Let us talk about something that often gets overlooked—until it is the last minute and you are staring at a blinking cursor.

I am talking about the foreword and acknowledgments.

Over the past 40 years in the book publishing trenches—and with a master’s degree in Publishing Science from Pace University—I have collaborated with authors across genres, from green rookies to seasoned bestsellers. And here is the truth: no matter how tight your prose or groundbreaking your research, if your foreword and acknowledgments fall flat, you are missing a major opportunity to engage readers before they hit Chapter One or after they finish your final paragraph.

Recently, in a survey I conducted with aspiring first-time authors, this exact concern surfaced repeatedly: What do I write in my foreword and acknowledgments? Do I even need them? How do I avoid sounding cheesy or stiff?

Let us dig into this.

And if you find this helpful, don’t forget to follow my blog: The Book Kahuna Chronicles. There is more publishing insight where this came from.

What Is a Foreword, and Why Should You Care?

First, let us clear up the confusion.

A foreword is not an introduction. An introduction is typically written by the author. A foreword is written by someone else—usually someone with name recognition, authority, or credibility in the same space as the book’s subject matter.

Think of the foreword as a vote of confidence. It is someone saying, I know this author. I know this topic. And this book is worth your time.

Here is why that matters:

  • It gives readers a reason to trust you before they even get to your voice.
  • It sets the tone and context.
  • It lends borrowed credibility—especially important for nonfiction.

Let us say you are publishing a book about digital marketing. If the foreword is written by Seth Godin, Neil Patel, or Ann Handley, your book gets an immediate bump in perceived legitimacy.

If you are a first-time author, this is crucial.

How to Get Someone to Write Your Foreword

This is often the first roadblock authors hit: “Who would write a foreword for me?”

Here is the publishing pro answer: Ask someone you respect who has some skin in the game.

This could be:

  • A mentor in your field
  • A business partner
  • A high-profile client or colleague
  • A thought leader you have worked with (even briefly)

The key is to make it easy for them. Do not just ask them to write “whatever they want.” Instead, offer some structure:

  • Why you are authoring the book
  • What the reader will gain
  • Why you admire their perspective

You can even offer to draft it for their review. Yes, it is ghostwriting—but it is common and accepted.

Pro tip: Get permission in writing. Make it clear they are comfortable with their name being on the foreword, and clarify any compensation if needed (though most forewords are written as a favor or professional courtesy).

Foreword Formatting Tips

If you are self-publishing, do not let the layout trip you up. Here are some quick formatting rules:

  • The foreword comes before the table of contents.
  • It is often headed simply “Foreword”—not “Forward” (a common typo!).
  • The person writing it should sign off at the end, ideally with their name, title, and date/location.

Example:

John R. Smith
Founder, MarketingPro Labs
June 2025, Austin, TX

Keep it clean. Keep it professional. And remember: a foreword is not your time to shine—it is theirs. Do not rewrite their voice into yours. Let their words build a bridge to your book.

What Goes into a Good Foreword?

Let us break it down.

A great foreword usually contains the following:

  1. A personal story about the author or subject
  2. Why the book matters right now
  3. What the reader will get from it
  4. A strong endorsement of the author’s expertise

It does not have to be long—500 to 1000 words is plenty. But it does have to feel genuine, not generic. The last thing you want is a cut-and-paste corporate-speak paragraph that says nothing.

But What If You’re Not Using a Foreword?

That is okay.

Not every book needs a foreword—especially fiction, memoirs, or poetry. In fact, in those genres, a foreword might feel like overkill or unnecessary padding.

But every book needs a great acknowledgments section. Let us get into that.

Acknowledgments: Where the Heart of the Book Lives

If the foreword is about outside validation, the acknowledgments are about personal gratitude.

This is where you, the author, get to:

  • Thank the people who made the book possible
  • Show humility and humanity
  • Build deeper connections with readers

And yes, readers do read the acknowledgments—especially in memoir, biography, and nonfiction. It is a peek behind the curtain. It is the you behind the book.

Who Belongs in Your Acknowledgments?

Here is the concise list:

  • Spouse or partner (always first)
  • Children (if applicable)
  • Parents or family
  • Editors, agents, proofreaders
  • Mentors, teachers, or experts
  • Beta readers or critique groups
  • Publishers or publishing teams
  • Professional colleagues or research sources
  • Anyone else who lifted you up during the process

And if you are collaborating with an indie team—cover designers, formatters, marketing consultants—they belong here too.

Acknowledgment Don’ts

Let us be real. There are some traps here.

Do not:

  • Turn your acknowledgments into an Oscar acceptance speech.
  • Ramble for 20 pages.
  • Use inside jokes or obscure references your readers will not get.
  • Take passive-aggressive swipes at people who did not help (yes, I have seen it).

Keep it professional, heartfelt, and focused. You are not settling old scores here—you are expressing thanks.

Style: Formal or Casual?

This is where you make a call based on your book’s tone.

If your book is academic or research-heavy, keep the acknowledgments more formal. If your book is personal, memoir-style, or conversational nonfiction, feel free to be warm and informal.

Example (formal):

I am deeply grateful to Dr. Melissa Tran, whose research into environmental chemistry inspired key portions of Chapter 4. Her insights were invaluable.

Example (casual):

Big thanks to my sister Jenny, who listened to me rant about this book for two straight years and still picked up the phone every time.

Either way, write it like you mean it.

Structuring the Acknowledgments Page

There is no perfect format, but here is a structure that works well:

  1. Personal relationships (family, spouse)
  2. Professional support (editors, agents, team)
  3. Contributors or experts
  4. Anyone else who helped

It is also okay to end with a final line to your readers, like:

And finally, thank you to you—yes, you holding this book—for taking this journey with me. I hope it leaves you thinking.

Simple. Elegant. And it draws the curtain beautifully.

Common Questions from First-Time Authors

From my survey and conversations with new writers, here are a few questions I hear repeatedly.

“Can I skip the acknowledgments if I’m self-publishing?”

You can, but you should not. Even if your team is small or nonexistent, this is a chance to show humility and heart. Even if you just thank your cat and your coffee, include something.

“Should I include people who helped me but didn’t work on the book?”

Yes—especially if their support helped you mentally or emotionally. For example, someone who encouraged you during a tough time or a mentor who sparked the idea.

“What if I forget someone?”

It happens. Be honest. Add a line like:

To anyone I have unintentionally left out: please know your support meant the world to me.

One Last Thought: Legacy and Humanity

As much as we focus on sales, promotion, and platform-building in publishing, we sometimes forget this: books are acts of humanity.

The foreword and acknowledgments may not be the core content of your book—but they are often the most human parts.

In the foreword, someone says: “This author matters.”

In the acknowledgments, you say: “These people matter to me.”

And that is what readers remember long after they have shelved your book.

Wrapping It Up

If you are an aspiring first-time author, here is what I want you to take away:

  • Do not underestimate the power of a well-written foreword. If you can get someone respected in your field to pen it, it will elevate your credibility instantly.
  • Your acknowledgments are not an afterthought. They are your moment to show gratitude and invite readers into your world.
  • Keep both sections authentic, structured, and free from ego.
  • Read other books in your genre to get a feel for tone and format.

And—do not leave these until the last second. A great foreword or acknowledgments section takes thought and time. Respect that part of the process.

If you found this article helpful, please consider following my blog: The Book Kahuna Chronicles. I regularly dive deep into the world of publishing with insight from four decades in the trenches—plus genuine advice for authors trying to break in today.

There is a lot of noise out there. Let us cut through it together.

Write well. Write smart. And write from the heart.

—Don

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