Formatting the front matter of a book is one of the most important things you can do as an author to set up your work for success. Front matter typically includes the title page, copyright page, dedication page, table of contents, epigraph, and any other introductory materials.
To properly format the front matter of a book, it’s important to put each subject in the proper order. Some elements, such as the table of contents, can be optional, but it is important to start with the basics.
Starting with the title page, it needs to clearly show the book’s title and subtitle, if there is one. The author’s name should be displayed above the title. The copyright page should follow the title page and will include the publisher's details and copyright details.
The dedication page should come next and provide an acknowledgment of any people the author wishes to thank, such as friends and family, who were instrumental in the book’s creation.
Once the dedication page has been included, the author should then insert any epigraphs that may be included in the front matter. An epigraph is a quote, poem, or other prose that the author wishes to include; it generally serves to highlight the main theme of the book.
Finally, the table of contents is added to the book, which should accurately reflect the chapters and the order in which they appear in the book. If a book includes a glossary or index, these can also be added to the table of contents after it has been created.
By following these steps, any book author can have confidence that the front matter of their book has been formatted properly. Good luck with your book!
