What Is an Author’s Note and Do You Need One?

Pick up a book and you’ll likely have to flip through any number of pages to make it to the “real” start—there could be a dedication, a preface, a prologue, a foreword, and even a whole page dedicated to critical acclaim for the book.

While each of these sections has a distinct purpose, you might be more inclined to read some over others, depending on your interests.

If you want to glean some insights into the author’s writing process or the text itself, you might be read the author’s note. Not all books have them, but if you’re an author yourself, you might be wondering if yours should.

Do You Need an Author’s Note?

An author’s note can appear in both fiction or nonfiction books. In nonfiction, its purpose is to explain or add context to the author’s decisions, such as how they chose sources, decided what information to include, or why they use certain language. It’s intended to be shorter than a preface, and often replaces it.

(You should keep in mind that unless you’re a celebrity or well-known figure, most readers will skip right over a preface, so a more succinct author’s note might be a better option if you’re an up-and-comer.)

The author’s note can also take a more personal tone by thanking readers for their support, explaining something about the journey of writing the book, or perhaps why they were moved to write the book. In fiction, it might be placed at the end, especially if the author reflects on the characters and their journey, so as to avoid spoilers.

In academic or scientific journal articles, the author note contains details regarding the author’s
department and institution affiliation, acknowledgments, any financial support received, and contact information.

The author’s note is separate from a dedication or acknowledgments page, so if you’re only planning to offer shout-outs, you probably don’t need an author’s note.

What Should Be Included in the Author Note?

There are several different approaches you might take in writing your author’s note, but it really depends on your goal.

With your author’s note, you can:

Add context: The author’s note can emphasize the importance of your book in the scope of existing research or assertions, or take a “why-I-wrote-this-book” approach. It might also be used to clarify any elements that might cause confusion or lead to questions on the reader’s part, or to clarify the verity of names and events. Some also include warnings about graphic or explicit content.

Explain your process: For nonfiction authors, you might want to explain your research process, including the types of sources you used, or why you conducted experiments in a certain way. For fiction, you might offer a brief note on how the story was born.

Share something about you: You can also use the author’s note to explain more about your credentials or how you came to be interested in the subject matter of your book (but keep in mind that you could also do this in your “About the Author” page).

Engage your audience: Finally, you might use your author’s note to engage and connect with your readers. You can thank them for their support, or include a call to action and invite them to send you feedback.

How to Write an Author’s Note

No matter which purpose your author’s note serves, there are some general guidelines that will keep you focused and on track:

1. Keep it short and simple.

Your author’s note should be brief and to the point—ideally no more than a page and a half. (A lot of readers already skip the preface, foreword, introduction, and other front matter, so don’t make them sigh at another five pages of notes standing between them and the book they actually wanted to read.)

2. Write in the first person point of view.

Write your author’s note in your own voice. It should sound personal, not stuffy or overly formal. Use the first person (“I”) and address your readers with the second (“you”).

3. Don’t repeat the same information.

It’s important to understand that you don’t need an author’s note any more than you need a preface, prologue, or epilogue. If you’re going to include one, it should add something of value to your readers and enhance their experience in some way.

Author’s Note Example

One standard author’s note that you’re sure to recognize is this classic, which informs readers that nothing in the book is intended to represent real people, places, or events (this is often one layer of defense against potential lawsuits):

This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

Check out this example of a more personalized author’s note for fiction.

How Do You Format an Author’s Note?

There are no hard rules for how you should format your author’s note, but you should consider its content and whether it makes sense to include at the beginning (like most author’s notes) or the end.

The page heading could read simply, “Author’s Note,” “A Note from the Author,” or something more personalized, if you wish.

What Is a Note at the End of a Book Called?

An afterword is a note that comes at the end of the book. It is similar to a foreword, in that it is typically written by someone other than the author, who reflects upon the work.

This is especially common in new editions that have been published much later (for example, when a contemporary author writes an afterword for a new edition of a Hemingway classic, reflecting on its significance).

Connect with Your Readers

An author’s note is just one way to connect with your readers and add some extra insights to you and your work.

However, it’s not always necessary, and far from your only option. Learn how you can write an engaging bio, preface, or dedication that might be more appropriate for your book.

Did you find this post helpful? Let us know in the comments below!

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