Readers often overlook the book dedication (unless a book is dedicated to them), but they mean a lot to us authors. And some of them are just as entertaining or endearing as the novel itself.
For example: To Collin Firth. You’re a great guy, but I’m married, so I think we should just be friends.
And: Dedicated to everyone who wonders if I’m writing about them. I am.
Romance novels are often dedicated to husbands, but my first one, Love Finds You in Sun Valley, came out right after my husband left me. So I dedicated it to the couple who let me and my kids live in their basement. She fed us, he fixed the brakes on my minivan, and I am eternally grateful. At the time, all I could give them in exchange was this:
My latest novel is set in a tea house, which I HAD to dedicate to my mom because not only did she used to run a tea house of her own, but she was my very first editor and biggest cheerleader.
As I was thinking about this and considering to whom I should dedicate my next novel, I decided to go through my bookshelf and look for the best dedications I could find. Thus, I give you my top ten.
Let’s start with those who did dedicate books to their spouses. This one from Victoria Bylin in Someone Like You makes me want to go check all her novels to see if they say this:
And I can’t forget Siri Mitchell’s dedication in Kissing Adrien:
Melissa Ferguson’s debut novel included her husband and her…minions:
When I asked Avid Readers for the best book dedication they’d ever read, the first response I got was for Before I Called You Mine by Nicole Deese. The book is about adoption and dedicated to her adopted daughter. The book isn’t physically on my shelf, but it’s on my Kindle, so I figured it counts:
My favorite dedication to a child/children comes from Heather Woodhaven because it’s so funny. And because I can relate:
Heather also gets props for this one. Not only because I’m in her critique group and we shared the same editor but because she gives credit to chocolate:
Betsy St. Amant dedicated All’s Fair in Love and Cupcakes to her sis, though cupcakes get a lot of love here, as well:
Janice Thompson recognizes a lost loved one in Fools Rush In. I may not have known Billie Moseley, but I like to picture him wearing cowboy boots in heaven too:
Speaking of heaven, it’s hard to top this dedication from Susan May Warren:
Though Terri Blackstock might have done it with this dedication in all three books of her If I Run Series:
I did dedicate one book to God for adopting me into His family, though, seriously, without Him none of them would exist.
I’m not sure who I’ll dedicate my next book too. I’ve considered coffee. And I’ve also considered you. Readers rock.
If you wrote a book, who would you dedicate it to?
I do read dedications and have been mentioned in a couple of books which is always humbling and exciting at the same time.
It’s nice to see who dedications are too some are very long with several paragraphs of mentions.
I am sure I have seen a pet or two mentioned before (I think that’s cool cos I love my cats)
I have also seen the person who supplied the food, coffee etc to the author mentioned too.
Quirky is fun.
I read dedications too.
I think I would have to dedicate a book/s to the women in the family. Forces to be reckoned with.
Hi Angela! What a unique inspiring blog. I have had a book dedicated to me. Always fun to see one’s name in print or on my kindle. I would dedicate a book to my mom. We shared the love of reading. Also after being the only girl in my family – father, brother, husband, three sons and two grandsons – to my granddaughter Maddie. She is mini me. We have a special connection. Then to our beloved Sheltie Penny (RIP) and coffee. Thanks for sharing. Fun blog. Best wishes.
It is always interesting reading the dedication! The one time I didn’t read it (because it was a beta read and the book opened at the first chapter, the author was hinting around and finally I asked her what was her problem and she said I didn’t read the whole book, she was spot on, I then did and she made me happy cry with her eloquent thanks.
I think it is always important to give credit where it is due, but wouldn’t know where to start in a dedication as it seems to me it takes a tribe to birth a book.
Love this! So far my dedications have been to God, Nora Ephron, and my husband…in that order. 😂
I love reading dedications. I can’t remember who, but I remember one author thanking her family for living off of toast and cereal while she met her deadline.
Although this wasn’t for my romances, I co wrote a YA/Women’s Fiction series with our teen daughter and she thanked her dad for all the lunch money he gives her!
