How to Write a Foreward for a Book
I'd never written a foreward before, and I had all sorts of questions. "Who am I to do this?" "What if I don't do it right?" Ultimately, I did it. Here's how it all went down.
As a memoir coach, I work with clients from across the world, helping them develop and write their personal stories. It’s my honor to establish a relationship of trust, listening to clients’ goals and encouraging them as they bring their remarkable messages to the page.
Recently, one of my clients, nearing publication, asked if I’d write an extended review of her book, Baptized By Love: How I Found Present Joy and Never Let It Go. I figured the review might be used for the book jacket or in some future article, though from the outset, the author insisted my piece might be used as the book’s foreward — and as soon as I heard that word, I confess that I froze up.
Me? I thought? Why me? Who am I to write a foreward?
Despite the fact that I’d worked with her for half a year to develop, shape, and edit her manuscript … and despite the fact I spoke regularly with her on Zoom calls about her literary and personal lives… my imposter syndrome quickly set in.
I’m not qualified to write a foreward, I thought. Experts do that. Famous people do that. Individuals more qualified than me do that.
Still, I didn’t share my doubts with my client. Instead, I let her know I’d be happy to write the extended review, and that she’d probably do well to find someone else to write the foreward, like a licensed mental health professional.
At the time, I also suggested writing a discussion guide to support readers and book groups interested in further exploring the book’s themes and messages. An extended review and a discussion guide seem more like what she needs from me, I thought. I set to work reviewing her manuscript and all my extensive notes, trying to whittle down hundreds of pages into a summary worthy of the author’s decades of effort.
Who’s Even Qualified to Write A Foreward?
Having worked closely with the author, I’d gained unique and substantial insight into her hopes and dreams. During our regular talks and several passes through the manuscript, I’d maintained a copious record of her book’s themes, timeline, story arc, and intended messages. And having been one of the manuscript’s earliest readers, I’d bombarded the author with questions, like:
“What do you mean here?”
“How did this make you feel?”
“How did you keep going despite all odds?”
“Are you sure this passage conveys what you told me last month?”
“How has this situation changed you?”
“How do you hope readers will incorporate your messages in their own lives?”
Each time I’d pose a question, the author responded—first to me, then on the page.
Walking side-by-side with the author through her memoir’s development, I literally lived and breathed her story with her. I’d also come to know who her ideal readers might be.
Knowing this story more than most, I realized that my words and perspective could serve as an asset for potential readers. As one of the author’s earliest readers, I came to see that I could help to shape a prospective reader’s decision-making process about whether to buy this book — or not.
How Do You Write a Foreward?
My best advice is to approach the process as if you’re writing an extended review. That’s exactly what I did. I’m so glad I didn’t think about it as a “foreward”.
That’s because, while an extended review takes a lot of work, a foreward carries inherent pressure in the fact that it’s an endorsement, if not a bit of salesmanship to multiple audiences. When you write a foreward, you’re encouraging an unfamiliar reader to commit to this book; you’re also letting paying customers know why this book is worth their hard-earned money; and you’re also reminding current readers why they picked this book up in the first place. For anyone, like me, who isn’t comfortable with salesmanship, the thought of writing a foreward feels overwhelming and intimidating. And that’s why I’m grateful I looked at the writing as an extended review.
As I prepared to write, I skimmed through all my notes and re-read the final manuscript, scribbling down words and phrases that captured the essence of the book —as well as my own heart. While doing so, I tried to keep my focus on two things:
1) how the story touched me personally, and
2) how the story might impact others.
Here are the notes I scribbled before writing my review. I tried to highlight the most salient points a reader might want to know (or share with others), some essential details about the writer herself, and the aspects of the story that deeply resonated with me:
After reviewing the manuscript and my own notes (including those above), I wrote my extended review and sent it to the author — and she ended up using the majority of it for the book’s foreward.
How To Write A Foreward: The Essentials
Here’s how I structured my foreward in 8 paragraphs:
Paragraph 1
Ask a universal question (or pose a problematic situation that draws the reader in. Ideally, this is a question or problem the reader may have faced before (or one that they worry they may have to face).
“What happens after you make a series of bad judgments that ultimately shatter the life you once knew? How do you even begin to pick up the pieces?”
Describe why the writer is qualified to answer that question (or address that problem), as well as the writers’ style.
“When author Danét Palmer finds herself in this very predicament, she’s a young, drug-addicted, single mom who’s just been deemed an unfit mother. Her life is over, and she has no answers.”
Mention the most compelling moment of tension in the book, most likely its inciting incident.
“All that remains is utter hopelessness — and her cocaine dealer’s gun, tucked under her chin.”
Paragraph 2
Give us more details about the story
“In Baptized by Love, Palmer details what happens next — as well as all that’s led to this life-changing moment in which her children are taken from her.”
