Surviving a Case of Acks 'N Ded
There comes a harrowing time in every debut author's life where s/he gets a case of acks 'n ded. Don't let the 'n fool you; a case of acks 'n ded is not innocent and delicious like mac 'n cheese. Acks 'n ded can fester if left uncontrolled... much like a rash. In fact, a case of acks 'n ded can compromise (if not take over) other parts of your life if it's not handled with care.
For example, you could easily get acks 'n ded McCrazy hair from trying to pull your acks 'n ded out of your brain. Worse yet, pull-your-hair-out McBald head is a follow-up symptom to McCrazy hair.
You could also become a serial tree murderer by slaying through mounds of paper during your acks 'n ded condition...
Not to mention, acks 'n ded insanity can ensue if it becomes too much to bear...
And if all this isn't bad enough, it's possible to come down with acks 'n ded amnesia... where you forget those closest to you at the most pivotal point of your acks 'n ded treatment.
Wait... what? You're allergic to random acronyms? What the heck is acks 'n ded, you ask?
It's the acknowledgements and dedication page that authors must write for their books. It's the one stop shop to thank the people, super heroes, or llamas (hey, whatever floats your boat...I'm not judging) who helped you along your way to publication.
The process of writing your acknowledgements and dedication page can be tricky. You don't want to be known as a long-winded loon, thanking everyone down to Luigi the tomato wrangler at your local grocery store (unless tomato wrangling is the basis of your story, of course). On the other hand, you don't want to forget to thank those most responsible for your success due to acks 'n ded amnesia.
I am currently dealing with a case of acks 'n ded... and I'm happy to announce that I'm almost finished with treatment.
Now it's your turn to spill the acks 'n ded beans. Have you dealt with an acks 'n ded condition? If so, how did you handle it? If not, who would you acknowledge and/or dedicate your book to if you were dealing with a case of acks 'n ded right now?
*Best Wishes & Lipstick Kisses*
Labels: Publishing, writing
posted by Amy Holder at
5:06 PM
18 Comments:
Don't I wish I was dealing with that problem. But I do have a question. Do you thank a critquer who helped you tremendously early in the development of your book, but eventually just disappeared from sight without a word? Hmmmm.
From reading some of your writing samples, I'm sure you'll be dealing with a case of acks 'n ded soon enough! :)
As for the critiquer... even though I think they're are really important and should generally be acknowledged, if yours disappeared without a word, I don't think you'd have to feel obligated to include him/her.
I am dreading the acks 'n dead thing. I am positive I will forget someone really important.
I'm torn about this. On one hand, it's a dream to be in the position to have to write the Acks and Ded .. but on the other hand, it is a little intimidating.
Suddenly, I'm reading them in every book I pick up .. hoping for inspiration, I guess!
Bet you forgot to thank me!
GRRRR! lol :)
Oh god, the pressure, the PRESSURE! I'm so scared we're going to hurt someone's feelings. Terrifying.
I think the acknowledgments are harder to write than the book was!
Alissa - I'm trying not to have acks 'n ded amnesia...but I'm thinking it's bound to happen.
Tess - I agree, I feel so lucky to be writing them, but they're really intimidating at the same time.
Claire - I'm so glad you reminded me...I almost forgot to add you. :)
Lisa & Laura - I know what you mean! I feel like I'm in a pressure cooker!
I'm not undergoing this process yet, but I'm not worried since I already know who I want to include.
Good luck in getting everyone important to you down in the acknowledgments! I've always imagined that being one of the hardest parts...how do you decide who gets in and who doesn't? Yikes! ;)
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Thanks, Lea! I hope I've covered everyone too. It's tough not to leave people out when you're trying not to ramble on too long! :)
Medeia - YAY! Thanks so much! I'm going to check out your blog right now!!
ahaha this is such a cute post. thanks for sharing your acks 'n ded experiences. i'd never heard of it before. ;)
best of luck with your debut!!
Whatever acks 'n ded is I'm sure I have it too as I have everything else you described, wanting to pull my hair etc. Although I've decided you should not have acks 'n deds because it's evidently not a good thing and you've accomplished something VERY GOOD by having an upcoming novel. HOW GREAT IS THAT! So congrats from one writer to another. You will have more than acks 'n deds if you hang around this career long. Best of luck and blessings too! Barb
www.barbwhitti.blogspot.com
DUH, I finally got the acks n deds thing. I'm VERY slow. Acknowledgments and dedications. NO I DO NOT HAVE THAT - wish I did. Have several women's mainstream novels none published. Still writing. Still sending out.
Barb
Thanks for the comments! I thought the acks 'n ded thing might confuse some people - lol! It hasn't yet been acknowledged by the medical community... so most people don't know about it. :)
Thanks for checking out my blog!
I guess to have that problem, I have to finish my novel... get an agent... sell the book... yeah, that may be a while, but I'm working on it. ;) I can imagine it's hard, though. Maybe I should be keeping a list now during the writing phase to preempt acks 'n deds amnesia! Lol...
hah, there was a name for what I was having today and I didnt even know it. Guess I was having premature acks-and-deds (elation?).
er.
:)
Lindsey(DWAP) - Keeping a list now is such a good idea! I wish I had done that!!
Gae - LOL! It seriously feels like a medical condition... I thought I was going crazy for a while in the middle of my acks-and-ded experience! Good luck and I'll cross my fingers for you not to come down with any of the more hazardous acks 'n ded symptoms! :)
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