This is dedicated to the one I love… If you listen to oldies, you heard that title in the harmonies of The Shirelles (or The Mamas and Papas), like I did when I wrote it. I’m sure the song will be in my head the rest of the day.
I love reading the dedications in the books I read — I wish the Kindle app didn’t skip ahead to the first chapter, because I’ve definitely missed quite a few. I’m far more likely to read them in paperback.
As an author, it is one of my favorite things to do… I’m not sure if any one reads them. Usually, I have to point it out to the recipient so they don’t miss it. But I love to dedicate my books — even if no one ever sees it but me!
My first book (despite his never reading the dedication or the book!) is dedicated to my husband. It seems to be a common theme – many authors I talked to did the same. I also dedicated another book to him, one with a friends-to-more romance. It says “For my husband. I am so blessed to have married my best friend.” Another he’ll never see, I’m sure. Hah!
Others, I’ve dedicated to my parents or my friends. Poppy’s Proposal is dedicated to my editor Jessica. She has a soft spot for ‘marriage of convenience’ stories and definitely kept me moving forward on that particular book, so that dedication says “To Jessica, whose excitement about this project sometimes exceeded my own. This one is for you!”
Dancing with Dandelion is dedicated to Inspy Romance’s own Elizabeth Maddrey “To Beth, For your sincere friendship and encouragement. Grateful for you.”
Lavender and Lace is dedicated to Hannah Jo Abbott and Mandi Blake… “For Mandi and Hannah, whom I just finally met in person, but who know me fully.”
I also have other books that I have dedicated to a broader group of people. It actually happened unintentionally. I wrote Spring Fever, which just briefly touches on the sanctity of life in the womb – and I dedicated it “To those who chose life.” Longing for Lily is dedicated “To the fighters.” If you’ve read that book, you will know which type of fighters I’m talking about.
My latest book (Potential Threat) is dedicated to one group of people and to a friend. It reads “To my readers. When I want to give up, you remind me of my why. And to Gabbi, for so many reasons.” So there you have it — if you’ve read my books, you have a book dedicated to you!
Forgiven by the Hero is dedicated “To all the K9 Heroes working to keep us safe” because it so heavily features the rescue dogs and the trainers who work with them.
One author I talked to mentioned that she doesn’t dedicate her books to someone unless they would read the book. Obviously I don’t share that conviction – since I don’t think any of the service dogs will know or care about having a book dedicated to them!
I think for me, the dedication changes depending on the book and my life circumstances. Sometimes, it’s all about why I wrote the book, or what message touched me while writing. Other times, it’s about who in my life is walking alongside me that I appreciate so much I want to immortalize that feeling in print.
One author friend (who has published many more books than me!) mentioned that eventually she ran out of people she wanted to dedicate them to. I suppose someday I may come to the same point. I’ve already dedicated two to my husband… but I don’t think I would quit. There is something about finalizing all the pieces of the book and then typing in that last sentence about who I want to honor with those words.
So tell me — do you read the dedications in books? Have you read any that are especially memorable?
Tara Grace Ericson lives in Missouri with her husband and two sons. She studied engineering and worked as an engineer for many years before embracing her creative side to become a full-time author. She loves cooking, crocheting, and reading books by the dozen. Her writing partner is usually her black lab - Ruby - and a good cup of coffee or tea. She loves a good “happily ever after” with an engaging love story. That’s why Tara focuses on writing clean contemporary romance, with an emphasis on Christian faith and living.
I do read them. When I open a book (kindle) I got back to the cover and then forward. 9 years ago I went to America and a readers retreat in Spokane it was worked around my trip to America and I was going to be staying in Port Orchard WA. Two of the authors were writing novellas in a mail order bride Christmas LIH book it was actually the 3 one they had done and dedicated the book to me. It was humbling and I treasure the book.
I think its interesting to see the dedications and I am sure people who are mentioned even if they know but don’t see it appreciate it.
Oh yes, I read them now, ever since a friend dedicated one to me and was soooo upset when I didn’t notice. It was such a sweet dedication too! I have to actively go back to read them because the eReading apps all seem to skip them, not sure why.
Happy Thursday Tara! This retired high school English teacher and avid reader has always enjoyed reading the book’s dedication. When I receive my Kindle copy, I always go back to the cover and read the dedication and any other author comments. Several authors at the beginning of the book give acknowledgements to their beta readers.
In 2021 I had book dedicated to me. After reading Rachelle Ayala’s story Happy Goose Year in a boxed set, I emailed the author about my experience as a young girl with geese. As a preschooler in Berlin, Germany my Oma had 3 white geese, which I herded. One of my treasured photographs. Hummel figurines has a Goose Herder figurine, which I inherited from my mother. So Rachelle Ayala dedicated the paperback to me and it included my goose herding picture: To preschool goose herder, Renate Pennington, who was friends with her Oma’s geese. Always nice to see one’s name in print. Looking forward to reading the responses. Best wishes.
