“Why wasn’t I in your Acknowledgments?”
It started last week at my book launch event. My big brother/designated heckler (because I am, after all, his little sister) wanted to know if maybe my editor decided my book was just three letters too long, and that’s the only reason why I hadn’t included my brother’s name in my Acknowledgments.
Then instead of signing her book, a friend had me flip to the back and write in the Acknowledgment that had “obviously” been cut out in the editing process as well.
And I know those two people were joking, and they know I love them, so all was well.
But then I got the angry e-mail. Well, not so much angry as hurt. “Why did you include those people and not me?”
Which makes me think maybe this is something authors–or at least I–need to talk about out loud.
I put a lot of thought into who should show up on my Acknowledgments page. There are people who have helped me with my writing career in general, and people who helped me with this book specifically. I wanted every one of them to know that I was grateful for their part in getting me to the point where I had an actual published book we could all hold in our hands.
In other words, I wanted this Acknowledgments page to be for this specific book. Some of my other novels–ones I wrote before Evolution, Me, and Other Freaks of Nature and hope to see in the publishing lineup over the next few years–will have different acknowledgments specific to those books. And so on for my future works. Each book has its own share of people who inspired me, encouraged me, helped me, and gave me valuable research information. I’ll be able to say something about those people when it’s meaningful to do so–when we get to the books that match their efforts.
Then there’s the larger category of people I love–family and dear friends–all of whom have been my constant cheering section throughout my writing career. Should I have included them all in my Acknowledgments? The only family member I singled out was my husband, who had a direct effect on my writing career by supporting me while I made no money at it. He deserves a special mention for that and more. But what about my mother, my brothers, my whole family, and all of those people whose friendships I treasure? Was I wrong not to list them?
I’d be really interested in hearing your thoughts on this, whether you’re an author, a friend or relative of an author, or just someone who reads the Acknowledgments pages of books and wonders how people make the cut. What do you think the author’s policy should be?
[P.S. There were people who did help with this book, but that I hadn't met by the time I had to turn in my Ack page for editing. Those people--specifically Noreen and Elizabeth in Publicity, and Wendy and Sarah for their work on the BibleGrrrl website--will just have to accept my thanks in chocolate. Not quite as long-lasting as an Ack page (thank you, Sarah Miller, for giving me permission to call it that), but hopefully satisfying nonetheless.]
Technorati Tags: Writing, Publishing, Authors, Books, Authors’ Acknowledgments
September 2nd, 2007 at 11:51 am
Yeah, Acknowledgments pages can be hazardous. Who knew?
My feeling is this: If someone had a direct impact on the book in question, they should definitely be listed. Otherwise, it’s totally at the author’s discretion. Exception made for spouses and children, who are automatically acknowledged and/or put on the dedication page because we just make their lives hell.
September 2nd, 2007 at 12:44 pm
Oh goodness, the whole thing gives me a headache just to READ about . . . I have absolutely no advice, as I’m one of those people in the room with an invisible antenna on my head that goes beep-beep when someone is hurt or offended or feeling out-of-place.
Sorry I’m of no help. I’m simply only able to validate your struggle here and to add that I’m glad I’ll never write a novel and have to figure that out (and to add that, although my reading pace is so slow this week, I’m loving your book, you).
September 2nd, 2007 at 1:07 pm
I guess this means I’m not in your acknowledgments?
Kidding!
It’s funny, in some of the older (even 10 years ago) books I read the acknowledgements etc are way shorter, or even non existant.
I have no help to offer, just much sympathy. Tho I imagine after the first several books it gets easier?
September 2nd, 2007 at 1:42 pm
So the relationship that Casey has with Kayla, is that based at all on the relationship you had with your brother? I’m guessing it did and that you should have included him in the acknowledgments. Sure the people who helped you in the obvious ways should be in there, but just from the interaction you had with your family at the launch party, I’m guessing they had more of a direct impact on your writing this book than you realize.
September 2nd, 2007 at 2:07 pm
“Then instead of signing her book, a friend had me flip to the back and write in the Acknowledgment that had “obviously” been cut out in the editing process as well.”
This strikes me as something annette with a little-a would do
No advice — it’s just one of those things to muddle through.
September 2nd, 2007 at 2:14 pm
Daanon, my brother WISHES he were as cool as Kayla. Actually, I’m the one who wishes I were her. Anyway, the Kayla and Casey relationship has nothing to do with my brother. He is, however, the brother in another book of mine (whether he’ll recognize himself or not), and he’ll for sure get his acknowledgment then. Bwaa-ha-ha.
