I have to admit that I enjoy reading author acknowledgments.
These days, a book is really a collaborative effort between a lot of different people operating behind the scenes. At least, these folks are behind the scenes until they’re put on the acknowledgments page of a book. :)
These pages were really useful for me when I was researching publishers and agents—because agents and editors are always thanked (or should be) by published writers.
Now I think they’re just fun to read. For me, they’re a window into the writer’s world and the people who are part of it. Plus, it’s usually the only personal note directly from the author. For that reason, I’ve always enjoyed reading them.
The acknowledgments can be tricky for me. I want to make sure I haven’t left anyone out, but I also don’t want to go on and on as if the page was an Academy Award speech.
There’s usually a little list I try to go through in my head to make sure I haven’t left anyone out:
Agent
Editor
Agent assistant or Editorial assistants or copy editors (anyone I know by name)
Anyone who helped with research/sources
Family who put up with me while I was writing. :)
First readers
Writing mentors
People (teachers, etc.) who provided encouragement or support
Do you read the acknowledgments in books? Can you think of any other people who should be included in a list of whom to thank?
No one ever mentions their copy editors. And I know you said, “anyone you know by name”, so you’ve probably got it covered, but I’m just sayin’…
Elizabeth – I read acknowledgments, actually, and I agree with you that they can be really interesting. I especially like it when there’s some humour in them. You’ve got a very thorough list there of people to thank. I’m glad to see you included people who served as resources. No matter how small the piece of information, it’s useful and the person should be thanked.
I think it’s a pretty good list. I love reading acknowledgments. They often give a glimpse of author’s personality and sometimes include some surprising information.
I always read the acknowledgements. I find them fascinating, even though I don’t know any of the people.
Karen
Suzi–That is a VERY good point. Yes, we should definitely add copy editors to the list. I’ll amend the post to show that. Definitely anyone who we know by name–sometimes this means folks in the marketing dept, too.
Alison–That’s what I think, too. Some great insights in those pages.
Elizabeth,
I’m not anywhere near writing any acknowledgments. But, like you, I love to read them. Not only because they offer a personal glimpse into the author’s life, but also because they give hints about how the story developed or what sparked the idea. That’s just as exciting!
Great post, one I’ll bookmark for later :)
I always read the acks. I agree that they can be tricky to write. You certainly don’t want to leave anyone out, but you can’t just go on forever either. I’ve always wanted to include a famous person or two, with no explanation, just for fun. Maybe next book.
I would also include, if applicable, whoever inspired the book. My second published short story was inspired by a woman I knew in my childhood. She was the first woman I ever knew personally whose husband cheated on her. I mentioned this in my bio after the story, naming her only by initials. It sparked a few questions from readers, especially family and old friends. I don’t know if she ever saw the story, or if she’s even still alive, but I hope she did see it and that she enjoyed the story, especially the ending.
It’s the first page I go to when browsing a book. I’ve always been drawn to it because it gives me a glimpse of the personal side of an author.
I always read them, looking to see if there’s anyone I know. I’ve found friends in acknowledgments and it usually piques my interest in the book.
I try to keep up with everyone who’s helped me with my books, and I fear I’ll leave something out.
Terry
Terry’s Place
Romance with a Twist–of Mystery
I acknowledged the manager of my favourite football team for keeping me happy as I conceived and wrote my book (but only after early readers, editor, agent and copy editor).
The story is in the comments of my blog post:
http://www.ben-kay.com/2011/04/killerwespen-in-das-nest/
I do read the acknowledgements, for various reasons. Sometimes, I just love a writer and their writing style so much so that I stretch out the time I can spend reading it.
Other times it is, as you say, nice to hear the writer themselves speaking (provided it isn’t a biography). Once, I even did it to find out how they knew so much on an obscure topic.
I like to turn to them and if they are relatively short I read them. A list of people longer than about 10 between category change though… I just don’t have the attention span unless it is presented in a fun way. I’ve thought a lot about this though–even with just the Burrow I am at 12 people, though I think the specific first readers for a given work falls into a reasonable number.
I read acknowledgments; but I don’t read one that is a chapter unto itself. I like the glimpse into the author’s world and yes, if it’s an author who writes in my genre, I see who they name as their agent!
Diane–It’s what I read first, too.
Margot–I do get a lot of info from first sources, so I try to make note of those folks as I go along. :)
Hart–I’m with you. If the list of people just goes on and on…I definitely lose attention.
Karen–And it’s amazing to see how many people help with the process of writing a book!
I like reading author acknowledgments, too. It’s a great place to get character name ideas!
I always read acknowledgments, in some ways it tells me a little bit about the author’s personality and level of gratitude. And, I most certainly thanked my copy editor. She was amazing. I would have never dreamed of leaving her out.
And here I thought I was the only one! Great post – thanks!
I’ve been mentioned, acknowledged as the editor, and that makes me feel good. I usually check acknowledgments, especially if it’s a book that I can tell took a lot of research and collaboration.
Christi–I like it when I find out more about how the story came about, too–good point.
Alan–Ha! That would be hilarious. Or a *dead* famous person. “Thanks so much to Albert Einstein…” :)
Laura–Great idea! Haven’t thought of that.
Barb–What an interesting story! And a good point–to include those who inspire us. Maybe, if she read the story, it eased some of those old pains.
Terry–That’s me. I’m dealing with my awful memory and worried I’m going to screw up.
Kathy–Thanks!
Ben–That is TOO funny! Thanks for sharing it. :) That’s one of those things that makes readers want to read the acknowledgments…
Alex–Now, along with reading the acknowledgments, I’ll nose around in their blogs, Facebook, and Twitter, too! It’s really funny–it’s like the fiction wasn’t enough and now I need to read about *them*!
Elspeth–I still like to read who has what agent. :) I think it’s just a natural curiousity on my part. Or nosiness?
Beth–Those copyeditors are worth their weight in gold! :)
The Old Silly–I think it’s really cool being acknowledged! Nice to have a little recognition after all that hard work.
I always read the acknowledgements. I love them and look forward to publishing a book of my own that has an acknowledgements page.
Toby–I’ll look forward to the release! :)