Prepare acknowledgments, author note, teaser chapters, and "About the Author" sections. Include links to your newsletter or social channels so readers can stay connected.
The front and back matter are the pages that frame your book. They:
Contains only the book title, subtitle (if any), and author name, centered mid-page.
You created this in Phase 1. It should include:
A short, personal message dedicating the book to someone special.
Keep it short—one or two sentences is perfect.
Brief thank-yous to people who helped make the book possible.
Front vs. Back: Short acknowledgements (1-2 paragraphs) can go at the front. Longer, detailed thanks usually go at the back.
Most fiction books don't include a table of contents, but you can if:
For ebooks: Most formatting tools auto-generate a clickable table of contents in the navigation.
A personal message thanking readers and inviting them into your next book or project.
Thank you for reading The Ember Gate. This world began as a single line in a notebook and grew into something I can't wait to share again.
If you'd like to see where the story goes next, keep reading for a preview of The Shadow Key, Book 2 in the Dusklands series.
And if you enjoyed this book, I'd be so grateful if you'd leave a review on Amazon or Goodreads. Reviews help readers find books they'll love, and your support means the world to indie authors like me.
Always ask for reviews in your author note. Phrase it warmly and personally. Many readers are happy to leave reviews—they just need a gentle reminder.
Include the opening scene or first chapter of your next title to encourage read-through and series binge-reading.
What to include:
If you have many people to thank, put detailed acknowledgements at the back.
This book would not exist without the following people:
To my editor, Sarah, who saw the heart of this story even when I couldn't. To my beta readers—Jamie, Alex, and Morgan—who gave honest, thoughtful feedback that shaped every chapter.
To the Romantasy Writers community, who answered countless questions and cheered me on through every draft.
And to my family, who believed in this dream long before it became a book.
A brief bio (2-4 sentences) introducing you to new readers.
L. R. Hart writes epic fantasy filled with quiet heroes and dangerous magic. When not writing, they can usually be found wandering second-hand bookshops or hiking with coffee in hand.
They live in Edinburgh with two cats and too many unread books.
Tips for writing your author bio:
Provide ways for readers to stay in touch and discover more of your work.
Join the author's newsletter for updates, bonus content, and early access to new releases:
www.narratoria.com/newsletter
Follow on social media:
Instagram: @LRHartBooks
TikTok: @LRHartWrites
Goodreads: L. R. Hart
Always include your newsletter link. Email is the most direct way to reach readers, and it's the marketing channel you actually own (unlike social media algorithms). Make signing up easy with a short, memorable URL.
List your other published books to encourage readers to explore your backlist.
Also by L. R. Hart
The Dusklands Series
The Ember Gate
The Shadow Key
The Iron Veil (Coming 2026)
Standalone Novels
Beneath the Forgotten Stars
Draft your front and back matter in separate documents first. This makes it easier to edit and get feedback without affecting your main manuscript.
Ask a trusted reader or writing friend to review your author note and bio. Fresh eyes catch awkward phrasing or missed opportunities.
Once finalized, add front and back matter to your manuscript file:
Save the finished document as:
BookTitle_Final_WithFrontBackMatter.docx
Place it in your /Manuscript/Final Versions/ folder.
Always use page breaks (Ctrl + Enter) between sections, not just blank lines. Formatters need clear section divisions.
Test every link before finalizing. A broken newsletter link means you lose potential subscribers.
Keep it brief—2-3 paragraphs max. Readers want to move on to the next book, not read a lengthy essay.
Always guide readers on what to do next: sign up for your newsletter, read the next book, leave a review. Don't leave them hanging!
✅ Once your front and back matter are written and inserted into your manuscript, mark this task complete!
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