Crafting Heartfelt Book Acknowledgements

John Briggs, a writer with nearly 20 years of experience, shares his insights on book dedications. Known for his book "Leaping Lemmings," released on September 6th, 2016, Briggs offers advice on who to dedicate your book to and the order in which to ask.

When embarking on a new book, the list of potential dedicatees can grow longer. It could be a personal choice, such as a family member or friend, a professional colleague, or even a commercial partner. Those who have contributed to the book's creation, like editors, publishers, or fellow authors, are also worthy considerations.

Briggs suggests starting with those closest to you, following a personal-to-commercial order. For a first book, it's common to dedicate it to a spouse or close family member. However, for his next book, Briggs chose to dedicate it to three sports figures: Bill Veeck, Max Patkin, and Bob Uecker.

When dedicating to the well-known, using a first name only might be appropriate. But, as Briggs points out, this might not apply to everyone, such as when dedicating to someone like Cher. It's essential to consider if someone might be offended if they're not included in the dedication.

Dedicating a book to a celebrity can be risky. They may not like the book or perceive it as an endorsement. But, a natural salesman could be a good choice for a dedicatee to help promote the book. Alternatively, the dedication can be given to someone who inspired the book or was a significant influence in its creation.

Briggs, author of "Leaping Lemmings," dedicated his first four books to his children and great-grandmother. But for his next book, he chose to branch out, dedicating it to the three sports figures who have inspired him.

The article concludes with sharing links for easy sharing on various social media platforms and email. Whether you're a seasoned author or just starting, Briggs' advice offers a practical guide to choosing the right dedicatee for your book.