What is a Preface?
In publishing, a Foreword, Introduction, Preface, Prologue and Epilogue serve distinct purposes. Each contributes something different to the
reader's experience, and they appear in different parts of the book.
Preface — Why the Author Wrote the Book
A Preface is generally written by the author and explains the personal motivation, circumstances, or experiences that led to the creation of the book.
Unlike an Introduction, which focuses primarily on the book's subject matter, a Preface focuses on the author's reasons for writing it and how the book came into existence.
Written by: Usually the author.
Placement: Near the beginning of the book, typically after the Foreword and before the Introduction or Prologue.
Purpose: To explain the inspiration behind the book, provide personal background, describe the writing or research process, and sometimes acknowledge those who contributed.
Typical length: 500–2,000 words, although there is no fixed requirement.
Example in a Memoir
An author writing about an extraordinary international career might use the Preface to explain why, after decades of experiences across different countries, they finally decided to document their life.
They might describe encouragement from family members, the discovery of old photographs and letters, or a desire to preserve their experiences for future generations.
The Preface explains why the story needed to be told without actually beginning the chronological narrative.
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