I love reading the dedications! I read anything in the book, even the author bios! I’ve seen a few of them change over the years, too! I would dedicate a book to my Mom and Daddy. Without them, I wouldn’t be here, and to God, for without Him, I wouldn’t be here, either! I’ve read some dedications that are four or more pages long, too.
Yet another fun and thought-provoking post, Angela. I do read the dedications and enjoy the ones that have some fun in them. For my writing (not necessarily all in the same book), I would need to include God and my wife. But eventually, I would have the following:
To my mom, the French teacher and my dad, the music teacher, author and artist, from your son, the software engineer. See? I finally did something you would understand.
I’d probably dedicate it first to God who gave me the words for the story, then my husband for the support and encouragement he would give me for writing the book. Then I would probably name my “team” of family members, editors & any other writers who helped me along the way. I don’t know exactly what the dedication would say since I am not a writer, but I know I would give credit to all the people who believed in me :-)
I love reading dedications in books! It’s the affirmation of the people in your life who make a difference and support you wholeheartedly.
P. S. That really should read “… something you would want to understand.”
I’ve written three books so far.
The first I dedicated to my husband: “To my wonderful, loving husband Chris, who is my inspiration in all romantic things. You are my knight in shining armor, and I’m a hopeless romantic when it comes you, Baby. I love you!”
The second I dedicated to my mom: “To my mother, thank you for always believing in me and always encouraging me in my writing. And thanks for introducing me to romance novels in the first place.”
The second I dedicated to my sister: “To my sister, Rebecca, for letting me use parts of your story and for being encouraging and for listening throughout this journey. You’re one of my best friends!”
I’m not sure who I’ll dedicate the next one to.
My parents who taught me to always put Jesus first, to Work hard, and to love uncondionally.
I do love quirky. And that’s so cool you’ve been mentioned!!!
Sounds like a wonderful heritage.
That’s so special. Sounds like you have a lot to be thankful for!
Definitely takes a tribe. How sweet to have a book dedicated to you!
Nora Ephron? Yes!!! You must have an awesome hubby if he ranks up there with God and Nora.
Ha! Where would us writers be without toast? And how cool to write with your daughter!!!
The long ones might be considered the acknowledgements. I love that you read every word, and I’m sure your parents (including your Heavenly Father) would be very honored.
Ha. I love it. I look forward to reading that acknowledgement in a book.
Yea. It’s so special to recognize the people who believe in you. <3
Those are so special. I’ve named characters after my siblings, but I don’t think I’ve dedicated books to them. That is a great idea!
Well said! And well deserved. Those are some life-changing lessons there.
What a delightful mix of dedications! Some of them made me tear up, and others made me grin and even laugh. (I’m a Colin Firth fan–my husband knows it). Speaking of my husband, thank you for including the dedication to Someone Like You. That book was a tough one to write, and my husband encouraged me through the entire journey. Something tells me the book in progress right now is going t be dedicated to him as well :)
I forgot who would I dedicate a book too. Well if I was to write a book it would probably be about cat antics so I would dedicate the book to Henry and Libby for giving me material. And to Lilly and Maia who showed me that I had to be a cat owner. (there mama may get a mention for allowing me the chance to kitty sit for 8 months)
How sweet. Thank you for sharing! He sounds like a good guy.
my friend Marsha
I love dedications! I consider them a peek into the mindset of the author during the creation of that particular book. The chocolate & “my family lived on love and hubby’s efforts during the process…” ones are fun. Dedications to the hubby make me smile, knowing someone at home is supporting the author during their (mostly alone) effort. I recently finished a novel with a K-9/SAR type dog & handler in it. The author commented in his dedication that his aged dog had just died and he used the book to work through his grief and to acknowledge his close relationship with his lost pet. ❤️ I enjoyed the story more knowing that.
If my hubby was supportive, lol, I’d like to acknowledge him in that. If my effort ever made it to print, God would definitely require praise – since that would be an obvious miracle. Otherwise, whatever inspired that current work in process, I guess. :D
Those were some great dedications. I agree with the one by Nicole Deese . It really touched me when I read her excellent book!