Do you read the acknowledgements sections of novels

[image error]I skip the acknowledgement section unless I’m reading a book that posits an alternative history or a modern take on a real history because I want to know what parts of such books are true. Otherwise, acknowledgements seem like sucking up:

A big thank you to my wife who decided not to divorce me when she discovered this book was likely to make us rich.

No greater editorial team exists that can top Tom, Julie, Wes, Jim, and Sandra at BIG ASS PUBLISHERS, LTD. Without them, I’d still be selling used cemetery plots.

A special thanks to the intensely personal help of the girls at Nevada’s Rising Sin Gentlemen’s Club who showed me the ins and out of selling sex. 

Bob and Mary, if you’re still married when this book is published, thank you for taking me into your home and showing me your illegal gun collection. Wow, we could launch a revolution. I’ve changed your names here so the FEDS won’t be able to find you.

Frankly, I don’t want to read all this smarmy stuff. I guess it’s there only for one’s spouse, Tom, Julie, Wes, Jim, Sandra, Bob, Mary, and the ladies of the evening at one’s writer’s get-a-way location.

On the other hand, I’m intrigued by short and sweet:

For Zeke, who knows where all the bodies are buried.

For Emily, who only cheated on her husband once during the Vermont Writer’s Conference last year (Thanks for last night.)

For my wife (who still thinks my pseudonym is “Stephen King”).

Now those are the kinds of sentiments that tempt me to look for more of an author’s books.

How about you. Do you read the acknowledgements?

–Malcolm

I’ve added a spotlight page to this blog. I invite you to stop by and take a look.