Back Matter for Nonfiction: What to Include (About the Author, Notes, CTA, Acknowledgments)
- Michelle M. White
- May 28
- 4 min read
Back matter is an opportunity to support the reader after the final chapter and invite a lasting connection. In nonfiction, it can add credibility, provide useful resources, and help readers take the next step.
Below is a practical checklist of what to include, what is optional, and how to help your book end as professionally as it begins.
In This Article
What is Back Matter?
Back Matter Essentials
Common Optional Back Matter Sections
A Simple Recommended Order
Design Tips that Improve Readability
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Quick Checklist: Back Matter Planning
Common Questions
More in This Series
What is Back Matter?
Back matter includes everything that appears after the main chapters of your book. In nonfiction, it can add credibility, provide useful resources, and help readers take the next step.
It is not just extra pages. When handled thoughtfully, back matter supports the reader and strengthens your author platform.
Back Matter Essentials
Most nonfiction books benefit from including at least a few of these elements:
About the author — a short bio that helps readers connect with you.
Contact information — a website and/or social links so readers can find you.
Review request — a simple, respectful invitation to leave a review.
Call to action (CTA) — a simple invitation for the reader to take the next step, such as visiting your website, joining your newsletter, exploring your other books, or downloading a related resource.
Common Optional Back Matter Sections
Depending on the type of nonfiction, you may also include:
Acknowledgments — many authors prefer placing longer acknowledgments here rather than in the front matter.
Appendix or appendices — worksheets, reference material, or expanded examples.
Notes or endnotes — especially in research-based books.
Bibliography or references — useful when sources need to be documented.
Resources or recommended reading — especially when readers may want to continue learning.
Glossary — helpful if the book uses specialized terms.
Index — common in reference-heavy nonfiction, though optional for many books.
Other books by the author or a series list.
A Simple Recommended Order
A clean and common approach is to begin with supporting material that relates closely to the book’s content, then move into reader connection and next steps.
A typical back matter order might look like this:
Acknowledgments (if placed in the back)
Appendix, notes, bibliography, references, glossary, or index (as needed)
Resources or recommended reading (optional)
About the author
Contact information, newsletter sign-up, or social links
Review request or call to action
Other books by the author or series list (optional)
Design Tips that Improve Readability
Keep headings clear and consistent, such as Appendix, Notes, or About the Author.
Use the same typography system as the rest of the interior so the book feels cohesive.
If you include links, such as a website or email list, make them easy to type and avoid unnecessary clutter. In print, short URLs or QR codes can help when they fit the design.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Watch for these common back matter issues:
Placing your website, newsletter, contact information, or call to action where readers are likely to miss it.
Overloading the back matter with pages that do not clearly serve the reader.
Placing the About the Author section in the front matter when the book would flow better with it at the end.
Using fonts or spacing that feel inconsistent with the rest of the interior.
Quick Checklist: Back Matter Planning
Before layout begins, decide:
Which back matter sections you want to include.
Your final author bio, including its length and tone.
Your website, social links, and any preferences for how you would like readers to connect with you after they read the book.
Whether you want a review request, and what wording will feel natural for your audience.
Whether you would like to place the acknowledgments in the front matter or the back matter.
Common Questions
Q: Should I include a call to action in the back matter?
A: Often, yes. Back matter is a natural place to invite the reader to take the next step without interrupting the flow of the book itself.
Q: Do I need an index?
A: It depends. Many practical or reference-heavy nonfiction books benefit from an index. For more narrative-driven nonfiction, it may be optional.
Q: Where should I put About the Author?
A: The back matter is the most common placement, because readers are often most interested in the author after they finish the book.
More in This Series
This article is part of my Parts of a Book series, where I walk through the different sections of a book and how to present them clearly and professionally. You’ll find more posts in the series below.
Front Matter Pages in Order: Title Page, Copyright, Dedication, TOC, and More
Foreword vs Preface vs Introduction: Differences + Where Each One Goes
Dedication and Acknowledgments (Are they Needed and Where do They Go?)
Does Your Book Need a Table of Contents? Best Practices for Fiction, Nonfiction, and Memoir (coming soon)
Back Matter for Nonfiction: What to Include (About the Author, Notes, CTA, Acknowledgments) (you’re here)
Final Thoughts
Back matter is often overlooked, but it is one of the best places to build trust and connection with the reader. Choose the elements that serve your audience, support your publishing goals, and give the book a thoughtful finish.
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