A good foreword serves as a credibility boost and a reader hook for your non-fiction book. Written by someone with established authority in your field, it tells the reader where your book sits in a wider context, validates your expertise, and signals to readers that your work is worth their time.
For readers, it provides a trusted voice, saying, “This author knows what they’re talking about and this book offers an important viewpoint.” Essentially, it’s an endorsement that helps overcome the initial scepticism readers might have about an unfamiliar author.
Asking someone to write a foreword for your book doesn’t have to be intimidating. Here’s how to approach it with confidence:
Start with the right person
Think about who would genuinely love your book and whose opinion your readers would actually care about. This could be someone more established in your field, a respected colleague, or even someone with a fresh perspective that complements your work. Don’t just choose the biggest name you can think of; select and contact the best fit.
Do your homework first
Before you reach out, please spend some time getting to know their work. What are they passionate about? How does your book connect to their interests? When you can make a genuine connection between their expertise and your content, your request feels less random and more thoughtful.
Keep your request simple and clear
When you email them, get straight to the point. Introduce yourself briefly, explain what your book is about in a few sentences, and tell them why you thought of them specifically. Then ask if they’d be open to writing a foreword. That’s it. No need to overload them with information at this point, oversell yourself, or apologise for asking. (A link to your up-to-date LinkedIn profile will give them the background they need to see before they can agree.)
Make their job easy
If they say yes, send them the full manuscript along with a note about what you’re hoping the foreword might cover. Give them a reasonable timeline—usually two to four weeks works well. (Too much leeway means it may well be forgotten and you have to chase it at the last moment.)
The easier you make it for them, the more likely you’ll get a great result.
Sample text to use in your email
You could include this (or similar) in your email to the person who agrees to write your foreword, if they want some direction:
“In the foreword, you’d typically introduce yourself briefly and explain your connection to the topic, then share why you think this book is valuable and timely. Feel free to highlight what makes my approach unique or what gap it fills in the field. The goal is to give readers confidence that the book is worth reading and that I know what I’m talking about. You can draw from your own experience or perspective on broader issues to show where my works fits. Keep it personal and authentic. Readers want to hear your genuine voice, not a formal book review.”
Give an ideal word count
A good foreword is typically 300-800 words, with 400-600 words being ideal, so mention that in your request. This gives the writer enough space to establish credibility and explain why your book matters, without overwhelming readers.
However, impactful forewords can be as brief as 200-300 words or longer at 800 words, depending on how much the writer wants to dive into the subject matter.
For busy, high-profile people, emphasising the shorter side (300-400 words) can make them more likely to agree since it feels manageable.
Don’t take rejection personally
People say no for all kinds of reasons that have nothing to do with your book. They might be swamped, have a policy against forewords, or just not be the right fit. Thank them graciously and move on to your next choice.
Always have a backup plan
Make a list of 3-5 potential foreword writers before you start reaching out. This way, if your first choice doesn’t work out, you’re not back to square one.
The key is remembering that you’re offering them an opportunity to be associated with something valuable, not asking for charity. Approach it with that confidence, and you’ll do great.
***
CONTACT BEV to talk about whether a short or long book will suit your purposes, and find out how she can help you with your book and your publishing choices.