Laura, I would never bust Little a. Although if it had been her, I think we both (and all) understand that she was just being funny, as usual. And besides, she has her part in another book, and she’ll be showing up on that particular Ack page.
Liz, that’s interesting about the old books having little or no acknowledgments. I’d hate to ever leave mine out–there really are so many people who contribute to a book, and you want them to know you appreciate it–but if publishers instituted a new policy of no Acknowledgments pages, I’m not sure I’d argue.
Thank, Jules! For both the sympathy and the compliment!
And thanks, Barry. As you know, I often follow your lead (you may call it copying, but whatever). And I noticed your Acknowledgments went from two pages in your first book to three-quarters of a page in your second. What’s next, just a “Thank you all, you know who you are”? Might be a smart move.
September 2nd, 2007 at 2:41 pm
i think the best course is to err on the side of caution and ALWAYS acknowledge annette and robin’s brother, or at least annette. (take note laura f.!)
September 2nd, 2007 at 5:07 pm
Maybe this is old school, but I thought acknowledgments were for those who had helped you in a professional way, such as doing research, or perhaps your agent or editor. Everyone else got thanked by receiving a personal signed copy that said: “for your never wavering support, with all my love….etc., etc.” Otherwise, really, we’re talking Oscar speech, here…
Now, as to the dedication page, well, people just have to wait their turn.
September 2nd, 2007 at 5:30 pm
Well, I don’t worry, ’cause I’m in there.
Line 7 - 11
Line 8 - 3
line 8 - 12
Line 9 - 25
Line 9 - 31
Line 9 - 43
Line 10 - 5
Thought you could be sneaky and I wouldn’t notice it, huh? Nope, It stood out plain as day to me. I broke your code.
That’s why I’m the Space Lord!
Is your husband looking to support more writers who aren’t making any money at it?
September 2nd, 2007 at 6:07 pm
Annette, I think you’re right. Thank you for your unbiased input. *cough*
Sara, I like that. And I also agree with you about the dedication page. That’s a whole other animal.
Patrick, now that you know you’re all over my book, I guess I can start telling the truth in interviews. When they ask me who inspired certain characters, I’ll just refer them to your website every time.
And sorry, my husband says one starving writer per lifetime.
September 2nd, 2007 at 6:33 pm
I tend to agree with Sara, that those who have helped us professionally with the book, or with editing, critiquing, etc that led to a good copy and a contract are the ones who should be mentioned, more than our friends and supporters…If I were to list everyone who supports me or gave me help, I think my editor would object to the length. I think I did a couple of general categories to cover some people who were too numerous to name.
No matter how hard we try, though, youwill never please everyone all the time. The important thing is not to beat yourself up over it.
September 2nd, 2007 at 6:48 pm
Thanks, Judy. That’s good advice.
September 2nd, 2007 at 7:21 pm
I got thanked in a book once! It was nice of her to do so, because I was the librarian and was supposed to help her anyway. I think acknowledgements are like gifts: whether or not you expect them, the response should always be along the lines of, “You did? Thank you, you shouldn’t have, pshaw, etc.” If you don’t get them, you don’t mention a thing.
Judy’s right. I just wish I could take her advice for real, and not just in theory.
September 3rd, 2007 at 6:31 am
I think we should just call it the “Ack” page. Which is rivaled only by the dedication page…
September 3rd, 2007 at 8:07 am
Alkelda, I hope people do feel the way you did–happily surprised, but not requiring it.
Sarah, BINGO.
September 3rd, 2007 at 8:26 am
I have to be honest here,I usually don’t check out the Acknowledgement section(unless the book is historical fiction,in which case I like to find out what sources and books were used)and pretty much skim thru it in a few books.
It used to be all about the Dedication page back in the day,but the “Ack’ pages have been getting longer these days.
Personally,anyone who gets mad at you for not being mentioned there should keep in mind that this is your first novel and maybe,if they’re really supportive of you and your work,they will have a shot at getting name checked the next time around! To act like you’re Hillary Swank at the Oscars and they’re Chad Lowe weeping in the audience unnamed is ridiculous,to say the least!
September 3rd, 2007 at 8:55 am
And we all know how that turned out.
I agree that people ought not complain about not receiving thanks, gifts, good fortune, or compliments — it’s kind of hypocritical if manners or graciousness (which are what they apparently really didn’t acquire) actually mean anything. But it’s a much bigger issue than the acks in a book, if that’s at all comforting.
