When I was in book publishing, I was graciously included in several authors' acknowledgments for my part in the editorial process. It's been years since I've been in the industry, but I still look at the Acknowledgments page of every book I read, even though I recognize that the list of names means something only to those listed.
Now I read them because I love coming across ones that are particularly interesting, witty, clever, or, as in the case below, honest.
I'm halfway through So Much for That by Lionel Shriver, and, no surprise, I've already flipped to the back and read her "thank-yous." And, I loved this:
"Novelists thanking spouses for their amazing patience during the agony of artistic creation gets pretty tired. Besides, I don't consider writing an agony, and my husband Jeff is not remotely patient. Yet he did furnish me one gift for which any author's gratitude is bottomless: a good title."
I'd like to know...do you read an author's Acknowledgments page?
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I will read the acknowledgments page on the rare occasion, but generally I just skip them.
I've always liked to read the acknowledgements page even though usually I have no clue who anyone is, lol.
I never used to read the acknowledgement pages, but I find myself reading them more and more frequently lately. Even though none of the names really mean anything to me, I get do get some sort of enjoyment out of seeing who the author chooses to thank and how they choose to thank them. It guess it's a little bit of a reminder that a lot more goes into a book than just the writing of it....if that makes any sense.
I always read the acknowledgements and think that they are fascinating.
Interesting post,
thanks for sharing
Hannah
I do sometimes read the acknowledgements pages, mostly if I really liked the book. I'm reading this book now too as well, but am only about 100 pages in.
I like to read the acknowledgment page.... it gives me a little more insight on the author.
Sometimes i do, most of the time i do not think to because i am to excited about reading the actual book!
WOW...sounds like my kind of book! Thanks Jill.
Here is my pick:
http://bibliophilebythesea.blogspot.com/2010/03/waiting-on-wednesday-language-of-sand.html
Sorry I posted my WOW on the wrong post LOL
I do read the author acknowledgments page.
I can tell you this. Writing your acknowledgements is the most exciting thing about being a published author The first time you do that -- and really every time -- it's like being on top of the world.. I guess it's like taking a bow in the theater. There's a certain formality to it.
I always read them. Sometimes to see people I know. Sometimes to see what artists colony the author went to or who gave them a grant. And also to see how much personality is or isn't conveyed.
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