It's easy to obsess over your book’s opening chapter or chase the perfect midpoint twist. But what happens after your final sentence might be the most valuable real estate in your entire manuscript.
Why?
When a reader stays with you to the end, you need to make sure they don’t stop there.
Back matter typically collects dust in the pages at the back of your book. Authors invest boundless energy into developing intriguing beginnings, captivating middles, and resolving endings. But they neglect the highly effective marketing tool sitting in wait.
Authors who are using their back matter as part of their book marketing strategies are doubling their sales.
You can, too.
Lead your readers to your next creation. Give them a reason to continue with you. Make it easy for them to stay connected.
Good back matter turns browsers into loyal followers, which is a critical component of any effective book marketing plan. This article will demonstrate exactly how to write back matter that sells your next book around the clock.
Who Cares About Back Matter, Anyway?
You should care. A lot. Back matter isn't just an afterthought; it's a golden opportunity that many authors completely miss.
A person who finishes your book is already sold on your writing. They've committed hours to your story or ideas. They're warm leads who need just a gentle nudge to take the next step in their journey with you.
One survey shows that authors who include back matter promoting another book saw a 2.2 times higher increase in sales of other books in their series than authors who didn't. That's more than double the sales with just a few well-crafted pages!
I once worked with one CEO who was writing a series of memoirs about her company's development. We embedded strategic back matter in the third book together and her series' sell-through increased overnight from 34% to almost 60%. The additional pages quite literally enabled her to pay rent the following month.
Now that you've wrapped your head around the importance of back matter content to self-publish a book, it's time to make yours up-to-date. First, how do you even know what's expected of your back matter to begin with?
The Anatomy of High-Converting Back Matter
Let's break down each element that makes your back matter work hard for you.
- The "Also By" Section That Actually Works
Most authors include a basic list of their other titles. This passive approach leaves money on the table.
Try instead:
- Organize books into series or themes
- Provide short summaries (1-2 sentences) identifying each book's most compelling hook
- Employ visual hierarchy to lead the viewer's eye to your latest or most applicable title
For example, rather than:
Also by Author Name: Book Title 1 Book Title 2 Book Title 3
Consider:
THE MIDNIGHT CHRONICLES SERIES Night Whispers – When silence speaks, darkness listens... Shadow Dance – Some shadows move even when you stand still...
STANDALONE THRILLERS Cold Witness – She saw everything. Now they're coming for her.
This approach lists your titles while also selling them with mini-pitches that trigger curiosity.
- Strategic Book Excerpts
Excerpts fail when they're too long or lack context. Readers need just enough to create curiosity without overwhelming them.
Do this:
- Choose a scene with emotional resonance or strong setup
- Make it 3-4 pages long (maximum of 1000 words)
- Conclude with an intriguing question or cliffhanger
- Provide step-by-step directions on how to obtain the complete book instantly
It’s important the passage be self-contained. Someone who has not read any of your writing should know what is going on.
Mystery author James Patterson often uses the first chapter of his next book as the excerpt, ending right at the moment when the first major plot question emerges. This success does not end with the most well-known authors, either. One survey reported that authors who included a 1-chapter excerpt saw the highest increase in sales of their promoted book. This leaves readers desperate to continue, exactly the emotion you want to create.
On the topic of creating emotion, nothing does that better than when you create an authentic connection with the reader. The best way to do that is to strategically frame your author’s bio to relate to your audience.
- The Author Bio That Builds Connection
Most individuals believe the author bio is a section for credibility-building and industry expertise-establishing. A trophy wall, so-to-speak to showcase their most significant accomplishments. However, if written appropriately, an author's "About Me" page can actually make the author relatable to their readers. That is what creates the connection with your audience.
Effective author bios:
- Connect your own life experience to the subject matter of your books
- Include detailed personal information which makes you unique
- Insert a professional photograph that fits your genre needs
- End with a call to action for your primary platform
Consider this structure:
- Professional credibility (1-2 sentences)
- Personal connection point (1-2 sentences)
- Unique detail or interesting fact that readers will remember
- Clear call to action to your main platform
For instance, instead of:
Jane Smith is an award-winning author who lives in Chicago with her husband and two dogs.
