We’re going “back to basics” this month. Today, we’re going to discuss book structure, specifically for nonfiction. Every book type has a structure, and nonfiction is fairly straightforward. It helps to know what goes where so you can “fill in the blanks” as you write your book. This is the structure of most nonfiction:
End papers (blank pages before the book starts)/reviews (“What People Are Saying” – can be the very first few pages, even before the title page
Half title page (typically used for author signings – will usually contain just the book main title – starts on right side only)
Other books by the author page (can start right or left, typically left if after the half title page)
*Title page (main title page, starts on right side only, usually contains the title, subtitle, additional tagline – if any, author name, publisher name, publisher city, state, or country – publisher info optional)
*Copyright page (always on the back of the main title page, contains the ISBN and boilerplate copyright info):
Copyright © (year) by (author name)
All rights reserved under International Copyright Law. Contents and/or cover may not be reproduced in whole or in part in any form without the express written consent of the Publisher.
And if fiction, this is sometimes also added on the copyright page:
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
Dedication (usually starts on the right)
Acknowledgments
*Contents page (typically for nonfiction only, always starts on the right)
List of charts, diagrams, maps, photos, or illustrations
Foreword (written by someone other than the book author)
Preface (written by the author, but outside the book’s main contents. Some authors use “Author’s Note.”)
Introduction (written by the author, usually an overview of the information presented)
*Chapters (usually start on the right hand side, but occasionally convention is broken to reduce overall number of pages)
Afterword
Appendices
Glossary
Bibliography
Index
*Author Bio (written in 3rd person, typically)
End Papers (usually at least one blank page at the end)
The “must have” items are starred. Cross off any items you won’t need for your book. Of course, this structure is for nonfiction. You can find a discussion of one story arc type “The Hero’s Journey” here: http://www.thewritersjourney.com/hero%27s_journey.htm.
Hope this helps!