Back matter is often overlooked as a step in the publishing process, but it is actually quite important. Back matter includes all the extra material in a book that comes after the main text. This can include things like appendices, bibliographies, indexes and even prefatory information.
Back matter is important for a few different reasons. First, it helps to provide additional context and information to the reader. For instance, if the publisher wants the reader to know more about an author, or a source for a quote, a readers' guide can be included as back matter. Doing so gives the reader an easy way to access important information quickly.
Additionally, back matter can help to create a richer reading experience. For instance, a bibliography or index can help the reader to locate important material they have read in the book quickly and easily. Appendices can provide additional notes and context to supplement the text.
Back matter is also important for providing version control information. For example, a copyright page that indicates the year in which the book was printed can help to authenticate the work. Having a unique version number included in the back matter also allows publishers to track changes over multiple editions.
All in all, back matter is an important component of the publishing process. It helps to provide readers with additional information, create a richer reading experience, and ensure version control. Without it, the reading experience of a book would be far less sophisticated.
