As you read the title of this post, are you wondering what I’m talking about? If you’re a writer, you know what I mean. If you are a reader and not a writer, do you know what this post is about? Just in case you might not know, I’ll explain. I’m hoping you will let me know about your reading habits, whether you’re an author or a reader or both.
We authors sometimes discuss among ourselves about what we should put in the front part of our books and what we should put at the end of our books. If an author is traditionally published, the publishing house decides what goes in the front and back of books, but indie authors can decide for themselves. In this blog post, I’m going to use my latest release as an example. Second Chance Forgiveness, the third book in my Pinecrest series, was originally published by Harlequin Love Inspired under the title of The Heart’s Forgiveness.
When this book was traditionally published, the front matter consisted of a teaser from the story of a few paragraphs. I’ll share it here.
“I know you said you didn’t want to talk about the past, but I decided today that I can’t live next door to you and work with you every day without discussing it. Whether you like it or not, we’ve got to clear the air.”
Grady shook his head and rubbed the back of his neck. “I don’t see the point.”
“We just have to get it out of the way once and for all. Then we don’t have to worry about stumbling onto the subject somewhere down the line.”
He gritted his teeth, then forced himself to relax. “So what do you want to do?”
“I want to set the record straight about Nina. Will you listen?”
“What’s there to say about a woman who ran off and left her husband and children to be with another man?” He narrowed his gaze. “A good wife and mother wouldn’t do that.”
“What she did doesn’t mean she wasn’t a good mother.”
“In my opinion it does.”
“Well, maybe you were a…” Maria’s voice trailed off.
“Maybe I was what?”
“Nothing,” she said, shaking her head. “I just wanted you to understand that no one’s all good or all bad.”
“So I’m just supposed to forget about what she did and pretend she was wonderful?”
Maria sighed. “I didn’t say that.”
“She ran off with another man, and you stood by and let her.”
Next came a list of my previous books published by Love Inspired and my author bio. Then the reader sees a title page and the copyright page, followed by a scripture verse and a dedication and acknowledgement page. Then Chapter One.
In my indie ebooks, I start with the title page, followed by the book description (blurb), copyright page, scripture, and table of contents. Then Chapter One. Here are the questions. Do you read any of this, and does it make a difference if you are reading an ebook or a print book? If you read the front matter, would you prefer a teaser like the one above or a blurb?
Now for the back matter. In my traditionally published books there was the “Dear Reader” letter, and in my earlier books there were discussion questions. (I have to admit that when the publisher dropped the discussion questions I sent up a big cheer. I didn’t like writing them.) Sometimes there was an excerpt at the end for another author’s book coming out the next month.
In my indie ebooks I put the “Dear Reader” letter, then an excerpt from the next book in the series or a book from another series of mine, followed by my author bio and a list of my others books by series. These are my questions for the back matter. Do you read an excerpt if there is one? Do you look at the list of other books by an author? Would you use discussion questions if they are there? Or do you ignore the back matter altogether?
I look forward to reading the answers to these questions. I will give away an ebook copy of Second Chance Love, the first book in the Pinecrest series, to one person who answers my questions. The giveaway will close on July 29 at 9PM MST when a winner will be chosen at random.
“Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.”
Merrillee Whren is an award-winning author who writes inspirational romance. She is the winner of the 2003 Golden Heart Award for best inspirational romance manuscript presented by Romance Writers of America. She has also been the recipient of the RT Reviewers’ Choice Award and the Maggie Award for Excellence. She is married to her own personal hero, her husband of thirty plus years, and has two grown daughters. She has lived in Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Chicago and Florida but now makes her home in the Arizona desert. When she’s not writing, she spends her free time playing tennis or walking while she does the plotting for her novels.
First, the title of the post does not “Match” the title in the graphic. The graphic makes so much more sense! :)
As a reader, if it’s a print book, I will read all front and back matter with the exception of excerpts. I don’t like having something in my mind that isn’t finished — it clutters up my already weakening (aging) brain. I love to read any author notes and dedications. If it’s an ebook, I skip the front matter a lot quicker, except for an author’s note.
