This topic came up in the Forum recently, and I’m curious how The Readers At Large are thinking on the subject.
What do we think about thanking the Academy? Do you like acknowledgment sections? Feel they’re self-indulgent? Touching? Do you notice? Not notice?
If you’re reading in a feed reader or via e-mail, click through for the fancy dancy poll:
Word Lily says
I like reading Acknowledgments in a book, but I only like them at the end. If they're placed at the beginning of a book, I quite dislike them.
Hannah says
As a reader, I usually don't notice them unless they're particularly interesting or well-written, but I think it's nice to have them there. I prefer it if they say who people are and why they're thanking them (like: to John Smith, who vigilantly kept the flying monkeys from eating this manuscript) rather than just a list of names.
ria says
I like them. They make the author human.
Peter Dudley says
Word Lily's got a great point. I hadn't realized I felt this way until I read it in the comments.
Ariel Swan says
I always read them now – before I was a writer I didn't usually – but now I love them – often I read them first. The acknowledgements give me a glimpse into the writer's journey and often offer the name of an agent – which is helpful when I love the book and feel it is in my genre.
Andrea says
I also prefer them at the end, but otherwise don't mind them. Everyone deserves to get their thanks in. There are always people around that contribute to your book in some way while you're writing.
Like, I got the title of my book from a friend during a night of drunk conversation. I'd thank that guy.
Ed Marrow says
I like them. I look in them to find out who the author's agent is. Generally, the agents are thanked in the first sentence or so.
Also, it is a nice way, as ria said, to humanize the writer. We can see a little bit of who they are outside the story.
Elie says
I was amazed to read how many people had helped and been involved in the writing of one particular book (YA historical fantasy).
My own experience of writing is quite solitary, and I research & work stuff out on my own (with the help of blogs like this and SCBWI) – so those acknowledgements revealed a different world. Interesting.
Kathryn Packer Roberts says
I would personally do acknowledgments just to publicly thank everyone who worked so hard with me. I think they need recognition, too. I don't usually read other peoples', however, unless I really really admire the author or know them personally.
Becca says
They're okay, depending on how they're done. As a writer, it's definitely a plus to look and see who helped them along. But I like when they're humorous, and I like when they're at the end. When they're at the beginning, I feel like they take away from the book itself.
Sarah W says
Helpingeditingsupportingliving with a writer isn't easy and it's nice when that's acknowledged. It makes the author seem like a nice person.
'Course, I also like 'em because I've been mentioned in one or two (for research and beta reading). The next best thing to having your name on a book is to have your name in one!
Anonymous says
I think they may be a necessary evil. They thank the people who helped. Others read them so they know who helped who. If I remember correctly,your agent and editor want very much to be mentioned.
But like Word Lily, I'm for this happening at the back of the book too.
sooper says
I like it because I like knowing about the author and this gives a glimpse into who they are. Plus, it's a good way to search agents.
Lauren Elizabeth Morrill (Mona Mour) says
I always read the acknowledgment page, though that may be because I'm an author … I like to see if the author spoke to experts or did research or had a really great editor.
some chick says
To reiterate what others have said – I like them at the back. They make more sense there, after you have finished reading the book. So much support from others and research go into books that it's a matter of courtesy to publicly thank those who have helped the book come into being.
Anonymous says
When I come to the end of a book that has totally captured me, I'm always looking for more, and I'll read whatever's availabe: Acknowledgments, author info, ISBN. I appreciate an Acknowledgments that offers readers a glimpse into the author's process.
Reesha says
I hate them. Just get me to the story!
Though when my own book gets published, I'm going to be so grateful to everyone who helped of COURSE I'm going to have an acknowledgments section.
So, I guess I don't like them but I can see why they're important.
And my dad was once mentioned in someone else's acknowledgment page, and he always talks about it.
It totally made his day.
So I'm trying my best to not be so hard on acknowledgment pages.
Alii Silverwing says
I like 'em, but I also prefer them at the end. At that point I've already seen how much work went into the book and I am appropriately grateful to the fantastic people.
Or, alternatively, I know who to blame when the book went off the rails. *teases*
I would also much prefer intros at the end, honestly, because most of them contain crap that shapes how I think about a book and are completely unnecessary. Especially 'famous people' intros to republished editions where they gush about themes and events and I have no idea what's going on. If the intro or acknowledgements are smarmy or drippingly grateful, that colors my experience negatively.
Lexi says
Boring unless my name is in there.
(What? What? It's the truth…)
Polenth says
I can't remember the last time I read one, but I figure they're not really for me anyway. It's a way to thank the people who've helped the author, which is a nice thing to do, even if I'm not going to read it.
The whole of the rest of the book is for me. I'm not going to complain because the author wanted to take a page to thank people.
Carole says
I read every single one of them if I like the book. Someday I hope to be able to craft one.
