Front and back matter should support the reading experience, not make the book feel cluttered. Use this guide to choose the sections you actually need, place them in a stable order, and check the export after each change.
Start with a small front-matter core
Most books work well with a short front-matter core: title page, copyright page, and a table of contents when it helps the reader.
Add optional pages only when they improve context, not just because a template includes them.
A shorter front section usually means fewer page-number and navigation surprises later.
Keep optional sections in one stable order
If you include a dedication, epigraph, foreword, or preface, keep their order stable across drafts.
Frequent reordering can cause TOC drift and broken links in EPUB exports.
Think of section order as part of the book structure, not as a last-minute cosmetic choice.
Give back matter one clear job
Back matter usually works best when it points the reader toward one main next step: read another book, join your newsletter, or visit your author page.
Too many calls to action make the end of the book feel crowded.
Keep acknowledgments and author notes concise so the ending stays focused.
Check front and back matter in both print and EPUB
Any new section or reordered section can move chapter starts, page numbers, and TOC targets.
After you make changes, rerun print checks for page flow and blank pages, then rerun EPUB checks for navigation and TOC behavior.
Always export a fresh file after structure edits so you do not accidentally validate an older version.
Numbers and Reference Tables
Suggested section order by manuscript zone
Zone
Common sections
Keep if
Skip if
Front matter core
Title page, copyright page, TOC
You need the legal basics and clear navigation.
Never skip title or copyright; TOC is optional for some shorter books.
Front matter optional
Dedication, epigraph, foreword, preface
The section helps the reader before chapter one starts.
It repeats information or delays the book without helping.
Back matter core
About the author, other books, acknowledgments
You want a clear post-reading context and discovery path.
The section is still placeholder text or unfinished.
Back matter optional
Reader note, newsletter CTA, bonus links
You have one clear action and verified links.
The calls to action compete with each other or feel too promotional.
Publish Checklist
Choose a stable section order for front and back matter before final polishing.
Keep title and copyright pages as required front matter.
Use optional front matter only when it adds context for the reader.
Make sure heading hierarchy matches the TOC behavior you want.
Check page numbering after every section reorder.
Verify TOC link destinations in both print preview and EPUB readers.
Limit back-matter calls to action to one main ask.
Remove placeholder sections before final export.
Export again after front or back matter edits and rerun checks.
Keep one final file after the structure is verified.
Warning-to-Fix Map
Warning pattern: TOC links point to the wrong section
Fix: Clean up heading levels and remove duplicate section titles that create anchor conflicts.
Verify: Each TOC entry lands on the intended front or back matter heading.
Warning pattern: unexpected page numbers in front matter
Fix: Adjust section pagination rules and confirm front matter numbering behavior.
Verify: Title, copyright, and optional pages follow the numbering pattern you intended.
Warning pattern: blank page appears between front matter and chapter one
Fix: Check right-hand page rules and remove accidental page breaks at the section boundary.
Verify: Only intentional blank pages remain.
Warning pattern: back-matter sections show empty headings in export
Fix: Remove unused heading stubs or fill the section before exporting again.
Verify: No empty titled pages remain in the final file.
Verification Checklist
Screenshots worth keeping
Save TOC click-through screenshots for chapter one and every optional front-matter section.
Save the transition from the last chapter to the first back-matter page.
Save one screenshot showing the page-numbering behavior you intended.
The Senswriter way (faster)
Use the same workflow in one workspace: draft, export, run checks, fix the source, and upload one clean final file.
Write and reorganize chapters/scenes without switching between multiple tools.
Generate print-ready PDF, EPUB, and DOCX from the same manuscript source.
Re-export quickly after fixes so KDP and EPUB checks stay repeatable.
Use optional BYOK AI assist only if you want drafting support.