As an indie author, also, I have made different decisions about where I put certain things. I have made the executive decision to keep front matter to a minimum. I include only a title page, copyright page, dedication and acknowledgements usually go together now, and any author’s notes about the particular book. In the case of my “Love is” series, I also include a page that has all the descriptions of love from 1 Corinthians 13, since that is what the series is based on, highlighting the phrase for that particular book’s theme. My back matter usually has a list of other books in the series, a thank you page that asks for a review, about the author, and where to sign up to find out more about me and my books.
I’m a reader. I found this article interesting. Blessings
I’m a reader, and yes, I read everything in a book! I will skip some of the front, like if there are endorsements for the book or other books by the author. I look to see the names of the people who endorsed the book, and if I recognize a name, I’ll read what they wrote. If there is a little about the book, I’ll read that, too. I read the “Dear Reader”, the acknowledgements, if there’s something at the back. I MIGHT read the discussion questions, but more often than not, I ignore them. I do read the excerpts in the back IF I’ve not already read them in a previous book, or IF it’s a new to me author and I’ve not read any of their previous books. I’ll even read the author bio, if it looks like something has changed. If the first chapter from the next book in a series is there, I’ll read that, too! Of course, I’m also one of those people that read the info things on gas pumps, too!! If there’s something to read, I’ll read it! lol!
I’m a reader and I go to Chapter 1 and start reading and ignore the extra bits at the back. Interesting post though, I had never considered the pre and post bits around the story.
What an interesting post! I have to say that when I’m a reader, I totally ignore discussion questions. They feel too much like the dull parts of school. Also as a reader, I will add that I rarely see the front matter in ebooks. The book opens to Chapter Once and unless I really want to see the cover, I just start reading.
I read almost all of the front and back, except the discussion questions. Sometimes I don’t read all of the reviews, but if I recognize another author, I read theirs.
I don’t really care whether there’s a teaser paragraph in the front of the book, mainly because if I’m reading the book then I’ll get to that part anyway. I do read the dedications and stuff though. As to the back of the book, I don’t really bother with the discussion questions either. I will read an excerpt if its shared, unless its of a book I already plan on getting anyway. I do like seeing the list of the author’s other books though because when I really enjoy a book I tend to want to go and read more by that author.
Great topic! I’ve wondered this myself as I occasionally fiddle with the amount of front/back matter in my books and rearrange it.
As a reader, I do tend to read everything in the file except, as you say, the discussion questions. They may possibly be fun for a book club, but as a solo reader, I just skip and move on to the next book in the queue :)
Blurbs or excerpts in the front I don’t tend to read but I read scripture, dedications, and acknowledgements. I love reading letters from the author in the back matter, it’s a bonus if it tells some fun fact about the story, and if there is an excerpt in the back from another book I will usually read it. I don’t use discussion questions and don’t miss them if they are not there.
Lila, thanks for proofreading for me. I need an editor for my posts. :) I will go back in and fix it. Thankfully the typo was in the title not the meme. The title is much easier to fix.
Thanks, Lelia.
Trudy,
I know about reading anything that can be read. It reminds me of reading cereal boxes when I was a kid. It’s good to know what you read. Thanks for your input.
Dianne, thanks for your input.
Sally, thanks for your input.
Kathy, I have never put reviews in the front or the back. Do you find them helpful?
Megan, thanks so much for your input.
Valerie, thanks! It appears from the comments that most readers don’t bother with the discussion questions. They are probably most valuable for a book club. I have never put any in my indie books.
Jessica, thanks so much your input.
I enjoy any extra material that helps me get to know the author better. So, dedication and acknowledgements I read regularly. I read e-books almost exclusively so I will often back up to look at the cover. I’ll skip blurbs or teasers since I plan on letting the book speak for itself. I don’t feel the need to be either blurbed or teased since I already bought the book. I will read excerpts at the end if I have not already purchased the book. If I am planning to buy the excerpted book, I may skip it. I will skim lists of the author’s other books and skip reviews altogether. I generally avoid discussion questions unless scriptural themes featured strongly in the story. Then I might skim them. For me, the story and the author are what I enjoy.
