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Although many readers skip over the front matter of a book, it can include some very important information, such as the names of the author and publisher and the copyright information.
If this is your first book, you might be struggling to figure out what goes in the front matter of your book. There are a lot of different components, and you may not need all of them. This blog post breaks down the different parts so you can decide what you need to include and what you can leave out.
What Is the Front Matter of a Book?
The front matter is the first part of a book and contains information about the book. It is sometimes called the preliminary matter. According to New Hart’s Rules, preliminary matter is “any material that precedes the main text of the book.”
What Goes in the Front Matter of a Book?
The specific elements included in the front matter can vary depending on the type of book and the publisher’s preferences. Here is a list of the components you might include:
- Half Title Page
- Frontispiece or Other Works
- Title Page
- Copyright Page
- Dedication
- Epigraph
- Table of Contents
- List of Illustrations, Tables, or Figures
- Foreword
- Preface
- Acknowledgments
- Introduction (nonfiction books)
- List of Abbreviations or Acronyms
- Prologue (fiction books)
What Order Should the Front Matter Follow?
Not all of these elements are included in every book, and the order in which they appear can vary, although it tends to follow a standard sequence. The specific front matter components depend on the genre, style, and purpose of the book, as well as the author’s and publisher’s preferences. Some elements may be omitted entirely. It’s important to consider the specific needs and style of your book when organizing the front matter.
The Chicago Manual of Style (CMOS) recommends that the front matter appear in the following order.
Half Title
The half title page is the very first page of the front matter and usually displays only the book’s title, omitting the author’s name, publisher, or any additional information. This is a good place to put the author’s signature at a book signing. However, this page could also be omitted to save on printing costs.
Frontispiece
The frontispiece of a book is an illustration, often a full-page image or an ornamental design, that appears on the page on the left-hand side (verso) of an open book, opposite the title page. The frontispiece is typically used for decorative or artistic purposes and is often related to the book’s content, theme, or subject matter. Frontispieces are commonly found in older books, especially in literature and fiction, where they were used to add an element of visual interest and elegance to the book. In modern books, frontispieces are less common, as the cover design and jacket artwork often serve the same decorative and promotional purposes. However, they are still occasionally used in special or limited edition publications, fine art books, or books with a strong visual or artistic component.
If a book doesn’t include a frontispiece, this spot may be a good place to put a list of other works by the author.
Title Page
The title page typically includes the book’s full title, subtitle (if applicable), and the author’s name. It may also include the name of the publisher or publishing company and their logo. If you are self-publishing and you don’t have a company name or your own imprint, you can omit this information.
Copyright Page
The copyright page provides information about the book’s copyright, including the copyright notice, the year of publication, and details about the publisher. It may also include ISBN (International Standard Book Number) information, Library of Congress cataloging data, edition number, and disclaimers.
Dedication
If the author wishes to dedicate the book to someone, a dedication page is included. A dedication is a heartfelt message or tribute to a person or group of people. The dedication is optional, and as CMOS notes, using the words “dedicated to” is superfluous as is adding the heading “Dedication.”
Epigraph
An epigraph is a brief quotation, poem, or excerpt from another work that the author uses to set the tone or theme for the book. It is often found on a separate page before the table of contents. This is an optional page, and it does not require a heading.
Table of Contents
The table of contents provides an outline of the book’s chapters or sections and their corresponding page numbers. It helps readers navigate the book and find specific content. Most nonfiction books will require a table of contents, but fiction books typically do not. It should include all material that follows it, including the back matter, but exclude all material that precedes it.
The title of the contents page is usually “Contents” rather than “Table of Contents.”
List of Illustrations, Tables, or Figures
If the book includes many visual elements like images, tables, or figures, it may be helpful to include a list of these elements and their corresponding page numbers.
Foreword
A foreword is typically written by someone other than the author, such as a well-known expert in the field or a notable figure, to provide context or endorse the book. It precedes the preface or introduction and lends credibility to the author.
Note the spelling! It’s “foreword” not “forward.”
Preface
The preface is written by the author and serves as an introduction to the book. It may explain the author’s motivations and intentions, as well as background information related to the book.
Acknowledgments
The acknowledgments section allows the author to express gratitude to individuals or organizations who contributed to the creation of the book, such as editors, beta readers, or research sources. The acknowledgments can be included in the back matter of the book instead. (Most of the books I’ve read and edited had the acknowledgments at the back of the book, preceding other back matter.)
“Acknowledgments” is the US English spelling. The British English spelling is “Acknowledgements.”
Introduction Belonging to the Front Matter
In some books, especially academic or nonfiction works, an introduction is included to provide an overview of the book’s content and its purpose. If the introduction contains information that’s essential to the book, it should not form part of the front matter, and instead should be treated as the first unnumbered chapter, and it should be paginated with Arabic numerals rather than Roman numerals.
List of Abbreviations or Acronyms
If the book uses several abbreviations or acronyms that might not be familiar to the reader, a list of their meanings and explanations may be included.
Other Sections
Praise/Testimonials
You may wish to include a page of testimonials or praise from other authors or industry experts. You can send an advance copy to these people and ask them to write a short review for you to include in your marketing materials.