Erica75 says
Until I started writing, I never paid a bit of attention. "Thanks to Mom and God" maybe stood out on the page, but I would never have read anything longer. In fact, I still don't, unless it's a writer I really want to know more about or if it's a book I'm using as a comp and wonder if they list their agent.
I agree with Polenth – they're mainly for the author and really shouldn't bother anyone else. Just skip it if you want.
Bethany says
I like Acknowledgements. I started reading them to see who the author relied on and why. And I also read them to see who the author's agent is to see if I recognize the name or not (because if I don't, then I know that's someone to research).
I loved Christie Craig's acknowledgements for her new book, "Shut Up And Kiss Me" it was written in the same style as her book…very witty, very conversational and made me laugh out loud. I know Christie in person so I was able to sit there and say "Yep, that is very much like her." So when the author's personality comes out the acknowledgements it makes it fun.
MommyJ says
I don't mind them. I think they need to be there for the author's sake. They've worked hard to get their book published, they need to be able to acknowledge who has helped them along the way. And now that I really think about it, I think I agree with ria. It does make them seem human.
Dick Margulis says
People, people. Let's make some categorical distinctions here. In MOST fiction, acknowledgments should be absent or brief or, as others have suggested, at the end. Get the agent and acquisitions editor in there, dedicate the book to your long-suffering spouse and children, and then get on with the show.
For a few categories of fiction (well-researched historical fiction, for example) and most categories of nonfiction, though, I think acknowledgments are de rigueur [stupid spell checker!].
Think of them like the credit roll at the end of a movie. YOU may not care who the key grip's third assistant is, but she needs her name there so she can put the film on her résumé. Whether her mother, her husband, or her banker cares is none of our business. Book acknowledgments work the same way. I can't hold up a book I edited or designed and claim credit for it if I'm not listed in the acknowledgments.
Acknowledgments are an important lubricant for a significant part of the book production industry. If you're not interested, don't read them.
Stu Pitt says
If a book does poorly but somehow merits another printing, Acknowledgments should be changed to Blame.
Melissa Gill says
I read acknowledgments they way I read the credits after a movie. If I really want to know who so and so was… But most of the time I skip it. As long as their at the end it's fine by me. No one's forcing me to read them.
It can be quite interesting to get a little peek at the author that way though.
D.G. Hudson says
I don't mind Acknowledgments but they should be brief. I like the idea of having all extraneous pages at the end of the book so that it doesn't slow down the reader. If they're too long, no one will read them, except those mentioned.
I think it fulfills a need to thank those who may have helped, and that's the author's prerogative, isn't it? But brief and and at the end would be my preference.
Mira says
I think it's fine and appropriate that an author thank anyone who helped with a book. Of course! It's not fair to leave out someone who helped out.
As a reader, I think they are great fun. I love skimming them and looking for little tidbits of drama.
I also have great fun planning my own acknowledgement sections, which are at least 50 pages long now, and include the air that I breathe and the sunshine that wakes me up in the morning.
As for whether they go at the front or the back, doesn't matter to me. I skip them, and come back to read them after I finished the book anyway.
Debbie says
I've always read Acknowledgements. I just find it interesting to see how much goes into making something, anything. But I stay and watch all the credits at a movie. And watch all the 'behind the scenes' extras on DVDs.
Of course, now I also look at the Acknowledgements to see who the agent was–just in case.
Oh, and I don't care if they're at the beginning or the end, I read them first anyway.
Emily White says
I love them. For one, it's made an aspiring writer's job much easier. If I'm reading a book with a similar style to my own, I just look in the acknowledgments to see who the agent was. I now have another agent to add to my list who I might not have had otherwise.
And really, I don't care where it's located. No one's forcing me to read it whether it's in the front OR the back.
cheekychook says
I like the acknowledgment section and actually feel a little let down if there isn't one. Placing them at the beginning of the book seems appropriate—the book would likely not be in existence without the people being thanked—their help preceded the publication, so their thanks should precede the reading material.
Just because it's at the beginning of the book doesn't mean it has to be read before the book is read—it's not essential to the plot, it's just in its proper, respectful place. I often go back and reread the acknowledgments after I'm done with the book—the people who are acknowledged frequently take on greater significance then because writers often thank specific people who impacted particular aspects of the story development or writing process.
Basically I like hearing people thank the other people who have shaped their life—it's why I always listen to the acceptance speeches at the Academy Awards (and why I get annoyed when the band starts playing to cut someone off at a poignant part of their overwhelmed babbling). I guess I'm just a sap!
Mina Witteman says
For reasons unknown to me – and I am not only a published writer, but also an editor – the Dutch like to keep up the myth of the hermit writer, locked up in his residence, contemplating, researching and typing away his days. Of course, that writer does everything himself. God forbid that the reader find out he had help! It would shatter dreams, I guess, but I am not sure who's dreams.
Would it shatter dreams?