Hi Merrillee! This retired literature teacher and avid reader enjoys the extras. Since I mainly read e-books I enjoy a blurb at the beginning of the book as a reminder what I am reading. I read dedications and often praise paragraphs. I also like to know when the book was published and who published the book. At the end of the story I do not read excerpts. I agree with Lila excerpts clutter my brain and if I read the next story in a series, I remember the excerpt and think I read the book. I do not read excerpts in blogs, email, or on social media. Reading three books a week, my 70 year old brain (computer) screams hard drive full. The only time I read discussion questions are for book club meetings. Skip the questions. I do enjoy an author bio, but wished authors would include a more creative version than what is on Amazon or their web page. Mix them up. I also read the pages of other works and I especially enjoy background info to the story – where did the idea come from, extra research, trips and more. Background info is especially useful in historical novels. Hope this helps. Great topic. Best wishes.
Lincoln, thanks for your input. Do you usually read a book as soon as you purchase it? For me I have books on my ereader that a bought months ago, and having a blurb at the front reminds what the book is about. Maybe that’s just me.
Renate, I just asked a question about the blurb above before I read your comment. I also like that blurb at the front as a reminder because often I don’t read a books as soon as I purchase it. Thanks for the idea of mixing up the bios. I am guilty of using the same one over and over again. ;)
Merrillee as stated below. I also like a blurb in the beginning of an ebook. For print versions one has the blurb on the back cover. That isn’t the case with ebooks. I hate when I have to go to Amazon to figure out why I purchased the book. Interesting blog. My kind. Interactive about why we read. Love seeing people’s responses. Take care. Happy writing.
Merrillee, about the bio. Authors change, as do readers (interests, travels, education, family, pets, and more). Some write different genre. So for those of us, who read every book by an author – we know the basic information. I understand that for a Indie published author – one has to wear many hats. Creating covers, writing blurbs, promoting, social media, book signings or Facebook parties and more. But if authors – had a basic bio and maybe two others (that can be interchanged) – what a great way for the reader to know their favorite authors better. Just a thought. I noticed the same bios when posting reviews on Amazon, Goodreads, and Bookbub. Happy writing.
No, I very often do not read books right away. In sifting through my Kindle library, I more often just want to know if I’ve read the book at all. Just opening the book gives me that info.
I read it all.
Denise, that is nice to know.
I usually don’t read teasers and excerpts or the discussion questions. I read the letter to the readers especially if it tells more about the book, how it was researched, or how it came about.
Susan, thanks for your input.
I don’t read discussion questions at the back. But I love a front “teaser”, scripture, acknowledgments & dedications, reader letter at the end, and I LOVE epilogues!
If I were a part of a book club, the discussion questions would be perfect! :-)
Great question! I tend to read everything except the Discussion questions & sometimes I read those, as well. I am now reading e books but even with print, I always look(ed) for the “blurb” (back cover usually). I prefer it over an excerpt as I feel it gives me a better idea of where the story is going, but I will read whatever is provided. I want to know how many chapters are in a book (so I can judge how close I am to the end at 1pm at night) so I prefer the Chapter list in the front where I can find it. I also appreciate the copyright date where I can find it. I read books in order chronologically & usually the copyright date clears that up. I appreciate the book order & title names for books in a series for the same reason & blurbs about the book prior, following, & perhaps the book #1 so I can decide if I want to purchase add’l books. Website info is great or a link to Facebook or goodreads. If another author recommends the book on the cover I would take notice but reviews from the general public, not so much. I usually read those reviews before buying anyway, independently. I love bios, read dedications, & forwards.
Oh I forgot, I always read the back cover blurb :-)
I sometimes reads the short excerpt in front of the book, I do like the dedication and also list of books in a series or by the author. In an ebook I do miss some off this but I still like the dedication.
For the back I do like the letter to the reader and if its a Historical and things are changed like the letter that explains what and why. I like the author bio. I don’t normally read the discussion questions. I don’t mind a teaser of then next book in the series.
Merrillee! I agree with Penelope. As an avid reader of e-books, a list of chapters makes me happy for the reason stated. A chapter list is important when interrupted in reading (watch grandkids a lot) and gives an easy way to navigate back and forth. When my eyes blurr at 2 am – I sneak to read the last chapter. Been doing that since I was a teen. Great discussion.
I like having the book description at the front of an ebook because sometimes the timespan between downloading the book and reading it is so long, I need the reminder of why I chose it!
I’ll read About the Author and Acknowledgements, Dedications and Letters to the Reader. I routinely skip excerpts and reviews.