What is Front Matter? (Part 4)
Virtus Publishing Production Tip
What is Front Matter? (Part 4)
In any published book there are pages that precede the regular text that are placed in a specific order and that are numbered separately, using lowercase Roman numerals. In some cases, some of these pages may be followed by a left-hand page (called a verso) that’s blank; a right-hand page (called a recto) is never blank according to best publishing practices.
The key components may include (in this order):
Half title page
Frontispiece (or blank verso)
Title page
Copyright page
Dedication page
Blank verso
Contents
Foreword
Acknowledgments
Preface
What is included may vary and not all of these elements are absolutely necessary. Note that these standards apply to printed books; eBooks may delete some of these elements.
Let’s look at the last three key elements in terms of what’s possible.
Foreword
The term foreword is used exclusively for introductory text written by someone other than the author. These may include an editor, colleague, friend, or associate. The foreword begins on the first recto (right-hand page) following the Contents and lowercase Roman numerals are used for the page number(s).
The text for the foreword is set identical to the regular text. It’s customary for the name of the author of the foreword, their affiliation (if desired), their location, and the date to be included at the conclusion of the foreword. In some cases the foreword may be mentioned on the title page: “With a Foreword by… .” This practice is generally limited to cases where the foreword was written by a noteworthy or otherwise well-known individual.
Acknowledgments
The inclusion of a separate acknowledgments section varies depending on the type of book and the preferences of the author. The placement of the acknowledgments may also vary; in some cases it may either precede or follow the preface. In other cases it may be placed in the back matter of the book.
Text for the acknowledgments section is also set identical to the regular text. Regardless of the placement it begins on a recto (right-hand page). When it appears in the front matter, lowercase Roman numerals are used for the page number(s).
Preface
The preface is text written by the author and includes their own comments about the work. These comments may vary; typically the preface may include the author’s reasons for writing the book and comments regarding research that was done, if applicable. The preface may be signed by the author; typically the signature is limited to initials.
The preface always appears as part of the front matter and lowercase Roman numbering is used for the page numbers.
There may be cases where the preface is replaced by a “Prologue” or “Introduction” and included in the front matter. This practice would be used in cases where such introductory text is not considered to be part of the regular text but is directly related to the text. It may be included in the front matter, would always start on a recto (right-hand page), and may use either lowercase Roman numerals or Arabic numbers for the page number(s).
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