Nailing Your Book’s Table of Contents: Why It Matters and How to Do It Right
A Table of Contents is a guide for readers, and they use it more than you'd think.
A book’s table of contents (TOC) is a section self-publishing writers overlook the most, but that’s a big mistake. A TOC is meant for the readers, and it helps them navigate your work. But what makes a TOC good, and how can you develop one that seamlessly guides readers through your work?
Today, we’re covering what a TOC is, which books need one the most, the correct layout, and more.
What Is a Table of Contents?
A TOC is your book’s list of chapters, sections, or other parts found in your book. Typically, it’s placed at the beginning of your book—after your dedication page and before an Introduction section. A TOC is a roadmap to your work and it tells readers exactly how to find specific information and what they can expect from your book.
Why Is the Table of Contents Important in a Book?
A TOC is important for reasons you may not have thought about, here are three:
1. It’s a navigation tool: A well-organized TOC makes it easy for readers to quickly find what they’re looking for.
2. It shows your book’s structure: A TOC shows a bird’s eye view of your book’s material, which can help readers understand how different chapters fit together.
3. It increases the perceived value of your material: A professional-looking TOC can make your book look more polished, which may lead to higher sales and better reviews.
What Genres Should Have a Table of Contents?
Not every genre needs a TOC, specifically fiction novels don’t typically include them. There are certain genres, however, that should always include a TOC. These include:
1. Nonfiction books: Chapters of nonfiction books are arranged in a specific order, so a TOC can help readers navigate the content.
2. Technical books: These books discuss a lot of detailed information, so a TOC helps readers quickly find what they’re looking for.
3. Textbooks: Textbooks would be a mess without a TOC, so a well-designed TOC is important for helping students (and teachers) find the information they want.
The Correct Table of Contents Layout
A well-designed TOC needs a clear hierarchy of headings and subheadings. Here are some guidelines to follow when creating your TOC:
1. Use a consistent format: Your TOC should use the same font, size, and style as the rest of your book. This helps create a cohesive look and feel.
2. Use clear, descriptive headings: Each heading in your TOC should accurately describe the content that follows. Avoid vague or overly broad headings.
3. Use proper hierarchy: Your TOC should use a clear hierarchy of headings and subheadings. For example, if you have three levels of headings in your book, your TOC should reflect this hierarchy.
4. Show page numbers: When your book is published, it should include page numbers for each heading, making it easy for readers to find what they’re looking for. But there is one exception when it comes to page numbers.
3 Examples of Good Table of Contents Pages
Here are three examples of well-designed TOCs that can inspire your own:
1. The Lean Startup by Eric Ries: This TOC uses a clean design with simple headings. The use of italics and bolding helps create a hierarchy.
2. The Elements of Style by William Strunk Jr. and E.B. White: This TOC uses a more traditional design that includes a hierarchy of headings and subheadings. The use of all-caps for the main headings helps them stand out.
3. The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo: This TOC uses a playful design that matches the style of the book. Icons and some illustrations create visual interest.
Why You Shouldn’t Add Page Numbers Before Typesetting
It’s so tempting to add page numbers to your TOC before the book is typeset, but this can cause problems. Here’s why:
1. The page count may change: If you make changes to your book’s word count, trim size, or formatting, the final page count may change, which will make your TOC inaccurate.
2. Page numbers may be incorrect: If you add page numbers before typesetting, they will be incorrect once your book is laid out in your selected trim size.
3. It can create extra work: If you add page numbers before typesetting, you may need to go back and manually update your TOC once you know your final page numbers.
Final Thoughts
A well-designed TOC is an important section for a lot of books because it helps readers navigate your content. By following the guidelines we’ve outlined, you can create a TOC that best serves your readers and enhances the perceived value of your book.