Book Interior Design: 3 Top Tips for Front and Back Matter
“Be aware of your decisions and what they mean for the book you are designing.” – Armand Mevis
Imagine stepping into a beautifully decorated room with a captivating ambiance. It sets the tone for your entire experience. This is precisely what book interior design achieves for your book. It includes not only the layout and design of the text. It also contains the front and back matter and the addition of engaging elements in the appendices.
In this writer’s guide (part of our series “Is Your Book Ready to Self-Publish?”) we dive into two important aspects of book interior design: front and back matter.
The front matter welcomes readers into your world, providing them with essential details about your book, such as the title, author’s name, and copyright information. It sets the stage for the journey they are about to embark upon. Meanwhile, back matter, including acknowledgments, author bios, and even a sneak peek at your subsequent work, keeps them engaged long after they’ve turned the final page.
TIP: Mimic the interior formatting of top books in your genre for a professional look that meets reader expectations.
Book Interior Design
When I first started self-publishing, I underestimated interior formatting until I realized its power to transform a reader’s experience.
Book interior design helps determine the spine size of your book’s cover. You’ll need the spine size for the print version. You don’t need the spine size for an eBook, as it doesn’t have a spine. Look online for free formatting templates for Microsoft Word to help you with the basic formatting, such as margins and spine size.
Interior formatting may be a little tedious for many new authors. If it is too tedious, consider hiring someone on Fiverr or other freelance sites to do the interior design. But you could do it yourself with the help of free interior design formats available from sites such as Derek Murphy’s Creative Indie.
Crafting the Front & Back Matter
When you pick up a book, do you flip past the title page and dive straight into the story? Most readers don’t. That’s why front and back matter, though seemingly inconspicuous, play an essential role in the overall reading experience. While the core manuscript draws prime focus, don’t neglect the first and last sections framing your work.
Front Matter
The front matter is the section that precedes the main content of your book. It provides readers with essential information about the book and sets the stage for what lies ahead. Before completing the front matter, look at what other books in your genre currently do in their front matter.
Non-fiction front matter might include several elements. It often consists of a foreword by an expert in the field, a detailed table of contents outlining the subject, and a preface by the author explaining their motivation and research process.
In fiction, a fantasy novel, for instance, could have a map of the fictional world, a list of characters and their relationships, and a brief introduction to the world’s lore or history.
Common Front Matter Elements
Title Page
This first page sets the tone for the book by its font and layout. The title page includes the book’s title, subtitle (if any), the author’s name, and often the publisher’s logo.
Copyright Page
This page contains crucial information, including a copyright notice, publication date, ISBN (International Standard Book Number), and details about the publisher. It also includes legal disclaimers and statements about permissions for using excerpts or quotes. Proper attribution avoids plagiarism disputes.
Confirm permission to reprint any non-original images or long quotes. Disclose and cite sources. Credit researchers in an acknowledgments section. Format notices like copyright pages professionally. You’ll find free copyright templates in the back of this book.
Dedication and Acknowledgments
Authors use these pages to express gratitude to those who supported and inspired them during the writing process. The dedication adds a personal touch to the book. Use the acknowledgments to thank those integral to the book coming together behind the scenes.
Table of Contents
While primarily used in non-fiction books, a table of contents guides readers through the structure of your book. With eBooks, the table of contents creates links for each chapter. A convenient aspect for your readers.
Foreword, Preface, or Introduction
These sections provide context to the book’s content, often offering insights into the author’s motivations, the book’s purpose, or the topic’s significance.
Back Matter Elements
Similarly, the back matter, which encompasses acknowledgments, author bios, and teasers for upcoming works, plays a crucial role in sustaining reader engagement well beyond the final page. These elements come after the main text. Once again, look at what your book’s current competition does. Back matter elements typically include the following.
Author’s Note
This might be an excerpt from a note in a historical novel explaining the research done and distinguishing between historical facts and fictional elements. It lets you connect with your readers personally, sharing thoughts, reflections, or updates. Share other insider insights in your author bio.
Appendices
If your book requires supplementary materials, data, or reference materials, appendices are the place to include them. They help readers delve deeper into the specific topics discussed in the book. Appendices offer supplemental content without clogging the body text.
