Back matter is everything that comes after your final chapter. Readers reach it once the story is over, which makes it some of the most valuable real estate in your book — they've just finished, they're invested, and they're deciding what to do next. Good back matter turns a satisfied reader into a returning one. Author's Forge keeps these elements organized in a dedicated section so they export cleanly and appear in the right order, after your last chapter.
Available Back Matter Types
Epilogue — A final scene or chapter that takes place after the main story has resolved, often jumping forward in time. Use it to show where your characters land, hint at what comes next in a series, or give readers the emotional send-off the climax couldn't.
Afterword — Your reflections on the book, written in your own voice. Authors often use it to discuss what inspired the story, the research behind it, or the historical context that shaped events. It's a chance to step out from behind the narrative and speak directly to the reader.
Acknowledgments — Thanks to the people who helped bring the book into being: editors, beta readers, family, mentors, and anyone who supported the work. If you didn't include them in your front matter, this is the natural place for them.
About the Author — Your bio. Keep it relevant to the book and personable rather than a dry résumé. Mention your other titles, where readers can follow you, and a detail or two that gives a sense of who you are. This is frequently the section that converts a first-time reader into a fan.
Appendix — Supplementary material that supports the main text without interrupting it: maps, family trees, timelines, detailed explanations, or research notes. Fiction with complex worlds and non-fiction with supporting data both benefit from an appendix.
Bibliography — The sources you referenced while writing. This is essential for non-fiction and lends credibility, but it's also welcome in historical fiction where readers want to know what was real.
Glossary — Definitions of terms used throughout your book. Invaluable for fantasy and science fiction with invented vocabulary, technical non-fiction, or historical settings where period language might trip readers up.
Promotional Material — The "what to read next" section. List your other titles ("Also by this author"), include newsletter signup information, point to your website, or preview the opening of your next book. Placing this right after the story ends, while enthusiasm is highest, is one of the simplest ways to grow your readership.
Adding Back Matter
Right-click on the Back Matter folder in your book and select the type you want. Each piece you add appears after all of your chapters in the exported book, in the order you arrange them. As with chapters, you can drag items to reorder them.
What to Include
You don't need every type listed here — most books use only a few. At minimum, an "About the Author" page and a note pointing readers toward your other work pays for itself many times over. Beyond that, add what genuinely serves your reader: a glossary if your world demands one, a bibliography if you're making factual claims, an epilogue if the story earns it. When in doubt, ask whether the section adds value for the reader or simply adds pages — and cut anything that's only there out of habit.