foreword, preface

A foreword is an introduction to a book, usually written by someone other than the author. It is spelled foreword, not forward, foreward or forword.

• It was a great honour to have Michael Ondaatje write the foreword to my latest book.

A preface is an introduction to a book, usually written by the author.

• The professor encouraged her students to read the author’s preface before reading the novel.