How to Dedicate a Book

Book dedications were begun as a way to give thanks to a patron, often in exchange for money to finance the book. Today, they are a way to express gratitude for inspiration and are often a very personal process. Some people, especially those close to you, might want to claim the honor of the book dedication, but keep in mind that it’s your decision alone.

Part 1: Choosing the Focus of Your Dedication

Step 1: Brainstorm Names of Potential People

• Make a list of people who you might dedicate a book to. These might include your spouse or partner, children, parents, or friends. Who is most important to your project and your inspiration as a writer?
• Consider if you actually know the person to whom you’re dedicating the book. You can also brainstorm names of people that you don’t know personally but whom you admire.

Step 2: Make a List of People Who Are Not Appropriate for This Dedication

• The book’s subject matter might mean that a certain person is not an appropriate choice. For example, if you have a book with troubling or adult subject matter, you may not want to dedicate the book to a child.

Step 3: Make a List of the Book’s Themes

• If you don’t have a specific person in mind to dedicate your book to, think about dedicating it to someone who tirelessly supports the themes in your book.

Step 4: Brainstorm Reasons Why You Want to Dedicate the Book to Someone

• Consider why certain people contributed to your overall writing career and how they may have contributed to this particular project.

Step 5: Fulfill a Promise or Request

• You may have promised a spouse or friend that you’d dedicate your first book to them. If someone asked you to dedicate the book to them, consider if it feels right.

Step 6: Choose Something That’s Not a Person

• You might choose a pet or even an object that particularly inspired you as you worked on the book.

Part 2: Wording Your Dedication

Step 1: Start Off the Dedication Simply

• Many dedications use the words “To,” “For,” or “In Loving Memory of.” Some of the most heartfelt dedications are the simplest ones, using only a few words.

Step 2: Reflect Your Personality in Your Dedication

• If you are a formal person, a humorous dedication might seem out of character. Reflect your personality and character in your dedication.

Step 3: Reflect Your Relationship with the Person You’re Dedicating the Book To

• You might write a very personal dedication or use an inside joke.

Step 4: Reinforce Your Book’s Central Message or Theme

• Some books have a very clear theme and it is a natural fit to use the dedication as a place to thank someone for their contribution to that theme.

Step 5: Use a Quotation or Poem

• You can dedicate your book to someone and use a quote or poem to express your sentiments.

Step 6: Browse Dedications from Your Favorite Authors

• Search online for book dedications and see how others have honored people in their lives with a sincere or humorous dedication.

Part 3: Finalizing Your Dedication

Step 1: Double-Check Spelling and Grammar

• Have a few other people read your dedication. Make sure your meaning is clear and that things are spelled correctly.

Step 2: Finalize Your Formatting

• Most dedications are centered on the page. For some types of dedications, you might preserve the original formatting, especially for poems.

Step 3: Tell the Person You’re Dedicating Your Book To

• Let this person know that your book will be dedicated to them. Giving them a heads-up might be a courteous thing to do.

By following these steps, you can create a meaningful and personal book dedication that honors the people or inspirations that supported your writing journey.