Front matter is everything before the main book, while back matter comes after it. Both should help the reader without making the book feel crowded. This guide will help you choose what to include, put each section in a clear order, and check the finished files after a change.
Start with the essentials
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 a clear order
If you include a dedication, epigraph, foreword, or preface, keep their order stable across drafts.
Frequent reordering can leave the table of contents out of date or break links in an EPUB.
Think of section order as part of the book structure, not as a last-minute cosmetic choice.
Choose an order that fits your kind of book
Fiction, nonfiction, and series books often need different supporting sections. Start with the simplest order that helps the reader, then add optional material only when it has a clear purpose.
A fiction book might move from title and copyright pages into an optional dedication or epigraph, then the story, acknowledgments, an author note, and a short invitation to read the next book.
A nonfiction book may need a contents page, foreword, preface, or introduction before the main chapters, followed by appendices, notes, references, an index, and author information when those sections support the subject.
A series book may add a series-order page near the front or back and a next-book preview after the story. Keep promotional sections short enough that they do not bury the ending the reader just reached.
Give readers one clear next step
The pages after the main book usually work best when they offer one clear 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 the opening and ending pages in both formats
Adding or moving a section can change chapter starts, page numbers, and table-of-contents links.
When your files are ready, review the print version for page flow and intentional blank pages. Then review the EPUB separately to make sure the table of contents and other links work.
If you change the book after creating either file, make new print and EPUB files with the tool you use and check them again. Results from an older file do not automatically apply to the new one.
Print pages and EPUB screens work differently
A printed book has fixed pages. You may choose to begin a title page, part opener, or chapter on a right-hand page, hide the page number on certain pages, or use Roman numerals in the front matter.
A standard EPUB does not keep fixed left-hand and right-hand pages. Readers can change the font size, screen size, and spacing, so clear headings, working links, and clean section breaks matter more than fixed page numbers.
The sections can stay in the same order in both formats even though the page behavior changes. Check the print file for page sides and numbering. Check the EPUB for reading order, table-of-contents links, and smooth transitions without unwanted empty screens.
Helpful Examples and Comparisons
Which opening and ending sections do you need?
Part of the book
Common choices
Keep them when…
Leave them out when…
Opening essentials
Title page, copyright page, table of contents
They provide the basic book information and useful navigation.
Keep the title and copyright pages. A table of contents may be unnecessary in some short books.
Optional opening pages
Dedication, epigraph, foreword, preface
The section helps the reader before chapter one starts.
It repeats information or delays the book without helping.
Common ending pages
About the author, other books, acknowledgments
You want a clear post-reading context and discovery path.
The section is still placeholder text or unfinished.
Optional ending pages
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.
Example section orders for different kinds of books
Use these as friendly starting points, not strict rules. Leave out anything that does not help your reader.
Kind of book
Possible opening sections
The book itself
Possible ending sections
Standalone fiction
Title → Copyright → Optional dedication or epigraph → Optional contents
Story chapters or parts
Acknowledgments → About the author → Other books or one reader invitation
Narrative nonfiction
Title → Copyright → Contents → Optional foreword or preface → Introduction
Main chapters or parts
Appendices → Notes or references → Index when needed → About the author
Practical or instructional nonfiction
Title → Copyright → Contents → How to use this book → Introduction
Instructional chapters, examples, and exercises
Templates or resources → Notes or references → Index when needed → Author information
Series fiction
Title → Copyright → Optional series order → Optional map or cast list
Story chapters or parts
Acknowledgments → Next-book preview → Series order → About the author or newsletter invitation
How the same book works in print and EPUB
Part of the book
In print
In an EPUB
What to check
Title and opening pages
A title or part opener may be placed on a right-hand page with no visible folio.
The section follows the defined reading order; left/right placement is not fixed.
In print, check the page side and any intentional blank page. In the EPUB, check the reading order and section break.
Front-matter numbering
Visible numbers may be suppressed or use a different numbering sequence from the body.
Navigation relies on document order and links rather than a stable printed page number.
Check print numbering changes, then make sure EPUB contents links and labels are correct.
Table of contents
Entries may display the fixed page number for each section.
Entries should be clickable and point to the correct heading.
Check printed page references and click every link in the EPUB contents list.
Chapter starts
A chapter may intentionally start on the next right-hand page.
A chapter should begin with a clean section break without inserting a fake blank screen.
Check right-hand chapter starts and intentional blanks in print, then check chapter breaks and headings in the EPUB.
Back matter
The first ending section begins on a fixed page and the page numbers continue.
The section follows the story in reading order and remains reachable through navigation when appropriate.
Check page flow in print, then check the links and reading order in the EPUB.
Before You Publish
Choose a clear order for the opening and ending sections before your final polish.
Keep title and copyright pages as required front matter.
Use optional front matter only when it adds context for the reader.
Use clear heading levels so the table of contents is built in the order you expect.
Check page numbering after every section reorder.
Check printed page references and click every table-of-contents link in the EPUB.
Limit back-matter calls to action to one main ask.
Remove placeholder sections before creating your final files.
After front or back matter edits, create replacement output with your existing tool and rerun the relevant checks.
Keep the exact print and EPUB files that completed their format-specific checks.
If You Find a Problem
A table-of-contents link opens the wrong section
What to change: Correct the heading levels and change repeated section titles that may be creating confusing link destinations.
Check again: Each contents entry opens the intended section.
The opening pages show unexpected page numbers
What to change: Adjust the page-number settings for those sections and confirm where visible numbering should begin.
Check again: Title, copyright, and optional pages follow the numbering pattern you intended.
An unexpected blank page appears before chapter one
What to change: Check right-hand page rules and remove accidental page breaks at the section boundary.
Check again: Only intentional blank pages remain.
An ending section has a heading but no content
What to change: Remove the unused heading or finish the section before creating the file again.
Check again: No empty titled pages remain in the final file.
What to Save for Your Records
Screenshots worth keeping
Save screenshots showing that the contents links work for chapter one and every optional opening section.
Save the transition from the last chapter to the first back-matter page.
Save one screenshot showing the page-numbering behavior you intended.
Want to organize the book in Senswriter?
These steps work no matter which writing or formatting tool you use. Senswriter is simply an option if you would like one place to organize a manuscript and prepare it for publication.
Create a free account to start a manuscript or import work you already have.
Organize chapters, scenes, opening pages, and ending pages with a free account.
Preview the book as you prepare it for print and ebook release.
If you later need final files, review the paid export options and decide whether one fits your needs.