How do you decide which one to include in your nonfiction book? All of them are optional but they each have a purpose.
Foreword
The author does not write the Foreword. It is spelled Foreword because it is a “word” be”fore” the book itself. The Foreword is an external endorsement or perspective on the book. The person who writes the Foreword can be an expert in the book’s subject matter. It could also be written by a celebrity or someone close to the author. A foreword offers insights into the author’s qualifications, the significance of the topic, or the book’s contribution to the field of knowledge about the subject matter. It lends authority to your book and may increase its potential for sales. The Foreword is always signed, usually with the person’s name, title, and date.
Don’t think you have to go to the biggest name in your field or someone well known to the average person to write the Foreword. The person writing the Foreword just needs to have a recognizable title. For example, people may not know the name of the Dean in the Computer Science department at your Alma Mater but readers will recognize and understand that the Dean can make an informed comment about your book on Blockchain technology.
When making the request, remember the person is likely very busy and you’re asking them for a favor. Make it as easy as possible for them to say yes. First, share the positive impact they had on you and how that informed your writing. Include the book description which will include the premise of the book, the intended audience, and the three to five things the reader will learn by reading the book. Let them know the Foreword doesn’t have to be long – a few hundred words are all that’s needed. You could even give them the option to dictate the Foreword and have it transcribed. If you know the person really well, you could draft a Foreword for them and request they edit it if desired.
Finally, ensure you attach a pdf copy or link to the book draft so that the person can easily reference the text. Of course, a thank you for taking the time and a promise to send them a signed copy of your book after publication is mandatory.
Preface
The author writes the preface. It provides background information on how the book came about and why the author decided to write it. It answers the questions: why was this particular book written? Why did the author decide to publish it at this point in time? And why is this author the right person to share their thoughts on the subject? It includes details about the author’s motivation, experiences, and personal anecdotes relating to the book’s creation. It offers insights into the author’s perspectives and intentions for what the reader will gain by reading the book. It can include the methodology of how you gathered the information. It provides the author’s main argument or point of view about the subject.
In Book Smart: The Ninety-Day Guide to Writing and Self-Publishing for Busy Entrepreneurs, Business Owners, and Corporate Professionals, I share my origin story of how I became a book coach. I describe the trial and error process I used when writing my first book, Maximum Occupancy, and how that led me to create a repeatable process I could use to guide other people on the road to becoming published authors.
Introduction
The author writes the introduction. The introduction sets the stage for the book’s main content and outlines the scope of the content. It prepares the reader for what to expect and contains essential information needed to get maximum value from the reading experience. It describes what the reader should know before proceeding to read the book.
The introduction should draw the reader in and get them excited so they’re more likely to finish the book as opposed to abandoning it before the end. Check out my post: How to Write a Compelling Start to Your Nonfiction book for some examples on how to hook the reader in immediately.
The introduction will explain the purposes and the author’s goals for readers. It can also reflect on the pain points the reader is experiencing and how the book will alleviate that pain. It will spell out the organization and scope of the book. It can include the chapter structure and how the reader should approach the book, such as reading each chapter in sequence or skipping around. For example, if there are questions after each chapter or motivational quotes, here is where you would share that information and give the reader instructions on incorporating their use while consuming the book.
References
Parts of Your Book | iUniverse. https://www.iuniverse.com/en/resources/publishing/parts-of-your-book
