Book dedication: How to do book dedications in 5 minutes

Amazing secrets about dedication meaning and book dedication examples

We are giving thanks this week as Thanksgiving Day and Christmas holidays loom.

So today’s life-story article is dedicated to … dedications!

Indeed it’s funny how important things can fly under the radar.

Certainly when sitting down to write there is much to think about and consider.

For example, planning, writing, editing and polishing our autobiography, memoir, biography or other life-story project.

However, it is important to remember to write a dedication before printing.

So let’s take a look at what exactly is a book dedication, why it’s needed and how to craft one.

1 What is a book dedication?

A book dedication is a short tribute to one or more people, living or dead, written by the author.

Most often a dedication takes its own page and is found towards the front of a book.

For example, on the third page after the main title and copyright pages.

Furthermore, a dedication is usually written when a book nears completion or during the book-layout process.

On the other hand some authors choose not to include a dedication.

Indeed the choice is yours!

Your Family Stories System. Father and girl on his shoulders with arms spread wide at the beach.

2 Types of dedications

Historically a book dedication was a way for authors to thank a patron or famous figure.

Indeed these people might have given money to help produce a book or hopefully were so flattered by a dedication they gave the author money.

Certainly a book dedication is one of the first things read in a book.

Therefore it can set the tone of the whole work.

Above all, however, a dedication means being immortalised in print, which is a great honour.

So use a book dedication to:

Acknowledge your greatest support
Show affection or regard
Give thanks
Show a connection
Offer encouragement
Inspire

Related article – Why write: Why is writing important and why do we write

3 How do you write a dedication for a book?

Most book dedications thank a loved one such as a parent, spouse and/or children.

And they are short and sweet.

That is to say, a few words or a few lines.

Also use a body-copy font in italics and centre on the page.

However, keep in mind there are no hard rules!

So a dedication is ultimately up to the author.

For example, this could be a longer letter-form dedication, set left, with a heading and no italics or punctuation.

Other creative ideas include:

Giving an opinion
Making a political statement
Being funny or shocking
Referencing a specific time or generation
Mentioning a pet, favourite item, object or place
Using photos
Dedication to readers

Related article – How to get your own book printed without going crazy!

4 Dedication quotes and dedication examples

For book dedication inspiration take a look at the following dedication quotes (below) from life-story books I’ve reviewed recently.

Also get ideas by checking your bookshelf, bookshop or library.

Finally my favourite hack: see authors’ dedications for online Amazon books using the ‘Look inside’ option available by clicking most book covers.

Fake by Stephanie Wood – for her father

In memory of my father

Any Ordinary Day by Leigh Sales – for her father

In Memory of Joseph Raymond Dale Sales
1948-2018
The very best of dads

Related article – Book review: Any Ordinary Day by Leigh Sales

Johnathan Thurston with James Phelps – for JT’s wife

This book is for Samantha Thurston;
you made me a better person.
You have given me my world.

The Yellow House by Sarah M. Broom – for her grandmother, aunt and mother

for three women, with love and heart
(three portrait photos)
Amelia ‘Lolo’
Auntie Elaine
Ivory Mae

The New Negro by Jeffrey C. Stewart – for his friend

To John Wesley Blassingame
(1940-2000)
scholar, mentor, and friend,
who set me on this course

No Friend But the Mountains by Behrouz Boochani – for his fellow writer and coordinator of Writing Through Fences.org

For Janet Galbraith
Who is a bird

Becoming by Michelle Obama – for her family and friends

To all the people who have helped me become:
the folks who raised me—Fraser, Marian, Craig, and my vast extended family,
my circle of strong women, who always lift me up,
my loyal and dedicated staff, who continue to make me proud.
To the loves of my life:
Malia and Sasha, my two most precious peas, who are my reasons for being,
and finally, Barack, who always promised me an interesting journey.

Working Class Man by Jimmy Barnes – for his family and dogs

For my Jane,
I love you.
I have loved you.
I will always love you.

And for my children.
Your father has made a lot of mistakes.
But when I look at you I know
that I have done something right.

For my grandchildren.
This is a story from the dark past.
Now you are here everything is all right.

For Oliver and Snoop.
You have lived through this with me. But even in the thick of it, you never judged me, and you wagged your tails whenever you saw me.

I love you all.

Final say

It is the season to give thanks.

And for a life-story writer, one of the key ways you can do this is through a well-thought-out book dedication.

Firstly get an understanding of what is a book dedication, the different types, how to write one and check out some examples.

Indeed writing a life story is a huge undertaking.

Certainly all authors need help and assistance to finish.

Therefore, why not use a book dedication to show your appreciation?

Importantly you and others will be thankful for it.

Happy writing!

Free gift!

Starting a life-story writing project? Prepare a basic chapter outline with the free Structure Success video training. Sign up here or fill in the form below.

Your say

Tell me about your book dedication or a notable one you have read. I always love hearing from different people. Drop me an email or leave a reply in the comments section at the end of this article.

Get in touch

Got a question or an idea for a future article? You can let me know here!

Don’t miss an article

This article first appeared on the website Forever Young Autobiographies.com.