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What should a "foreward" for a book contain?
I just got asked to write a "foreward" for an ebook. I wanted to ask the community (both content mavens and potential readers) what my approach should be. For example, do forewards talk about the book, the writer, the market?
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Best practice #1 - spell foreword correctly.
I've been helping a close friend with interior book design and content for her women's club's group project, a 100-year history of the club. The same question about a Foreword came up for us, too: What goes in one?
It appeared to us that a Foreword (which means "word that comes before") is typically written by someone with some celebrity; someone who is admired and whose experience and opionions are respected. For this book, that was the longest-time current member. She wrote briefly about what had happened in the way of progress, wars, depression, and recessions during that 100-year period and mused about what might happen in the next century. Then she wrote about what motivates club members to continue their philanthropic efforts on behalf of their community. Finally, she applauded the members' efforts and achievements over the past 100 years. She acknowledged that the club membership afforded each member an opportunity to apply her talents for the greater good, and to demonstrate the club's motto, "Strength United Is Stronger."
Finally, she wrote, "We do hope you enjoy reading this history. Sit back and enjoy!" And then her name was printed in larger type, with her credentials, "Placentia Round Table Member, 1949-Present," shown in smaller print below.
Hope that gives some direction.
Lynette M. Smith
ALL MY BEST Business and Nonfiction Copyediting
Per the dictionary: foreward = "prefatory comments . . . esp. when written by someone other than the author."
Per Words into Type: "The terms preface, foreword, and introduction are often used interchangeably. It is desirable, however, to differentiate them. A preface or foreword deals with the genesis, purpose, limitations, and scope of the book and may include acknowledgments of indebtedness; an introduction deals with the subject of the book, supplementing and introducing the text and indicating a point of view to be adopted by the reader. The introduction usually forms a part of the text; the preface [or foreword] does not."
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A foreword for a book or eBook - in my opinion - has a couple of jobs.
First - it should set up the problem/issue that the eBook is addressing.
Second - it should set up the author as the expert to address it.
Third - it should provide compelling reasons why people should read the eBook.
Fourth - it should share something related about your perspective as the introduction is your opinion/recommendation for the eBook. (which is probably obvious in 1-3)