Tell us what the author offers the reader through their writing
“Palmer’s memoir, tender, raw, and unflinching, brings readers into her life’s darkest hour, taking them on an inspired journey during which she discovers not only how she lost herself, but also who she truly is.”
Paragraph 3
Tell readers what they’ll witness in the pages of the book. What will readers see from their front-row seats?
“Throughout Baptized by Love, Readers witness how Palmer manages to keep going, unlearning old scripts and relearning life one agonizing breath and one faltering step at a time. Fighting constantly against feelings of shame and regret, Palmer learns not only how to heal through vulnerability, but also how to speak her truth. Blessed with the loving guidance of mentors and impactful tools while she traverses a transformative period of trial and error, Palmer helps readers see, up close, the infinite power of trusting one’s own heart. She also shows us how she launches a daily practice of self-love, one she’s maintained for nearly 40 years — a commitment to self that both literally and figuratively helped her rewrite her life and her outlook.”
Paragraph 4
Describe the ideal reader(s)
“Baptized by Love speaks to readers who are open to a fresh, loving, and purposeful approach to managing life and its (often overwhelming) challenges.”
Tell us why this author is the one to deliver this message (cite their past experience, publications, connections, etc.)
“Just as in her first book (Coffee With the Divine: A Yummy Guide to Daily Miracles) and her podcast (The Yummy Way), Palmer’s transparency and authenticity shine through with her signature, approachable style.”
Tell us more about what the reader will take away from this book
“Readers will find generous and practical helpings of wisdom and take away an inspired sense of joy, regardless of life’s circumstances.”
Paragraphs 5
What makes this author (and their writing) unique and/or special?
“What’s Palmer’s secret? She bares her soul, speaks her truth, reflects deeply, lays it all out, occasionally swears, and turns-on-end whatever you *might* expect from a spiritual person.”
Tell us something brief but meaningful about yourself (as it relates to an aspect of the book) and how this author’s approach resonates with you.
“For instance, when I (a non-practicing, former Roman Catholic) learned that Palmer was a metaphysical minister, I wasn’t even sure what that meant. I also wondered why she used the word “yummy” all the time, and whether Baptized by Love might proselytize and/or reflect religious leanings I wasn’t keen to hear.”
Paragraph 6
Expand on what you have learned from reading this book. What does (or doesn’t) the author do to help me see life from a new perspective?
“What I’ve since learned by reading Baptized by Love is that some of my old scripts and learnings (and beliefs) have kept my views narrow, not to mention judgemental. Palmer’s ministry, quite simply, is one of love.
• Tell us more about how the author created a meaningful connection with you.
“She doesn’t promote a particular religion; she merely advocates awareness. She doesn’t pitch or presume anything; she urges us to stay in the present by illustrating the perils that can happen if we don’t. These are the things that worked for her. Though she personally believes in a higher power (God), she’s confident that, no matter what, we’re all best served living with compassion and staying true to our individual hearts.”
Paragraph 7
Connect with the prospective reader by addressing any obvious questions or even potential criticisms from skeptics. Take the wind out of their sails and speak to the issues they may feel uncertain and/or uncomfortable about.
“And, as for the word “yummy”? Palmer feels the term sums up that vibe we get when we allow love to shine and we accept all that’s happening right now. That peaceful feeling, to Palmer, is “yummy”. However, when we ache for the past or long for a different present or strive for a future we cannot control, well … those efforts, Palmer says, are often unrealistic and ‘just feel icky.’”
Paragraph 8
In a sentence, describe what this book is to YOU.
“Baptized by Love is the impassioned memoir of a woman who learns to embrace herself in self-love, forgiveness, and acceptance.”
In a sentence, tell the reader what it will do for them.
“This story will capture your heart, and its message will change it forever for the better.”
Conclusion
Maybe you’re an author looking to find someone to write a foreward. Maybe you’re even considering writing your own. Or, perhaps someone’s asked you to write a foreward for them. In any event, you’ve now got the tools to move your writing forward (see what I did there?).
For me, the keys were
• Knowing the manuscript inside and out
• Creating a discussion guide that helped to identify possible questions from readers
• Keeping detailed notes of the book’s themes, story arc, and intended messages
• Writing the foreward as if it were an extended review.
How can I begin to explain how honored I was to learn that my piece would serve as the foreward in a published book? I still can’t believe it. And, I’m grateful to my wonderful client for seeing what I could not: that a passionate, early reader is as invested and qualified as anyone to write a strong foreward.
Congratulations, Danét Palmer, on the release of Baptized By Love!
Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. If a purchase of a book is made using my affiliate link, I may receive a small commission on the sale, and these funds help me keep my writer website running.
Christine Wolf is an award-winning writer and memoir coach. Her writing gravitates toward resilience beyond trauma, emotional wellness, and the multi-faceted human condition. She owns Writers’ Haven LLC, a cooperative workspace for women writers. Click to follow Christine Wolf’s Substack Newsletter and her website.
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