Recently I’ve come across a number of self-published books
that all have the same flaw. The writers have hired editors and proofreaders,
book designers and formatters, and cover designers. But they have still failed
to get one part of the book right. And this is the arrangement of the front
matter.
Copyright page (verso)
with copyright notice, foreword or preface copyright notice, publisher and additional
publisher’s information (if a special imprint), ISBN, Library of Congress
Control Number (if known), jacket or book designer’s name, place of manufacture,
edition. This is also a permissions page if the list of permissions is short
enough to be placed here. If not, place a note here referring the reader to the
end of the book for the list of permissions. This will also be indicated in the
Contents. Some publishers put the list of previous publications here.
Pagination doesn't usually begin until the first page of
text, be that a preface or foreword or introduction or chapter 1. But some
publishers begin pagination on the Contents page. If the front matter is
paginated, the choice is roman numerals. Arabic numerals begin on the first
page of chapter 1. But some publishers begin the Arabic numerals on the title
page.
The extent of the front matter may vary; not every book
needs a preface or an introduction. But the order in which the required items
appear has been well established, and serves a purpose. The front matter leads
us into the work by offering important clarifying detail. Arranged correctly,
the front matter orients distributors, booksellers, and librarians, and provides
necessary information in the expected place. They know where this information
is located. Only, now it isn’t.
The front matter on too many self-published books has me
flipping back and forth among the first few pages looking for the critical details
(copyright, publisher, ISBN, etc.). The experience is disorienting. But learning
the correct arrangement of the front matter is simple—just examine a book
published by a traditional publishing house. All of them use the same setup,
the one prescribed by manuals such as The
Chicago Manual of Style. My copy dates from 1982. Another option is Words into Type, from Prentice-Hall.
The front matter consists of everything before the main
text, which begins with Chapter 1, opening on the right-hand page.
Traditionally, everything begins on the right hand page—opening chapter,
section title (and following first chapter in the section), division title. After the first chapter, each chapter can begin
on the recto (right-hand page), or verso (left-hand page), but the writer
should be consistent about this throughout the book. Here is the standard list
of front matter for a print book and its arrangement.
Half title
(recto)
blank (verso) or
series title or list of previous publications
Title page (recto)
with title and author and occasionally the title of the foreword, along with
the name and location of the publisher and date.
Copyright page (verso)
with copyright notice, foreword or preface copyright notice, publisher and additional
publisher’s information (if a special imprint), ISBN, Library of Congress
Control Number (if known), jacket or book designer’s name, place of manufacture,
edition. This is also a permissions page if the list of permissions is short
enough to be placed here. If not, place a note here referring the reader to the
end of the book for the list of permissions. This will also be indicated in the
Contents. Some publishers put the list of previous publications here.
Dedication
(recto)
blank (verso)
Contents (recto)
blank (verso)
Preface (recto)
Foreword (recto
if the first page of text; if not, either recto or verso).
Introduction
(recto)
Section title
(recto)
Blank (verso)
Chapter 1 (recto)
Pagination doesn't usually begin until the first page of
text, be that a preface or foreword or introduction or chapter 1. But some
publishers begin pagination on the Contents page. If the front matter is
paginated, the choice is roman numerals. Arabic numerals begin on the first
page of chapter 1. But some publishers begin the Arabic numerals on the title
page.
If you’re putting together an eBook, you have more
flexibility. You can omit the half title and blank pages, and combine some of
the others. The Title page can include the dedication, followed by a copyright
page with list of permissions. A series title can also go below the title on
the first page.
The back matter in a book of fiction is the place for links
to websites, other books, and teaser chapters for your next book.
The front matter is important for providing a lot of
technical information, and the point is to make sure anyone looking for it can
find it. This may sound confusing at first, but putting things in their expected order makes the entire publication appear more professional.
To find my books (with front matter), go to:
https://www.amazon.com/Susan-Oleksiw/e/B001JS3P7C
https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/SusanOleksiw
http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/susan+oleksiw?_requestid=1017995
Good information, Susan. First time I did anything using CreatSpace I deleted one of those blank pages thinking I would save space. Big mistake. Took me two days before I figured out I needed to start Chapter One on the right hand side. Everything worked (looked) fine after I did that.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing your experience, Maris. I also learned the hard way to keep track of blank pages when working on line. It was so much easier with paper.
ReplyDeleteYour expertise will benefit many self-published writers. Valuable info, Susan. Good of you to share it.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jacquie. I've seen a lot of terrific stories included in anthologies that looked like a beginner set up the front matter. I really do hope this post is useful (and used).
DeleteWhew! Got my set up right. Interesting thing, though. Some ebook publishers were recommending putting the copyright information at the back. I'm glad that I ignored them.
ReplyDeleteAnne, I didn't know about publishers asking for the copyright info to be put at the back. That's a terrible idea. Thanks for adding to the discussion.
DeleteFor ebooks, readers don't want blank pages (especially if they're going to cut into the "free sample" where you want people to get to the book ASAP. I've seen books both print and indie, (and traditionally published) with pages of reviews of other books by the author as front matter, and most have "other books by the author" up front as well. I move as much as possible to back matter for my ebooks, but for print, I initially grabbed a selection of books off my shelves and followed that format.
ReplyDeleteTerry, I agree that ebook readers don't need/want the blank pages, so I said those could be omitted and other pages combined. I put that near the end, so perhaps I should have put it closer to the beginning. The placement of ads is a separate matter, and I don't want to encourage writers to pack the front of the book with blurbs. And, yes, following a traditionally published book is the best way to understand how the front matter should flow. The resources are available to all, and I hope they'll be used. Thanks for adding to the discussion.
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