How do you write a book dedication?
As in, how do you decide to whom you should dedicate your book?
Maybe it’s hard after you’ve published 100 books–as in, “is there anyone left?”
The first one was easy.
And then, now for me, there are eleven.
How to decide the people for a book dedication?
Actually, I forgot to dedicate my first novella, The Dogtrot Christmas.
I was so excited to receive my first contract, I overlooked the opportunity!
But never again.
I like to match my stories with the people who instigated the idea.
For The Goldrush Christmas–which included sailing to Alaska–the book dedication highlighted the guys I sailed with on the same route.
Like my 1897 characters, our 1991 trip to Skagway included sleeping on the ship’s deck and admiring spectacular views.
I even included a few personal stories (Michelle and six guys go camping to Alaska). Why wouldn’t I dedicate it to my husband, father-in-law, three sons, and one godson?
(And since I didn’t know if I’d be published again, I tossed in my baby grandson!)
The next book dedication for An Inconvenient Gamble, naturally went to my girls.
I’ve acquired more grandchildren since then. I’ll need to write another book!
A trickier book dedication
After clearing the in-house family expectations, it got interesting.
The Yuletide Bride involved music. So I acknowledged my woodwind quintet and the church choir.
They loved it!
The Sunbonnet Bride focused on a small town business and a teacher.
Ha! My extended family–which includes a businessman and a teacher. (I’m not sure any of them read it or cared–but I’ve got it in writing!)
In 2013 I began writing about Oswald and Biddy Chambers–the “big” books in my mind.
A Poppy in Remembrance, based on themes in My Utmost for His Highest, examines the relationship between a father and daughter.
Writing dialogue in that story was effortless.
My husband’s first read caused an eyebrow raise. “Did you just quote verbatim?”
My jaw dropped. I hadn’t seen it.
No wonder the story felt so natural.
After publication, I realized, too, my daughter was the same age as Claire.
That book dedication went to my parents.
To whom does an author dedicate a biography?
It depends.
As I wrote Mrs. Oswald Chambers, I reflected on all the people who contributed to my faith.
Their teaching, love, concern, prayers, and encouragement enabled me to see Oswald and Biddy’s faith in action.
Years of Bible study helped me understand My Utmost for His Highest!
I really couldn’t have written the biography without their input over the course of my life.
(And that included my children!)
I also couldn’t have written the book if Oswald hadn’t spoken about and taught the concepts.
Without Biddy’s editorial work, I’d never have read anything.
The biography’s book dedication took up most of a page!
And for Overflowing Faith: Lettie Cowman and Streams in the Desert?
The book dedication for the first woman head of an international missionary organization, became clear early on.
I felt humbled in reading about and then learning of the sacrifices made by so many missionaries throughout history.
I could only dedicate Overflowing Faith to those who have served–often overseas, often running camps, always at personal sacrifice.
Thank you.
Many authors dedicate books to their readers–which is only fair since readers’s enjoyment IS the main reason to write a book.
So, thank you readers.
(Please write a review if you want to see more books! Three sentences–good or bad–is fine!)
Note: if you google “book dedications,” you’ll find many hilarious variations.
If I get to write more books, I may try a few myself. 🙂
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Love this, Michelle. I’ve thought of my work in progress and want to dedicate it to my father, who inspired the story. But there are lots of others who need acknowledgment–but that’s not the dedication. I’m going to have to google “book dedications”. Sounds fun.