Did you know that it is proper to spell “acknowledgments” with an “e”? “Acknowledgments” or “acknowledgements”: either one works.

I spent an afternoon reading acknowledgment pages in different books and saw that not a single one used an “e”. I guess I won’t either.

By reading all those pages, I learned what not to say.

• “I wish to thank” – really? How about just thanking, rather than wishing to do so.
• “My most sincere gratitude goes to. . .” Really? Who does your least sincere gratitude go to?
• “So-and-so must be thanked. . .” This is an obligation to you?
• “I must mention. . .” Is someone forcing you?

The worst thing I heard about an acknowledgment page was from The Book Designer. He told me that some people list all sorts of big names that didn’t actually participate so that those people will want to buy their books!

Now that I know what not to do, maybe I’d better get on with what needs to be done. Who knew that this would be a difficult part of building a book? And, I’d better stop asking people for help, or I’ll never finish that page.