Soon after my first book went to contract,my editor asked for the front matter and back matter to be submitted along withmy completed manuscript.

“Matter? What matter?” I asked, feelingtotally clueless.

I soon learned that front matterrefers to information on pages included before the beginning of the story. Similarly, backmatter is anything added after the end of the story.

Today, let’s take a closer look atthe front matter. I’ll cover the back matter in my next post.

I write for Love Inspired Suspense. Thefirst page in each book includes pull quotes from the story to tease the reader.The second page has the author’s bio and a list of some of the author’sprevious publications. The title and copyright information follow. All of thosepages are considered front matter.

The page following the copyright in LoveInspired books as well as in many other Christian stories is a Bible verse thatties in with the plot or character development.

Amish Blast Investigationreleases on June 27, and for that story, I chose Luke 12:24 as my Scriptureverse. “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” The storyinvolves an Amish baker, Becca Klein, who helps the estranged son of a kindlyolder man, who was killed in an explosion at her bakery, uncover the truth abouthis dad. Becca has a lot to learn about life and love so the verse isapplicable to the story.

In lieu of a scripture verse, secularbooks sometimes include an epigraph, which could be a quote or short paragraphthat doesn’t refer directly to the story but may have bearing on the theme, settingor mood of the story. A foreward or type of recommendation for the book is writtenby someone other than the author, usually a person of prominence, and may beincluded as well as a preface by the author that tells how the book came to bewritten. Some books include an introduction that provides insight into what topicsthe reader can expect to find within the story. All of these are consideredfront matter.

Authors who interview subject matterexperts for research will note their help in the acknowledgements. Often theauthor adds a caveat that any mistakes made are the author’s and have nobearing on the expert he or she interviewed.

An editor, agent or even the entirestaff at a publishing house might be added to the acknowledgments. Beforeselling my first story, I often scanned this information in newly releasedbooks to learn which agents represented which authors. The information helpedme determine the agents I should query when I sought representation for my own story.

The dedication is another bit offront matter found in both secular and Christian publications. I’ve dedicatedbooks to my husband, my children, my parents, to law enforcement officers, themilitary and to reader friends whose support has meant so much to me.

Amish Blast Investigationis dedicated to Carol Rose. In my book, I explained that Carol is “a beautifulwoman with a huge heart who not only cares for the aged and infirm but alsoprovides support and encouragement for their families. God bless you, Carol," I wrote in the dedication, "for your compassionate ministry to those in need.”

Carol cared for my dear friend’shusband who had Alzheimer’s. She has also helped a number of other seniors frommy church who needed in-home care. It was an honor to dedicate the book toCarol. I named a character after her as well. 

Do you read the front matter beforeyou buy a book? Does it have bearing on your purchase? Have you ever had a bookdedicated to you? What about prefaces, forewords and introductions? Do theyhelp “sell” the story?

Writers, share your thoughts on the frontmatter? Do you spend time choosing a Scripture or deciding upon yourdedications and acknowledgments?

Leave a comment to be entered in twodrawings with each winner receiving a copy of Amish Blast Investigation. 

Happy writing! Happy reading! 

Wishing you abundant blessings,

Debby Giusti

www.DebbyGiusti.com

A deadly explosion.

A dangerous search for the truth.

After an explosion rocks Becca Klein’s bakery and kills oneof her customers, she teams up with the victim’s son to find justice. Thoughestranged from his father, EnglischerLuke Snyder is compelled to help the Amish woman uncover why his father died.But ruthless killers believe Luke’s father gave Becca something they want, andthey’ll stop at nothing to get it. Can Luke keep Becca safe until they discoverthe truth?

Pre-Order NOW!