Prologue (Fiction Books)
A prologue is an introductory section that sets the stage for the main narrative. You will often see one in fiction to provide background information or context. In nonfiction, you’ll see a preface or introduction chapter instead.
RELATED TOPICS
What to Include in the Back Matter of a Book
What to Include on a Book Copyright Page
How to Write an Interesting Conclusion for Your Nonfiction Book
How Should the Front Matter be Paginated?
The pagination of the front matter of a book typically follows a specific format to ensure that readers can easily reference and navigate through the various front matter components. Front matter page numbers are usually lowercase Roman numerals. The number will not be shown on every page, but every page is counted. Here’s how the front matter of a book is traditionally paginated:
Half Title Page: The half title page, which often only displays the book’s title, is typically unnumbered but is counted as page i. It should fall on the recto side—the right-hand page of a spread.
Blank Page/Frontispiece/Other Works: The other side of the half title page is also unnumbered but counts as page ii, and it can be blank for design or formatting purposes. This falls on the verso side of a spread—the left-hand side.
Title Page: The main title page, which includes the book’s title, subtitle (if applicable), and the author’s name, is usually page iii, and the number doesn’t appear on the page.
Copyright Page: The copyright page follows the title page and is assigned the next page number after the title page. It is often page iv and the number doesn’t appear on the page.
Dedication Page and Epigraph: Pages for the dedication and epigraph, if present, are usually unnumbered but would count as pages v and vi.
Table of Contents: The table of contents is the first part of the front matter that the number may appear on. Page numbers will typically be included for material that appears after the table of contents; however, opening pages of parts or chapters either carry a drop folio or no page number. If the dedication and epigraph were included, it will be page vii. It will usually fall on a recto page.
Folio refers to the page number, and a drop folio is when the page number appears on the foot of the page.
List of Illustrations, Tables, or Figures: If included, this list follows the table of contents and is paginated consecutively. It can fall on a recto or verso page.
Foreword, Preface, Acknowledgments, Introduction Belonging to the Front Matter: These sections follow the list of illustrations and are paginated consecutively. Each will fall on a recto page.
List of Abbreviations or Acronyms: If there is a list of abbreviations or acronyms, it follows the introduction belonging to the front matter and is paginated consecutively. It can fall on a recto or verso.
Are There Running Heads in the Front Matter?
Running heads, which are headers or titles that appear at the top of each page, do not appear on every page in the front matter of a book. They are not used on display pages like the half title page, title page, copyright page, dedication, and epigraph. If the table of contents, foreword, preface, etc. run to more than one page each, the running head will be used on all but the first page of those sections.
In the front matter of a book, the focus is on presenting important information such as the title, copyright details, dedication, and table of contents. The absence of running heads in the front matter helps maintain a clean and uncluttered design, ensuring that the reader’s attention is not distracted from these key elements.
Running heads are more common in the body of the book, starting with the first chapter or section. They are then used throughout the main content to provide context and aid in navigation. The specific content and format of running heads can vary depending on the publisher’s style guidelines and the book’s design.
Who Is Responsible for Creating the Front Matter of a Book?
If you are traditionally publishing your book the publisher will provide some of the front matter, such as the copyright page. However, you will still be responsible for providing the preface, introduction, dedication, prologue, and acknowledgments.
How to Choose What to Include in the Front Matter
The choice of what front matter to include in your book depends on several factors, including the type of book you’re writing, your target audience, and your personal preferences as an author. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you decide what front matter to include in your book:
Identify Your Book’s Type and Genre: The front matter you include will vary depending on whether your book is fiction or nonfiction, a novel, a scholarly work, a memoir, or something else. Consider the conventions of your book’s genre.
Understand Your Target Audience: Think about your readers and their expectations. What information or elements will enhance their reading experience or help them understand the context of your book? Different genres and audiences may have different expectations for front matter.
Follow Publisher Guidelines: If you’re working with a traditional publisher, they may have specific guidelines or requirements for the front matter. Follow their instructions, as this can affect the content and order of the front matter.
Include Legal and Copyright Information: Ensure that you include essential legal and copyright information. This includes a copyright page with the copyright notice, the year of publication, and ISBN details.
Consider the Book’s Theme and Purpose: The front matter can help set the tone for your book. Think about how you can use elements like a dedication, epigraph, or foreword to provide context or emotional resonance for your readers.
Balance Clarity and Aesthetics: Make sure your front matter is visually appealing but also easy to read and navigate. Use a clear, consistent format and typography. Elements like illustrations or decorative elements should enhance the overall design.
Consult with Others: If you’re unsure about what to include, it can be helpful to seek feedback from writing peers, beta readers, or professionals in the publishing industry.
Consider Customization: Remember to tailor the front matter to your book’s unique needs. There’s no one-size-fits-all formula, so feel free to customize it as necessary.
Conclusion
Ultimately, the front matter of your book should serve the purpose of introducing, informing, and engaging your readers. It’s a crucial part of your book’s overall presentation, so take the time to carefully consider what to include based on the nature of your book and the expectations of your target audience.
If you’re looking for help with your book, check out my editorial services or read some of the kind words authors have said about working with me.
This article is so thorough and very helpful! Thank you, Catherine, for sharing this information.
Thank you for reading and commenting, Ellen!