Structure or order of a book or publication?

Forum|Forum|1 year ago
June 21, 2024
1 reply
270 views

Hi all,

Long-time member, first-time contribution or question.

I was wondering if there is a standard formatting structure or order when creating a book or publication. A TOC must go before a foreword etc.

I am comfortable making publications but now I have made a few I thought I better ensure I am getting the order correct. Please enlighten me.

Thank you.

This topic has been closed for replies.

Derek Cross

Community Expert

I think you mean the order of prelims (front matter) and back matter. This list may help:

https://thepublishing.co.uk/prelims_guide.pdf

T

Team JenxAuthor

Participant

Thank you very much. Clearly I have a long way to go. Greatly appreciated.

James Gifford—NitroPress

Legend

That's a great summary list, one of the best/most concise I've seen. Leave it to the Brits. 🙂

Keep in mind, though, that not all those sections are required in every book. It has to be a pretty formal, academic work to have all those elements. Most simpler books can go with a half-title page backed with a blank page, a title page backed with a copyright/dedication page, and then a TOC if not the first page of any content. At the end, an index if the book has one. Everything else, including spreading out the copyright and dedication, is optional.

The one thing missing from this list is a colophon page, which is usually the last inside rear page, with the publisher logo and some details about the book's composition and typography. A bit... old-school and formal, but I'm fond of them.

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