Last week here, I presented the parts of a book which appear in the front of the book. Today, we look at the elements which make up the back matter. After the last page of the manuscript’s text, pagination continues in numerical sequence into the back matter. The front matter is paginated using lower roman numerals, however, the back matter is not. The specific elements included at the end of the book should appear in the Table of Contents in the front matter. The particular parts and their order is more fluid in the back matter compared to front. The front of the book requires first a title page, and copyright page second, and in that order. Some may not include the Acknowledgements in their front matter but decide to put it at the end of the book. These decisions as to what to include and where to put it are made by an author in consultation with the publisher. Many publishers have guidelines to assist an author in preparing the front matter according to their specifications. It merits a note here that preparation of your book for distribution as an e-book requires additional formatting. For example, pagination for a print edition is required but removed for the e-book. Such technical editing issues are the subject for another blog on another day. The purpose here is to explore the common elements of back matter used in book publishing today. Epilogue – This section provides narrative closure. An epilogue serves as…
Last week here, I presented the parts of a book which appear in the front of the book. Today, we look at the elements which make up the back matter. After the last page of the manuscript’s text, pagination continues in numerical sequence into the back matter. The front matter is paginated using lower roman numerals, however, the back matter is not. The specific elements… [Read More]
2 Comments
Front Matter is one of the last sections of a book manuscript for an author to complete. But it’s the first thing a reader sees. Before page 1, there are several items that appear in the front pages of any book. Some pages are mandatory: title, copyright, and table of contents. Others are optional, upon the discretion of the author and publisher. Every page before… [Read More]
It has been a very good year for Swenson Book Development LLC and we credit the successes and accomplishments of our clients during 2013. 1. Did someone slip President Obama’s speechwriter an advance copy of Seymour Smidt’s manuscript? His December address riffed on pages from Sy’s chapters offering a historical analysis of growing income inequality. I am so thankful Sy has recovered from a terrible car accident… [Read More]
In January, Jill Swenson starts intensive writing workshops in the Ithaca area intended for those who seek to improve their writing craft and/or have a work-in-progress. At each session, every writer will present new work. Participants are expected to attend every session and bring two double-spaced pages of text with photocopies for the group. Each writer will read their selection out loud and the group… [Read More]
The single most effective marketing method for book sales remains the power of a personal recommendation. It’s advertising you just can’t buy. Hence so much focus on reviews and endorsements for your book. This also explains the current appeal of social media marketing in an author’s marketing toolkit. If your friend on Facebook likes a book, you might too. Pinterest, Instagram, Vine, Tumblr, and Twitter… [Read More]