What Front and Back Matter Should Your Self-Published Book Include?

Front matter in a self-published book typically includes the half title page, full title page, copyright page, dedication, and table of contents. Back matter includes the acknowledgments, about the author page, a list of other works, and calls to action such as newsletter signups. The exact pages you need depend on whether you are formatting for print or ebook, and each platform has its own minimum page requirements.

What Is Front Matter and What Pages Does It Include?

Front matter is every page that appears before the first chapter of your book. It serves two purposes: establishing your book’s legal and publishing credentials, and giving the reader a professional first impression that matches traditionally published titles.

The standard front matter order, used across the publishing industry, is: half title page (displaying only the book’s title), full title page (title, subtitle, author name, and publisher imprint or logo), copyright and imprint page, dedication page, table of contents, foreword (written by someone other than the author), and preface or introduction (written by the author). Not every book needs all of these — a novel might include only the title page, copyright page, and dedication, while a nonfiction book with contributions from other experts might include all seven.

Front matter pages are traditionally numbered with lowercase Roman numerals (i, ii, iii, iv), with the main body text beginning at Arabic numeral page 1. Font sizes in front matter are typically smaller than the body text — usually 8 to 10 points compared to 11 or 12 points for the main content. If you are using formatting software such as Atticus, Vellum, or Reedsy, most of this pagination is handled automatically when you insert section breaks and page breaks correctly.

What Goes on a Copyright Page?

The copyright page is the single most important piece of front matter in a self-published book. It is required for distribution on all major platforms and provides the legal foundation for your intellectual property protection.

At minimum, your copyright page should include: the copyright symbol followed by the year and your name (© 2026 Your Name), a statement reserving your rights (“All rights reserved”), your ISBN (if applicable), the name of your publishing imprint or “independently published,” and the edition number if this is not the first edition. For fiction, it is common to add a disclaimer stating that characters and events are fictional. For nonfiction, you may need a disclaimer noting that the content is for informational purposes and should not substitute professional advice.

If you purchased your ISBN through Bowker or another registrar, list it here. If you are using a free KDP-assigned ISBN, you still want a copyright page — but the ISBN line is optional since KDP handles it in the metadata. IngramSpark requires a separately purchased ISBN, and it must appear on both your copyright page and your back cover barcode.

What Back Matter Pages Should You Add?

Back matter is everything after the final chapter, and for self-published authors it is one of the most strategically valuable sections of the book. While front matter establishes credibility, back matter converts a reader who just finished your book into a long-term follower.

The most common back matter pages are: acknowledgments (thanking contributors, editors, beta readers, and supporters), an about the author biography with your website URL and social media handles, a list of your other published works with links, a sample chapter or excerpt from your next title, and a call to action directing readers to your email newsletter or review page.

For nonfiction, you may also include a glossary of terms, an appendix with supplementary material, a bibliography or recommended reading list, and an index. Indexes are rare in self-published books because they are labor-intensive to produce, but for reference works or textbooks they add significant value.

The about the author page deserves particular attention. Keep it concise — two to three short paragraphs — and include your website URL without the “http://www” prefix for a cleaner appearance. If you have built an email list using a reader magnet strategy, your back matter call to action is where you direct readers to sign up.

How Does Front and Back Matter Differ Between Print and Ebook?

Print books benefit from comprehensive front matter because readers physically hold the book and browse the opening pages before buying. A polished title page, clean copyright page, and professional table of contents signal quality and justify the cover price.

Ebooks work differently. Most e-readers open directly to the first chapter, bypassing front matter entirely. More importantly, online retailers like Amazon show a free sample of your ebook to prospective buyers — typically the first 10 percent of the file. Every page of front matter you add pushes actual story or content out of that sample window. For this reason, ebook front matter should be minimal: a title page, copyright page, and (for nonfiction) a linked table of contents.

Back matter matters more in ebooks than in print. A print reader who finishes your book might set it on a shelf and forget about it. An ebook reader who reaches the last page sees your back matter immediately — and one tap can take them to your website, your email signup, or your next book’s purchase page. Structure your ebook back matter with the most important conversion elements first: newsletter signup, then other works, then acknowledgments and about the author.

A table of contents is essential for nonfiction in both formats. For ebooks, KDP requires a working NCX table of contents (the navigation file embedded in the EPUB structure) even if you also include an HTML table of contents visible to the reader. For print formatting, a table of contents is expected for nonfiction but optional for novels and short story collections.

What Do KDP, IngramSpark, and Draft2Digital Require?

Each major self-publishing platform has distinct requirements that affect how you structure your front and back matter.

Amazon KDP requires a minimum of 24 pages for black-and-white or premium color print books, and 72 pages for standard color books. There is no formal requirement for specific front matter pages, but KDP does require a working NCX table of contents for ebooks. KDP assigns a free ISBN automatically — you do not need to purchase one — but you can use your own if you prefer.

IngramSpark requires a minimum of 48 pages for paperback books if you want text printed on the spine, and a minimum of 18 pages for hardcovers. IngramSpark mandates a separately purchased ISBN that cannot be shared with or reused on other platforms. Your copyright page must include this ISBN, and your back cover must display the corresponding barcode.

Draft2Digital takes a different approach by offering automated front and back matter formatting tools. When you upload your manuscript, D2D can generate a title page, copyright page, table of contents, about the author section, and a list of your other works — all dynamically updated across its distribution network. This is especially useful for authors distributing to multiple retailers simultaneously, as D2D keeps your author bio and backlist current across all storefronts without requiring you to update each file individually.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do fiction books need a table of contents?

Fiction books do not strictly need a visible table of contents, but ebooks distributed through KDP require a working NCX navigation file embedded in the EPUB. For print fiction, a table of contents is optional and most novels omit it. Nonfiction books should always include one in both formats.

Should acknowledgments go in the front matter or back matter?

Acknowledgments can appear in either location, but back matter is the more common and recommended placement for self-published books. Placing acknowledgments in the front matter pushes your actual content further from the start of the book, which reduces the amount of story or information visible in ebook free samples.

Is a half title page necessary in a self-published book?

A half title page is not required, but including one signals professional formatting that matches traditionally published books. It is a single page displaying only the book’s title — no subtitle, author name, or other text. For ebooks, you can safely omit it to keep front matter minimal.

What should the about the author page include?

Your about the author page should include a brief biography of two to three paragraphs, your website URL, and links to your social media profiles. Keep it relevant to your writing — readers want to know what you write and why, not a full life history. Include your website URL in a clean format without the http or www prefix.

Can you use the same front and back matter for print and ebook versions?

You can use the same content, but you should adjust the structure for each format. Print books benefit from fuller front matter including a half title page and dedication. Ebooks should minimize front matter to maximize the free sample window and move engagement-focused elements like newsletter signups to the front of the back matter section.