September 3rd, 2007 at 9:23 am
Little a, so noted!
September 3rd, 2007 at 10:27 am
Weell, the word entitlement jumps into my mind. Get over it people is what I say. What are you supposed to do? Thank and acknowledge the person who opened the door for you on your way out of Starbuck’s saving you a couple of seconds on the morning of your final deadline? Thank the electric company for keeping the power running so your computer would work? I could go on and on…
We are so a society that feels we need to be publicly, monetarily, materialistically, etc. awarded and rewarded for every effort we make at anything, that we feel instantly and sometimes deeply wounded when we are not. It’s just gotten ridiculous: “Oohh, good breathing baby Johnny, such nice deep and even breaths! Mommy is so proud! What a good job!” And don’t even get me started on the trophies and the award certificates for every kid who puts a cleat-clad toe on the soccer field.
Most of us have lost or never learned the feeling of internal satisfaction that comes from just doing in life what we are supposed to do: take care of ourselves and look after others, in all the ways that that can mean, whether that’s getting an A and not collecting a hundred bucks and a certificate for it, or making someone else’s day a little easier so that they could create something wonderful for us all to enjoy. So, get over it all of you who weren’t not listed in the Acknowledgments. Instead of whining at the lack of applause, if you did anything to “assist” Robin in this book in any way, sit back quietly and smile to yourself and be thankful that you had an opportunity to be a part of a life of a person who was capable of such creativity and giving her the means to express it.
BTW, Robin, loved the book, but saving my comments for Tuesday-for the first time in months I can post that I finished a book!
September 3rd, 2007 at 11:07 am
@deborah–well i think that says it all. nicely done. but still, just to be on the safe side…
September 3rd, 2007 at 11:38 am
Deborah, you DID do a nice job there…I agree with Annette. To summarize it (and something I learned a long time ago) Do things to make YOURSELF happy, and NOT to make someone else happy. If it makes you happy to make someone else happy, all the better, but your reward is your own self-satisfaction, NOT a reward, gift, thank you or any other acknowledgement from the other person.
September 3rd, 2007 at 11:39 am
Cheese Cake(Strawberry. Fried, too) gives me the feeling of internal satisfaction.
September 3rd, 2007 at 1:19 pm
Lady T, thanks for playing the Chad Lowe card! Ha! (And for your additional comment on that, Kittymama. Ha!)
Deborah, ON FIRE! I think we could have a whole side conversation on modern child rearing and the sense of entitlement. Obviously you have some strong opinions on that, as do I. Thanks for what you said. Lots to chew on there.
Judy, couldn’t agree more. It’s part of the basis of the Friday List.
Annette, just to be on the safe side, Laura (and all other authors reading this blog) will include you in their Acks. No worries.
Patrick, fried cheesecake? Pardon?
September 3rd, 2007 at 1:50 pm
No? Have you never been to a Longhorn Steakhouse?
September 3rd, 2007 at 2:35 pm
patrick, sounds like the perfect finish to a mess of pork ribs and an 8 lb. “bloomin’ onion”–yum, yum.
September 3rd, 2007 at 2:45 pm
P, as you know, I’m not from your planet.
September 3rd, 2007 at 3:15 pm
OOOH, I’m having a premonition. Next Friday someone will write, “I had a mess of pork ribs, an 8 lb. “bloomin’ onion”, and Fried Strawberry Cheesecake”
September 3rd, 2007 at 3:23 pm
Really, who IS from my planet?
September 3rd, 2007 at 4:07 pm
End the suspense, Patrick. Tell us! Anyone we know?
September 3rd, 2007 at 7:36 pm
OMG! You don’t have to wait until next Friday! I actually had my very first Bloomin Onion’ on Saturday! With the tangy sauce plus bleu cheese sauce and ketchup (not all mixed together of course). Also the steak and the garlic mashed potatoes. I hope my physician isn’t reading this because she will kill me before the cholesterol will. Somethin’ that good just can’t be legal.
September 3rd, 2007 at 11:29 pm
I agree with Lady T’s assessment of the acknowledgement list. I always expect to read the professionals who assisted the writer along the way to a finished product. Be calm, you took the right path and this is your book and can do as you like. Long lists of thank yous would be a total bore and distract from getting to the reading of this book and all your future books. Stay strong, Yoga Woman…..
September 4th, 2007 at 11:18 am
Sheesh. What Deborah said about entitlement. I’m thinking this is why I’m writing picture books. No ack, just deds to fret about…