Writing the Foreword in a Book

Foreword, as compared to an introduction, is another introduction of some sort only that it is written by a person other than the author. The author introduces his book in an introduction or preface and another person, preferably someone famous, introduces him and his work in the foreword. It is written by a person known generally in public as an expert on the topic of the book, or is just simply popular and deemed expert on everything. That is the way with celebrities and other famous personalities. This is why its always good to have a foreword written by one of them, especially if you are just a budding author that nobody knows about. It would greatly help your sales, especially if you personally know the famous person who is going to write you a foreword. It adds credibility to your book.



Now, if you are actually the one who was asked to write a foreword. Wow! Congratulations! You must be really popular or must be an expert to be requested to do such an honor. However, you have no idea what to write, especially if you don't really know the author personally. So what do you do?



First, of course, is to read the material you are going to write a foreword for. Take note of the thing you find striking or remarkable in it and build your foreword around that. Forewords are best written in a chatty manner, like you are just talking to a friend and introducing another friend. And remember to be enthusiastic in doing so. Forewords are really intended to make sales make people want to buy the book. And that is your duty as the writer of the foreword. Tell the readers what you loved about the book and what you think the readers would like about it, too.



If you personally know the author of the book, you can also mention anecdotes about him that relates to the book. You can also mention how you came to know and how well you know the author. Tell the readers how that relates to the book at hand. If you know the author as a good friend, tell them that, too.

Now, if you don't personally know the author, you can just mention anecdotes about yourself that don't necessarily involve the author. Tell the readers how and why your personal life or that particular anecdote is related to the book. Write about how the book affected you and your outlook in life, or in love, or whatever the book is about.