<P> A preface (/ ˈprɛfɪs /) or proem (/ ˈproʊɛm /) is an introduction to a book or other literary work written by the work's author . An introductory essay written by a different person is a foreword and precedes an author's preface . The preface often closes with acknowledgments of those who assisted in the literary work . </P> <P> A preface generally covers the story of how the book came into being, or how the idea for the book was developed; this is often followed by thanks and acknowledgments to people who were helpful to the author during the time of writing . </P> <P> A preface is usually signed (and the date and place of writing often follow the typeset signature); a foreword by another person is always signed . Information essential to the main text is generally placed in a set of explanatory notes, or perhaps in an "Introduction" that may be paginated with Arabic numerals, rather than in the preface . The term preface can also mean any preliminary or introductory statement . It is sometimes abbreviated pref . </P>

Where is the preface located in a book