ve listed them below:
- Place the dedication on its own page, and align the text to the center.
- Insert it after the copyright page and before the table of contents.
- To add a soft, elegant touch, format your dedication in italics.
- You can keep the font consistent with the rest of the book or use a slightly larger or stylized font for emphasis, depending on your design preferences.
- Finally, don’t feel compelled to add a title to your dedication. It’s optional and often omitted during the publishing process.
Photo from Freepik
Examples of Book Dedications
Many authors add dedication pages to their books for various reasons. Some dedications give genuine thanks to a certain person, while others use a more playful and humorous style to convey certain emotions. Because of these different approaches, there is a wide range of dedication styles to draw inspiration from, no matter what tone you choose for yours. Let’s go over a few memorable examples!
1. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
In his book The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, C.S. Lewis wrote a heartfelt letter to his goddaughter, Lucy. This letter acts as the dedication of the book, and it’s brought tears to the eyes of many readers over the decades.
“My Dear Lucy,
I wrote this story for you, but when I began it I had not realized that girls grow quicker than books. As a result you are already too old for fairy tales, and by the time it is printed and bound you will be older still. But some day you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again. You can then take it down from some upper shelf, dust it, and tell me what you think of it. I shall probably be too deaf to hear, and too old to understand a word you say but I shall still be
your affectionate Godfather,”
2. The Seven Year Slip by Ashley Poston
Ashley Poston’s dedication page in The Seven Year Slip isn’t actually restricted to one person. In fact, it speaks to a large number of people: those who have difficulties in the kitchen! The humorous style used in this dedication sets the tone for the story that follows.
“For all the food lovers out there who burn popcorn in the microwave: we’d be too strong if we could cook, too.”
3. The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi by Shannon Chakraborty
S.A. Chakraborty, author of The Adventures of Amina al-Sirafi, dedicated her book to parents struggling to raise their children in tough circumstances. This acknowledgement of parental hardship mirrors the core themes of the book as well as the main character’s journey.
“For all those parenting in hardship: during pandemics, through climate crises and under occupation. For those struggling to keep food on the table, and juggle multiple jobs and impossible childcare. For everyone who’s set aside their own dreams, briefly or forever, to lift those of the next generation.”
4. The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin
The Fifth Season’s dedication reflects the themes of the book, which range from survival and violence to oppression and freedom. It’s simple but effective, making this page just as memorable as the rest of the novel.
“For all those who have to fight for the respect that everyone else is given without question.”
5. Cosmos by Carl Sagan
Carl Sagan’s Cosmos takes readers on a journey through time and space, while his dedication remains grounded in the same place and time as his wife, Annie. It showcases how the human experience, while nothing compared to the universe, is still beautiful and meaningful to us.
“In the vastness of space and the immensity of time, it is my joy to share a planet and an epoch with Annie.”
Final Thoughts
No two book dedications are the same; each author has their own sources of inspiration and support, which can come from different people in their lives. As a result, everyone writes their dedications in different ways and styles that range from sad and heart-wrenching to witty and hilarious. The most important thing is that it comes from the heart, and its contents are safe to share with the public!
Have you written a dedication before? Or do you have a favorite one from a book you’ve read? Let us know in the comments below.
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