References or Resources
In non-fiction works, it’s crucial to provide sources for the information presented in the book. This lends credibility to your work. You could also add other resources you may have read but didn’t use in the book if they help your readers. Both allow interested readers to explore further.
Index
Found in non-fiction books, an index lists keywords, topics, and page numbers, making it easier for readers to locate specific information.
Reader Magnet
A reader magnet is an irresistible free offer that you make to readers in exchange for their email address. It could be an exclusive short story featuring the main character, a sample chapter of your book, an eBook, or a guide to a topic related to your book.
Or use other resources your target audience would find valuable, such as discount coupons for your other books or products, audio files or podcast episodes, checklists or cheat sheets, or templates for creating something related to your book’s theme. They’re made available for download with newsletter signup.
A reader magnet page is a landing page designed to promote your reader magnet and encourage visitors to sign up for your mailing list. It’s a great way to build your email list and connect with your readers. At Kick Ass Writer’s Guide, we’ll send several free gifts when you fill out our contact form.
The chart compares the important levels of book interior design, front and back matter, layout and typography, and cover design. Each axis represents a different aspect, with the outermost point indicating higher importance. This format allows for an at-a-glance understanding of which elements are most critical to enhancing your book’s appeal and readability.
Book Interior Design—Wrap Up
The meticulous attention to interior formatting, particularly the front and back matter of your book, is more than an aesthetic choice. It’s also a strategic one. It sets the tone for your readers’ journey, offering them a glimpse into the world you’ve crafted and maintaining their engagement even after the last page is turned.
This writer’s guide, part of the “Is Your Book Ready to Self-Publish?” series, has underscored the importance of these elements in enhancing the reader’s experience and ensuring your book meets professional standards. By mirroring the formatting practices of top books in your genre, you can elevate your work’s presentation and appeal.
If you’d like to delve deeper into the various aspect book interior design or of self-publishing your book, and ensure your manuscript is ready, read Is Your Book Ready to Self-Publish? available on Amazon. It serves as a valuable resource offering comprehensive insights and practical advice to navigate the complex landscape of indie publishing successfully.
We encourage you to explore other writer’s guides in this series to further refine your understanding and application of self-publishing techniques. Each guide is designed to lead you through different aspects of the publishing process, ensuring your book not only reaches but also resonates with your intended audience. Your journey to becoming a successful indie author is just a few clicks away. Start by enhancing your knowledge with the first guide in the series, and take the next step by acquiring your copy of Is Your Book Ready to Self-Publish? today.
We trust you’ve found these tips on front and back matter both helpful and inspirational. They’re designed to equip you with the tools and insights to bolster your success as a new indie author.
The writing path is one filled with ongoing learning and enhancement. You don’t have to tread this path solo. We’re thrilled to accompany you on this journey, offering support and motivation at every turn. Our objective is to deliver foundational knowledge and pragmatic guidance, enabling you to traverse the literary landscape with amplified confidence.
Don’t wait. Start today! How can we help?
To let us know, please fill out our contact form. Happy writing!
FAQs—Book Interior Design: Front & Back Matter
These FAQs are tailored to enhance your understanding of creating engaging and professional front and back matter, ensuring your self-published book resonates with readers.
How can I choose the right elements to include in the front matter of my fiction book?
Answer: Look at bestsellers and critically acclaimed works in your genre to identify common elements. Maps, character lists, and brief lore introductions are popular in fantasy novels, for example.
What are the essential components of the back matter for a non-fiction book?
Answer: Non-fiction back matter often includes an author’s note, appendices for supplementary material, references or resources for further reading, and an index for easy navigation of topics and keywords.
Can the table of contents be creative, or should it strictly follow traditional formats?
Answer: While it’s crucial for the table of contents to be clear and navigable, especially in ebooks, you have creative freedom. Align its design with your book’s theme for a cohesive look.
Is it necessary to include a copyright page in every self-published book?
Answer: Yes, the copyright page is essential for protecting your rights, providing publication details, ISBN, and legal disclaimers. It adds professionalism and credibility to your book.
How can I effectively use reader magnets in the back matter to grow my audience?
Answer: Offer valuable content related to your book’s theme, like exclusive stories or guides, that appeals to your target audience. Ensure it’s easily accessible with a simple newsletter signup to build your email list.
