Book offerings are initiated as a way to thank the sponsor, often in return for the costs incurred to fund the book. Today, a presentation page is a way of expressing gratitude for the inspiration provided and is often a very personal process. Some people, especially those close to you, may want to ask for a place of honor in your book offering, but remember that this is solely your decision.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Choosing the Focus of a Book Presentation
Step 1. Think of the names of some potential people
Make a list of people to whom you would like to dedicate the book. This can include spouse, children, parents or friends. Who is most important to your project and who inspires you as a writer?
- You may think of someone who is the basic reason you wrote this book. Your book may be about that person or written in memory of them. This person could be a reasonable choice for your offering.
- Consider whether you really know the person to whom you are dedicating the book. You can also think of the names of people you don't personally know but admire.
Step 2. Make a list of people who are not suitable for this offering
The subject matter of books, for example, can be the reason why certain people are not the right choice. For example, if your book is on a subject that worries or concerns adults, you shouldn't dedicate it to children.
Step 3. Make a list of the book's themes
If there is no special person you would like to include in your offering, think about making an offering to someone who always supports the themes in your book. This can help you figure out who is the best candidate for your offering.
Step 4. Think of reasons you would want to dedicate a book to someone
You may want to dedicate a book to someone because they inspire you or because they have pushed you to become a writer. Think about the contributions of certain people to your writing career. Think also about their contribution to this particular project.
Step 5. Fulfill the promise or request
You may have promised a partner or friend that you would dedicate your first book to them. You may want to fulfill this promise by dedicating your book to them. Similarly, other people may have asked you to dedicate a book to them.
Don't feel obligated to dedicate your book to someone who asks for it. This is a very personal process, and if you don't choose the right person, you can choose someone else's name. However, be prepared to explain to the person in question why they were not selected
Step 6. Choose something that is not a person
There's no rule that says you need to choose someone for your offering page. For example, you could choose a pet or even an object that was particularly inspiring when you were writing a book.
For example, Robin Hobb, in his book "Ship of Magic," wrote a presentation page like this: "For caffeine and sugar, my friend endured long nights of writing."
Part 2 of 3: Writing the Words of Offering
Step 1. Start the presentation page simple
Many presentation pages use the words “To,” “To,” or “In Loving Memories.” Some of the most sincere examples of offerings are simple offerings, which use only a few words.
- F. Scott Fitzgerald dedicated some of his books like this: “Once Again for Zelda.”
- King C. Gillette's book offering, The People's Corporation is as follows: "For humanity."
Step 2. Reflect on your personality on the presentation page
If you're a very formal person, a light, humorous presentation page may not seem like your character. Similarly, if you're a laid-back person, your offering page may not be very formal. Think about how to reflect your personality and character on the presentation page.
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In his presentation of his book Anansi Boys, Neil Gaiman takes a humorous approach by dedicating to an anonymous "you". "You know how it goes. You buy a book, turn to the offering page and find that, once again, the author is dedicating the book to someone else and not to you.
Not this time.
Even though we've never met/only ever looked at each other/infatuated with each other/haven't seen each other for a long time/it turns out that there's a sibling relationship/will never meet, but believe me, even so, we'll always remember each other!
This book is for you.
With you know what, and you may know why."
Step 3. Reflect on your relationship with the person to whom you are offering
You can write down a personal offering, or even use humor that only the two of you know.
- Carl Sagan dedicates his book Cosmos to his wife: “In the vastness of space and the immensity of time, it has been my pleasure to travel through planets and ages with Annie.”
- Tad Williams dedicated his book series Otherland to his father in a cute and sweet way: “This book is dedicated to my father Joseph Hill Evans with love. Actually Dad doesn't read fiction, so if someone didn't tell him about this, he'd never know.”
Step 4. Reinforce the message or core theme of your book
Some books have a clear theme and it's natural to use the presentation page as a place to thank someone for their contribution to the theme.
- For example, Vaughn Davis Bornet dedicates his book, Welfare in America, to someone who works to improve the welfare of the people: “He devoted his life to the administration of government and the voluntary agencies set up to help the hungry and homeless.”
- For a children's book about a mouse, Beatrix Potter wrote a tribute to her pet rat: “In memory of 'SAMMY,' the persecuted (yet hard to control) representative of the pink-eyed and intelligent race. A loving little friend, and a talented thief!”
- The offering for the first Lemony Snicket book is simply: "To Beatrice-- lover, beloved, dead." The offerings for each subsequent book are further jokes about Beatrice's death. These offerings help set the mood (dark and ironic humor) throughout the book.
Step 5. Use a quote or poem
You may like a special quote or poem, or find it inspirational. You can dedicate a book to someone and use that quote or poem to convey what you want to say. Or, you can use a quote or a poem and not mention the name at all.
Quotes can come from famous people, or from people you know
Step 6. Find sample presentation pages from your favorite authors
Look for sample offering pages online and see how others have rewarded the people in their lives with sincere or humorous offerings.
Part 3 of 3: Final Touches of Book Presentation
Step 1. Double check spelling and grammar
Have a few people read your presentation page. Make sure the meaning you want to convey is clear and all parts are spelled correctly. Have your editor read the entire page.
Step 2. Complete the page format
Most of the presentation pages are in the center of the page. Some of the presentation pages might be better lined up on the left.
For some types of presentation pages, you should keep the original formatting. For example, if you include a poem on the presentation page, we recommend that you use the original format of the poem, and not create a new format
Step 3. Tell the person you are giving an offering to
Let the person know that your book will be dedicated to them. You don't need to give them the opportunity to decline the offering, but it's polite to let them know beforehand. Fans can react to the offering – hopefully in a positive way – and it would help if the person concerned knew about it.
Tips
- The presentation page is different from the awards page. The awards page can describe in more detail the people involved in the writing process: for example, archivists if history books are written, helpful editors, writing groups, and so on.
- You don't need to write a presentation page at all. There's no rule that says your book needs an offering page. People generally do list them, but they don't really need to.