I generally do. It must be a thrill for the one the book is dedicated to.
I do read them and sometimes I wonder what makes the relationship special to warrant the book dedication. I think it would be very cool to be able to memorialize a dedication like this!
I always read the dedications. They often give an insight into an author’s values and perspective. I have just finished re-read reading Jessie Gussman’s Sweet Water Ranch Box set and I love the fact that most of the books are dedicated to her family. It’s very clear what is important to her.
I always read the dedications, because it gives me a little window into what’s on the author’s heart as they got the book ready.
The funniest dedication I’ve ever heard of was: “To my loving wife and children, without whom this book would have been completed two years earlier.” I don’t know whether that was an actual dedication or an Internet meme, but I found it hilarious.
I do read the dedication page! I read everything that the author of the book puts in there, to be honest! I don’t read the copyright info, and I don’t read the most of the stuff in the back after the last chapter. If the author does a “To the Reader” I read that! lol!! I do miss the dedication pages if I’m not reading a paperback, though, since the ebooks don’t start there.
I love reading dedications. I feel like it helps me get to know the author better. For Anchored Hearts, I dedicated it to my mom. She passed while I was writing it, and there was no bigger fan than my mom. In fact, although I had no idea she did this until I saw a review, she gave herself the name “JulieFan” when leaving reviews. I groan, but that’s exactly why the book is dedicated to her.
I do read them. I like to read who has inspired, encouraged the author. It says a lot about how she got through writing her/his book. I feel it is a lot like when I make a quilt. At different times, different people and or places inspire and encourage me about the quilt I am making.
My husband has one of my books dedicated to him, too. I know he read it because I handed it to him for that purpose and pointed it out.
I know none of the ladies will probably see their dedication in my book No Place Like Home because I think they have all passed on. But I couldn’t think of anyone more worthy. I love picking out the special people to dedicate each book, too. Even if they never see it.
Yes I read the dedications
Yes
I do read them and love them! I *think* the fact that Kindle starts with Ch. 1 can be changed in Settings. Oh, and a fun/memorable dedication is Kiera Cass’ “Hi, Dad! *waves*”.
Wow, what an honor! A readers’ retreat sounds amazing.
Don’t feel bad – they are so easy to miss.
I’m not sure why the ereaders skip them! From these comments, it seems most readers enjoy them, or at least wouldn’t mind flipping past it themselves..
What a fun sorry about how you had a book dedicated to you – and your geese herding days! Haha!
I would think so. Never had one myself, but I do sometimes find myself in the Acknowledgements of other authors’ work when we are close. It is a special feeling.
Definitely not a small honor. It’s been reserved for some of my most treasured friends.
Yes! I reached out to Jessie while prepping this article. Some of her books are dedicated and some are not, but the ones she dedicated are all to family.
Haha! I’m not sure a more accurate dedication exists – I could have written it myself!
I love the notes from the author at the end of books! So much extra insight about them and their process and values.
That’s so sweet about your mom and her reviews/fandom. I can’t imagine the loss— my mom is 100% my biggest supporter as well.
Oh interesting! I never thought about that for a different type of project, but it makes perfect sense.
It was it came about from a goodreads group. We had 2 published authors in Janet Tronstad and Jillian Hart, Also Danica Favourite (was published with in a year) Another lady who has since published. Camy Tang was there for a day (before I made it there) and an Author from Spokane was there for a short time. We had around 10 people and 2 husbands, It was for a weekend Most got there Friday night and left either late Monday or Tuesday morning. I was on a tour so arrived around 4-pm Sunday. (very long day up from before 5am in Washington DC and arriving in Washington State.)
Hi Tara. I always read the dedications. I find the ones dedicated to husband, children and parents as well as God the ones that stick out in my mind the most. After all, the book would not have been written without those behind the scenes cheering you on. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.
While I don’t read every dedication in every book, I have read quite a few over the years. One writer I know has nicknames for her family, who she often dedicates her stories to…..calls her husband Cap’n Hook, her daughter Coco & her son Peter Pan. I think that’s so sweet :-)
sometimes read them
I always read the dedications in all books that I read.
Yes I do
I always read the dedication page, I think its fun seeing who the author was inspired by or wants to dedicate the book to.
I enjoy reading the dedication page. I almost always go back to read the dedication and look at the art work on the cover. I also look at copyright info to see when it was written.
I read them! I always find it very interesting who the author will dedicate a book to, recently I was reading a book of clean fantasy and surprise! The author dedicated the book to God.