How to Write a Foreword: What to Include, Plus Real Examples

Follow PHEBINHVANHOC on

YOU ARE READING: How to Write a Foreword: What to Include, Plus Real Examples – TCK Publishing AT PhebinhvanhocEN

Each section of a book has its own purpose and goals, from the front matter to the appendix. One important element that nonfiction authors may want to include is a foreword.

The foreword, which is usually written by an industry insider or influential figure for someone else’s book, can help establish the author’s credibility.

You are reading: Examples of forewords for books

In this post, we’ll look at how to write a foreword if you’ve been asked to write one for a book, plus real-world examples of a foreword.

how to write a prologue

many people confuse this word with “forward”. but the word “prologue” has the root of the word “before”, which means “before”. The prologue is the section of a book that precedes the body of the book.

Let’s take a moment to discuss how a foreword differs from a preface. The preface is preliminary material written by the author to introduce the book, usually explaining his motivation and inspiration for writing the book.

In contrast, the foreword is written by someone else and is intended to endorse the author and their work. Usually someone with more experience or authority on the subject writes the foreword, lending credibility to a lesser-known author. (See our post on requesting a foreword if you’re looking for someone to pitch your book.)

If you’re invited to write a foreword for a friend’s or colleague’s book, consider it an honor! Here are some tips to help you write an effective foreword:

be honest. flattery has no place in the prologue. instead, be honest about the strengths you see in the author.
write in a style similar to that of the book. If the book is a fun, comedic piece, inject humor into your foreword as well. but if you’re serious and contemplative, try to maintain a similar vibe.
keep it short and sweet. a good estimate is one to two pages, or 750 to 1,500 words.

good prologue examples

here are some excerpts from forewords written by influential people for lesser known authors:

example #1. nuptial intercession by gary wiens, foreword by mike bickle

this christian non-fiction book on prayer has a foreword by mike bickle, founder of the international house of prayer-kansas city, a very appropriate person to comment on the subject. Here is an excerpt to show you how Mike describes his relationship with Gary:

It has been a pleasure knowing Gary Wiens since 1985 in a friendship that has grown from mere acquaintance to partnership in ministry. since he and mary came with their family to kansas city in 1996, i have watched him grow in his relationship with the man jesus christ to the point where his heart burns with the desire to go deeper and deeper into the knowledge of the beauty of the knight I have seen their children establish themselves as godly young men and I have deeply appreciated the contributions this family has brought to this city, first to Metro Christian Fellowship and now to the House of Prayer.

example #2. franziska iseli’s map of courage

richard branson wrote the foreword to this new book on self-improvement and learning to live courageously:

I have always liked adventure and I have been lucky enough to share many of them with my family and friends. So when Franziska told me about her silk road motorcycle trip, she intrigued me.

Every day I see people doing great things in the world. What do they have in common? the courage to go after your dreams and make a positive impact. Franziska’s book shows how that message can help you run your life and your business based on courage, love, and kindness instead of fear.

what is included in a prologue?

These are the key elements to include in your foreword if you’ve been asked to write one:

1. introduction (1-2 paragraphs)

This is where you introduce yourself and your relationship to the author. remember that the prologue is addressed to the reader.

Although most people who are asked to write a foreword already have a solid platform, assume that not all readers will know who you are. share your credentials, stating why you have the authority to comment on the topic. most of the time, you won’t have to go into too much detail.

2. relationship connection (2-3 paragraphs)

After introducing yourself, share how you came to know the author. some writers describe their first meeting or their first impression of the author. Others share an anecdote, which can help readers grow fond of the author.

3. main body: introduction to the book (1-3 paragraphs)

After establishing your relationship with the author, you can start talking about the book. Some writers like to provide a brief summary, while others prefer to highlight their favorite parts of the book.

4. main body: a personal endorsement (1-2 paragraphs)

One of the purposes of the foreword is to develop the author for the readers. some writers do this before describing the book. others give a brief overview of the book first.

In any case, it describes the book and why the author is the best person to write this book. you can do it by sharing examples of:

how they demonstrate expertise in the topic
how they have already helped other people with their knowledge
their motivation to delve into this topic

5. conclusion (1 paragraph)

in closing, remind your readers why you are writing the foreword for the author. This is also where you can remind your readers of what they can get from the book.

6. sign your name as if it were a letter.

sign your name at the end, because a book’s foreword is essentially a letter of support written for the reader!

write a prologue

As you can see, writing a foreword or asking someone important to write a foreword for your book can really help your platform or another author’s.

Now that you understand how it works best, you can move on to the next phase of writing your book: preparing the preliminary material and moving closer to publication!

Did you find this post useful? Let us know in the comments below!

If you enjoyed this post, you might like it too:

what is a preface? how to present your book to the world
parts of a book: the basic anatomy of book design
how to write the first chapter of a book: a checklist for novelists
how to finish your book: 5 steps to write a fantastic final chapter

Other content

How to Write a Foreword: What to Include, Plus Real Examples – TCK Publishing