Try:
Jane Smith left a decade-long career in forensic psychology to write thrillers informed by real criminal cases she worked. When not weaving murder mysteries, she rehabilitates rescue pitbulls—proving even the most misunderstood souls deserve second chances, a theme that runs throughout her work. Join her monthly "True Crime Behind Fiction" newsletter at JaneSmithBooks.com.
This bio creates multiple connection points and gives readers a compelling reason to engage further. But, once they have that reason to move forward… do they have the means to do so? It’s best to ensure that you have a clear call-to-action to lead your audience to your email signup.
- The Email Sign-Up That Converts
Generic "join my mailing list" invitations get ignored. Specific, valuable offers get action.
High-converting email offers:
- Provide a specific, relevant incentive (prequel novella, character interviews, deleted scenes)
- Create urgency or exclusivity ("Available only to subscribers")
- Make the signup process frictionless (short link or QR code)
- Set clear expectations about frequency and content
Consider the difference between:
Sign up for my newsletter!
And:
Get "The Midnight Confession"—the shocking prequel novella that reveals Detective Logan's darkest secret—free when you join my reader community. I'll send you new thriller recommendations and behind-the-scenes secrets twice a month. Text MIDNIGHT to 12345 or scan this code:
The second option answers the critical reader question: "What's in it for me?"
Regardless of your book’s content, length, or genre, having a strong lead-in to your contact information is crucial. But, certain aspects are genre-dependant.
Back Matter Strategies By Genre
While the majority of the strategies mentioned above can be used for all book types, there are certain strategies that function more effectively when working with a specific type of book.
Fiction Back Matter
Focus on emotional continuity and character connection:
- Add character interviews or "where are they now" updates
- Provide behind-the-scene glimpses of writing or research process
- Offer book club discussion questions
Nonfiction Back Matter
Build authority and demonstrate additional value:
- Offer implementation checklists or worksheets
- Provide companion resources on your website
- Offer certification or course details
Business book authors, for example, might end their books with a "Next Steps Worksheet" that helps readers immediately apply what they've learned. This turns passive readers into active implementers who see results and attribute their success to his guidance.
Series Back Matter
Maintain momentum and commitment:
- Show the complete series reading order with dates
- Include a timeline of events across books
- Offer "series so far" recaps for returning readers
Romance series often include a "Story So Far" recap to help readers who might have taken a break between books. This thoughtful addition removes barriers to continuing the series and shows respect for the reader's experience.
Speaking of the reader experience, its important to consider the book format when making technical decisions.
Technical Considerations
Your back matter needs to function across formats:
For Print Books:
- Provide QR codes to online materials
- Keep URLs short and memorable
- Consider phone-friendly alternatives (text options)
For Ebooks:
- Utilize active hyperlinks for every call to action
- Ensure links open in appropriate ways (new tabs vs. within-app)
- Test on other devices prior to publication
Now that you have a new set of tips for producing the best back matter you can, it's time to run a final check to make sure everything is okay.
Implementation Checklist
Before finalizing your back matter:
Ensure all links work and direct to current offers
Verify excerpts create genuine interest
Confirm calls to action are clear and compelling
Test all technical elements across formats
Review for typos (readers frequently note back matter errors)
Strategic back matter tirelessly markets your books while you slumber. Every reader who completes your latest work reaches a fork in the road. Your back matter dictates which direction they go, floating away or taking another step into your literary universe
Conclusion
When a reader finishes your book, they’re standing at a critical crossroads. One path takes them back to their daily life. The other leads straight into your next story, your next message, your world.
Thoughtful back matter is the signpost that points them in the right direction.
So don’t treat your ending like goodbye—treat it like an invitation to the next adventure.
Your readers have already said "yes" once by finishing your book. Make it easy for them to say "yes" again.
For professional book writing services and help with creating back matter that converts, schedule your consultation with our book marketing company today at authorsonmission.com
