I heard from my editor at Legacy Kids Press that my two books, Tiny Treasures: Pet Shop and The Christian Girls Guide to Grace (about etiquette) will be out soon! In fact, one is to be out late this Fall! And the other one maybe early spring. So this weekend I pondered about whom I would dedicate my books to. Such a big decision in few words!
I pulled up a discussion thread about dedications on Verla Kay’s Blue Boards, which was helpful. I even found a tiny article on ehow.com. And I also studied samples of other books in this series. It’s hard to choose whom to thank or whom to dedicate without overstepping someone.
So in 55 words I accomplished the dedication and acknowledgements. I used the subject matter to guide my decisions. But in each, I also gave thanks to God. Without Him, I wouldn’t have two books coming out.
If you’ve written book dedications and acknowledgements, how did you go about it? What did you consider?
21 comments
Comments feed for this article
September 24, 2012 at 2:28 am
Tracy Campbell
Hi Tina:
A great big, fantastical (is that a word) congratulations on not one, but two books debuting soon!
I’m so happy to see you acknowledged God first. Without the talents He’s provided, we wouldn’t be doing what we’re doing!
I haven’t written any dedications, yet. But when I get an agent for my baby book, grin, my dedication would be first to God, my parents, and my critique gal, and probably a few dozen more wonderful people.
Congratulations again, Tina!
September 24, 2012 at 2:48 am
Tina Cho
Thanks so much, Tracy! That’s neat you have your dedications planned. I hope you can pick up an agent soon. You’re so talented!
September 24, 2012 at 3:03 am
Tracy Campbell
As are you, Tina (talented that is)
September 24, 2012 at 2:30 am
Genevieve Petrillo
I was having breakfast with a friend (not a particularly close friend) about 15 years before my first book was even written. She asked what I was working on, and I was making excuses about why I hadn’t written anything lately. She reminded me that I wasn’t a writer if I didn’t write. It hit me like a hammer, and I got busy writing for my standard hour a day. Soon after, I had an acceptance from a magazine. I said, “I’m so glad you said that. I’m going to dedicate my first book to you!” Cut to years and years later, even though she wouldn’t have been my first choice, and I wasn’t even sure she remembered what I said so long ago, I honored that promise, and I’m very satisfied with the dedication.
September 24, 2012 at 2:49 am
Tina Cho
Thanks, Genevieve, for sharing your story! That’s great inspiration, and I’m glad you followed through dedicating your book to your friend!
September 24, 2012 at 5:26 am
Laura Sassi
First of all, CONGRATULATIONS! I can’t wait to get copies of your books. I’ve been asked to think about a dedication as well and am not sure how I want to write it. I thought my first step might be to go to the library, curl up in a corner of the picture book section and read the dedication pages of as many books as I can in an hour.
September 24, 2012 at 5:31 am
Annette Reeves
Tina,
I’m so proud of you for writing all of your books. You inspire me as I’ve always wanted to be a writer too. As I graduate my first child this year and look forward to the other four children to continue homeschooling, I realize I have a challenge still ahead of me. However, somewhere in there, I want to start trying to write. You are my inspiration!
Your friend,
Annette
September 24, 2012 at 5:36 am
Tina Cho
Thanks, Annette! How sweet! I know you’ll make a great writer! Any alone time you get, try writing something!
September 24, 2012 at 5:34 am
Tina Cho
Sounds like a good strategy, Laura! I can’t wait to be in your shoes, with a pb dedication!! And thanks for the kudos! BTW, isn’t your daughter’s name Abigail? That name is in the Christian Girl’s Guide to Grace in one of the stories because I have 2 nieces with that name!
September 24, 2012 at 5:54 am
Gloria McQueen Stockstill
Tina, how awesome about having TWO books coming out soon. Congrats!!!
Let us know when they are on Amazon.
As far as dedications, I dedicated my four children’s books to my family and the couple who presented Jesus to me and changed my life. Stretch Marks: Devotions for the Not-So-Perfect Woman is dedicated to my husband and the women for whom I wrote the book. I do have an acknowledgement section that gives glory to God for any talent I might have and also to my mentor, Nancy I. Sanders and my critique group. Both have been a great help in my writing journey.
September 25, 2012 at 2:25 am
Tina Cho
Thanks for sharing your dedication info, Gloria! Those are wonderful people to acknowledge.
September 24, 2012 at 6:44 am
Carrie Finison
Congratulations on your two books, Tina! That is so exciting. I always read the dedications in books and wonder about the relationships of the people named in them.
September 25, 2012 at 2:26 am
Tina Cho
Thanks, Carrie, for your kudos. Yes, I like reading dedications in books as well. Never thought I’d be writing my own!
September 27, 2012 at 7:54 am
Cathy Ballou Mealey
So exciting! Congratulations Tina.
September 27, 2012 at 2:55 pm
Tina Cho
Thanks so much, Cathy!
October 1, 2012 at 10:03 am
Hannah Holt
Yay! Congrats Tina. That’s exciting that you have two books out soon.
October 1, 2012 at 6:40 pm
Tina Cho
Thanks, Hannah! I can’t wait to see the covers!
October 3, 2012 at 4:46 am
Joanna
Congratulations, Tina, so exciting. Two, too! Did you read this on Kate Messner’s blog last week about dedications? http://www.katemessner.com/think-before-you-thank-writers-acknowledgments/
October 3, 2012 at 4:50 am
tinamcho
Hi Joanna!
Yes, Laura Sassi alerted me to Kate M’s blog post on this very subject. She made some great points! Thanks for sharing it with me, too!
October 16, 2012 at 7:29 pm
evelynchristensen
Congratulations, Tina, on your two books coming out soon!! I’m so pleased and excited for you. Yes, I’ve done dedications for all my books and all of the them are dedicated to God and to one or more other people. I think you said you’d read on my website about my experience with my first book, trying to dedicate that one to God. I’m glad you didn’t have to worry about that with your dedications.
October 16, 2012 at 9:08 pm
tinamcho
Thanks, Ev, for your fine example of writing dedications.