Front Matter
The opening pages of your book that come before your main content.
What Is Front Matter?
Front matter includes the pages at the beginning of your book, before Chapter One.
It helps:
- present your book professionally
- provide important information
- set the tone for the reader
Not every book includes every element — most authors keep it simple.
Common Front Matter Pages
Title Page
- book title
- subtitle (if applicable)
- author name
Copyright Page
- copyright notice
- publisher name
- ISBN
- disclaimers (optional)
This page is usually placed on the back of the title page. *If you are unclear about what an ISBN is or who the publisher is, you can find out more information HERE.
Dedication (optional)
- short personal message
Table of Contents (optional for print fiction)
- required for nonfiction
- optional for novels
Acknowledgments (optional)
- thank contributors, supporters, or influences
Most fiction books include only a few of these, while nonfiction books often include more.
Recommended Order
Typical order:
- Title Page
- Copyright Page
- Dedication (optional)
- Table of Contents (if used)
- Acknowledgments (optional)
- Start of Chapter One
Keeping a standard order helps your book feel familiar and professional to readers.
What You Actually Need
For most fiction books:
- Title Page ✔
- Copyright Page ✔
- (Optional) Dedication
For nonfiction:
- Title Page ✔
- Copyright Page ✔
- Table of Contents ✔
- (Optional) Acknowledgments
You don’t need to include everything — just what fits your book.
Simple Front Matter Examples
Example 1 — Title Page
BOOK TITLE
Subtitle (if applicable)
Author Name
Centered on the page, with plenty of spacing.
Example 2 — Copyright Page
Copyright © 2026 by Author Name
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced…
ISBN: 123-4-567-89012-3
Published by [Your Publisher Name]
Usually smaller text and placed on the back of the title page.
If you do not know what an ISBN is, or where to get one, you should visit HERE first and decide the path that best fits you.
If you are not sure who your publisher is, you should visit HERE and decide the path that best fits you.
Example 3 — Dedication (optional)
For my family,
who made this possible.
Short, simple, and centered or slightly offset.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- including too many front matter pages
- placing items in the wrong order
- adding unnecessary blank pages
- overcomplicating simple sections
Keep It Simple
Front matter should be clean, minimal, and easy to navigate.
Focus on:
- including only what you need ✔
- using a standard order ✔
- keeping it simple ✔
Most books start with just a title page and copyright page — and that’s perfectly fine.