No, I would love to be able to thank all the people that helped me out during my thinking process, with my research, with keeping me sane. It is what keeps a writer writing and it makes stories better stories.
So yes, a wholehearted YES!
But… at the end, please, as an acknowledgment should not influence the reader's experience or distract him from what the book is about: the story.
Alice says
As long as they are thanking everyone under the sun, they should thank ME for reading it.
I do usually read them. Sometimes before, sometimes after. It's not like I remember them though.
Krista V. says
Like several others have mentioned, I always scour the acknowledgments page for the name of the author's agent, especially if I liked the book and/or the book is similar in tone to one I'm working on. It's always nice to be able to mention an agent's client's work by name in the personalization of your query.
Nick says
I ignore them as I find them to be a somewhat pointless endeavour. Honestly if someone owes so deep a debt to someone for in some way aiding in getting that book written, they could take the time and have the decency to do more than write a quatrain.
Steve Masover says
I don't always read them, but if there's something intriguing about the book's topic or setting acknowledgments are a way of discovering something about how the author came to know her/his subject. I was interested in Ian McEwan's acknowledgments for Saturday, for example … how did he get to know some much about brain surgery? Also I like to read them if I think I might know someone who is thanked, the friend-of-a-friend thing.
WordLily got it right about placement: end of book, please.
Theresa Munroe says
I like them, at the end. It's sort of like movie credits. None of us work alone, especially if we get published. At least, from what I hear, having no personal experience with that part yet.
Anima says
An expression of gratitude should not annoy or bother you, especially when you aren't forced to read it. It's about love and civility. I'm a big fan of both.
Toby Speed says
I love them. I have medical and law enforcement people helping me, a historian, a pilot, and someone who knows about building construction in the early part of the century. I wouldn't dream of publishing my book without publicly thanking them.
Kyle says
I ALWAYS read them… They're part of the book!
Robin Constantine says
Like 'em. Placed anywhere. It's like peeking behind the curtain a bit and getting a glimpse at the author's creative process.
Also a really great way to find names of editors and agents!
Kellye Parish says
I love Acknowledgements and Dedications. Especially dedications. The idea of an entire artificial world being conceived and dedicated to one special reader just sends my heart a-flutter.
Ganz-1 says
Don't really think much about it. If it's there I'd read it if I feel like it.
Suzan Harden says
This is my ego talking, but yes, I like it when my crit partners publicly acknowledge my help. Like the time I spent my Winter Solstice/Christmas week proofing the ms for one person in particular who had a Jan. 2 deadline. The bottle of wine she gave me was nice too.
Joseph L. Selby says
I like the idea of them, but few authors seem to write them the way I would find interesting. I love reading Diana Gabaldon's acknowledgements. Look at all the people and all the time necessary to make this work. That's cool.
Lately it just seems like "here's my agent because and here's my editor because and here are my friends because". I always thought of the acknowledgements as the "above and beyond" category and was thrilled the time an author included me in it. To be included because I was involved in the process and did my job diminishes the relevance of the section.
I seem to be in the minority in that opinion. You linked previously to a post on the necessity of including one's agent and editor (and assistants of both) in the acknowledgements. The fact that it's a necessity is what makes me uncomfortable. It turns a reward into an expectation.
Ellen Painter Dollar says
I love reading them (gives me insight into how other writers do their thing), and writing them is fun. If I'm really struggling with writing the actual book, I'll sometimes take a few minutes to write a sentence or two of acknowlegments instead; it's a way of boosting my confidence and reminding me that, though writing is a solitary activity, I'm not in it alone.
As someone else said, I like reading acknowledgments that say what the author is thanking people for (instead of a simple list of names). But once I read some in which the author included lots cutesy little private jokes for the people he thanked, and I found that incredibly annoying. It read like a high school senior's yearbook page. Acknowledgments are a formal part of your book; do them professionally.
Sommer Leigh says
I like reading them at the end, even if they are at the beginning. Especially if the book is really good and I"m just not ready to let go yet. I read the acknowledgements page and feel like I had just a few more minutes with the author and their work.
I also use that page to find out who the editor, agent, etc was on a book I liked.
Suzi McGowen says
I like them if they are
a) short and snappy
or
b) funny and informative if long
I don't want three pages of "and I'd like to thank my dog, and my first grade teacher, and my second grade teacher and my third grade teacher…"
Gehayi says
Unless the book I'm reading is a novel that required a fair amount of research–which means that there are books and sites that should be credited and experts who should be thanked for their help–I see no need for acknowledgments. Acknowledgments saying thank you to husbands, wives, children, agents, best friends, etc. are silly. I don't care if Joanna Brodie has been the world's most patient spouse or if Max DeWitt has been the best friend in the universe–I don't know these people. Don't bore me with a list of personal thank yous. Dedicate the book to the people you want to thank, cut the acknowledgments unless you have research and experts to acknowledge, and GET ON WITH THE STORY.