It’s Foreword, NOT Forward

Spell it right!

The number of manuscripts I’ve seen — and even printed books — with this common misspelling is staggering.

Sometimes they’re long. Sometimes they’re short. But they’re always written by someone other than the author — preferably that someone is SOMEONE.

Someone well-known. Foreword writers can be an expert or authority in field that is the subject of the book or a celebrity who enjoys a relationship with the author or a passion for the book’s topic or purpose.

First Lady of Nevada, Dawn Gibbons, wrote a gracious foreword for 100 Years in the Nevada Governor’s Mansion. Siegfried and Roy were naturals to ask to pen a foreword for our book on the history of the legendary Stardust. Former governor Kenny Guinn was honored to write a foreword for civil rights activist Bob Bailey’s memoir and we tapped former Governor Mike Huckabee to write the foreword for Bayou Country about southeast Arkansas. Boxing champ George Foreman contributed the foreword for Fight Town. One of my personal favorites was visiting composer John Williams at his Los Angeles film studio bungalow to discuss his foreword for More Than a Parade, our pictorial history of the Pasadena Tournament of Roses. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid provided the foreword for Silent Heroes of the Cold War. I would say that these and other luminaries have unfailingly been honored to be asked and very helpful and interested in the process.

Give some thought to who you know, or who you know who might know the person you wish to approach. If you have a noble cause or a subject close to their hearts, many famous folks will listen to your pitch to write a foreword. Don’t be shy — it can’t hurt to ask.

Once an agreement has been reached to provide a foreword, you should offer to send your manuscript for their review. At this point, you can gingerly feel out your SOMEONE as to their intention to write the foreword themselves, or if they prefer to have the author or editor write for their review and approval. Yes, that happens.

Can your SOMEONE be NO ONE? Sure. While your publisher is looking for any and all advantages to help sell your book — and the credibility or star power from a famous expert or celebrity may help — forewords can be written by anyone. A foreword’s purpose is to give the reader some perspective on the subject and/or the author before they delve into the text. Nor do all books require a foreword.

But if you have one, spell it right!

Nevada Governor’s Mansion Centennial

Author Jack Harpster and First Lady Dawn Gibbons celebrate the debut of our newest book at the History for Hope Gala at Trump International.

It has been a long haul, like many such projects, to get from idea to a finished book in hand. When author Jack Harpster first proposed this book, the centennial was two-plus years away — which is actually just about the right amount of time needed to research, write, edit, acquire images, proofread, design, layout, print, bind, and ship.

This week has been the culmination of this work, with two special events and a road trip. We started Thursday with an elegant evening at Trump International where First Lady Dawn Gibbons hosted a charity gala for the Austism Coalition of Nevada. The mansion’s centennial was the focus with a painting especially commissioned by the First Lady for the mansion unveiled and our book debut in Las Vegas.

The state’s colors of blue and silver were everywhere from the crushed velvet table drapery to the magnificent silver candelabras. Former governors, first ladies, and their families were in attendance and popular Vegas entertainer Clint Holmes led the entertainment.

Governor Gibbons poses with young admirer after signing a copy of 100 YEARS.

Friday was road trip day as Bill and I loaded up with more books and drove up to Carson City. The drive through Nevada seems desolate at times, but the wide opens spaces and big blue skies are a refreshing change from city life.

The official centennial celebration of the mansion took place on Saturday with plenty of dignitaries, cannons, flags, pomp and circumstance, and a little thunder, lightening, and rain.

Former governors Bryan and Miller joined current Governor Jim Gibbons in making remarks along with Denver Dickerson, grandson of Governor Dickerson, the first to occupy the mansion.

Governor Gibbons addresses the crowd as former Governors Bryan and Miller look on. That's our book table behind the Guv.

The mansion festivities were open to the public, to share in the celebration of the People’s House. We were thrilled to be a part of such a memorable event.