Back Matter

   Since we discussed front matter last week, it only makes sense to discuss back matter this week. Simply stated, back matter is what comes after the text...after "the end." Back matter can include appendixes, a chronology, endnotes, a glossary, a bibliography or reference list, a list of contributors, an index, a colophon, and an errata page. Just as with front matter, not all of these will apply to every book. All folios of back matter continue the Arabic numerals used in the text.
   Let's start with an appendix (pl. appendixes or appendices). When you need to elaborate on something within the text but such an elaboration will slow down the action, you need to put the explanation in an appendix. The explanation is not an essential part of the text, but it is helpful to the reader by providing clarification in some instances. Appendixes consist of texts of documents, long lists, survey questionnaires, charts or tables, etc. But BEWARE: an appendix is not a repository for "odds and ends" that you could not work into the text. An appendix will usually follow the last chapter of the book. When two or more appendixes are required, they should be designated by either numbers (Appendix 1, Appendix 2...) or letters (Appendix A, Appendix B...), and each should be given a title. They can appear in either the same type size as the text or in smaller type.
   Next comes a chronology, which is a chronological list of events that may be useful in certain books. If your story requires flashbacks, for instance, you may want to include a chronology. The same can apply to flash-forwards, such as in some aspects of sci-fi. If circumstances of your story happen at the same time for various characters in different places, you may need to clarify this in a chronology. WARNING: These techniques can be confusing to readers, so use them sparingly.
   Endnotes are most often used when books are created by multiple authors. In technical texts, the endnotes may have to be placed at the ends of the chapters instead of in the back matter. They generally appear in type that is smaller than the text but larger than footnotes.
   In order to make your book easier to understand, especially if it contains many foreign words or phrases or unfamiliar words, a glossary is a great tool for a reader. Words being defined should be arranged in alphabetical order, each on a separate line, followed by their definition. In some instances, especially with foreign words or words that have become obsolete in more recent speech (e.g., Old Norse), a pronunciation guide that precedes the glossary is a big help (considering that most people are not familiar with phonetic spellings and symbols).
   Then we have bibliographies and reference lists. Entire books have been published about the methods for writing these, so we won't be covering them in any depth here. In general, they appear in a smaller type size than the text, and they are usually presented in the flush-and-hang style (i.e., the first line of an entry is flush left, but each of the other lines in that entry is indented below the first line). Your publisher will give you the particulars about the chosen method(s) used by his/her publishing company.
   You may be only one of a group of multiple authors for your book, so a list of contributors will be a necessity in the back matter. Often only the volume editor's name appears on the title page, so the other authors are listed in the back matter (usually titled "Contributors") that appears immediately before the index. The authors' names are arranged alphabetically by last name, but the names are not inverted (e.g., "John James Doe" not "Doe, John James"). Following the names is usually a brief biographical note and academic affiliations. If only a small handful of authors exists, their names may appear on the title page, and a list of contributors will not be necessary. Their biographical data can be included on the copyright page.
   The index (pl. indexes or indices), or multiple indexes in a printed book, is usually set in two columns to a page and begins recto. It appears in smaller type size than the text. In a book with both name and subject indexes (e.g., a cookbook will often contain an index of the names of the dishes, and a second index will contain the ingredients used in all recipes), the name index should precede the subject index. Subsequent indexes begin either verso or recto. As with bibliographies and reference lists, there are way too many methods of creating indexes for us to cover them all here.
  An inscription, including the facts of the production of a book, is called a colophon. It is found on the last page of a printed book and is specifically designed and produced by the publisher. A logo is a representation of a colophon and is often used on the spine of a book where there is not enough room to include the publisher's entire name.
   Errata is a rarely used page, only appearing in extreme cases where misunderstandings can be caused and things within your work can be misconstrued due to a severe error(s) that is detected too late to correct in the normal way before the printed book is distributed. For instance, let's say you hired someone to contribute technical drawings for your book. Just before the book goes to print you discover that one of the drawings needs to be altered, but the artist unexpectedly died just days ago, and you cannot make the necessary changes. Therefore, you must relay to your readers that such an error exists and that the book was printed in a "bound-in-errata" state. The errata page must also appear if part of your book is photographically reproduced from an earlier publication and contains something that is capable of being misinterpreted by readers. The page should be included in the table of contents. There are certain rules that cover the setup of this page, and your publisher will be able to help you with this if the situation arises.
   So that's an overview of what needs to go into your book in addition to the actual text. Be aware that not all books will require such information, but if you book does need to include any of these items, it's important for you to ask your editor to fill you in on the particulars of your case(s). Don't allow your book to go to print without the necessary information for your readers. They will thank you over and over again for the info, and they will continue to buy your books because they recognize your expertise. Your readers deserve the best you can give them, and you deserve the kudos you'll get for publishing a book that meets all of the industry requirements.

From the Nose of Our Kayak: Chapter 9 Back Down Rock Springs We Go...This Time to Check Out the Scenery

Hello and welcome to the JLB Creatives Blog, where you'll find an array of creative features from a hand-picked group of creative geniuses. 

Wednesdays on the JLB Creatives Blog are set aside for our blog book, "From the Nose of Our Kayak." JLB Creatives CEO, Janet Beasley, and her husband, Don, have been kayaking for nearly 10 years. Together they are excited to share with you, their awesome experiences that they have encountered. In this Wednesday feature you'll find kayaking stories, scenic nature photography from their outings, and some helpful tips when it comes to maneuvering your "butt sleds" (aka kayaks) on your journeys.

So if this is a topic that interests you, you'll want to be sure and become a follower of the JLB Creatives Blog, and stop in on Wednesdays each week for the latest chapter in Don & Janet Beasley's adventure blog book, "From the Nose of Our Kayak." 

Previous chapters can be found in our blog archives. We began the series on June 1, 2016.

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From the Nose of Our Kayak
Don & Janet Beasley
Chapter 9 Back Down Rock Springs We Go...This Time to Check Out the Scenery

Don at the end of the Rock Springs Run
Wekiva Island pick-up destination

As we mentioned in our last chapter, we would be back to kayak the Rock Springs Run. And here we are, only a few weeks later. This trip happened on November 18, 2010.

You may be surprised that we get the beautiful colors of autumn here in Florida, but depending on your location and how the weather has played out, you could very well find yourself in a wilderness of all of the fall colors you long for...yes, in Florida!

We launched our Wilderness Systems kayak early morning, and decided to take our time now that we knew how long it actually takes to get to the pick-up point (Don and I have done the run in as fast as 2 hours...but that was paddling for exercise, not scenery). 

Before we even exited the canal onto the river, the fall leaves were showing themselves, dancing atop the calm water.

We reached Rock Springs Run and took a left, and entered the waters of the Wekiva Springs State Park. In no time we were thrust into all that nature had to offer on this gorgeous, blue sky, sunny, autumn day.

The water of the Rock Springs Run River is just as crystal clear as Silver Springs, but is much more shallow. The clear waters lure you in on a hot day, to dip your feet, stop and take a quick swim, or just gently glide down the river with your fingertips caressing the top of the water. 

Our first sighting was a Great Blue Heron. I never tire of photographing these majestic creatures on any river. Mother Nature pulled back the veil and allowed us to spot turtles, Phoebes, and a Great Egret. And as we rounded one bend, we accidentally startled a mallard duck. I was quick to rap off some pictures, including one of him taking flight from the water. 

Another amazing experience happened as we approached a large tree laying across the river. The large log came to a "V" in the middle of the river, dipping down to where the hardwood was somewhere around 2-3 feet above our heads. Much to our surprise, sitting in that very "V" was a hawk. The hawk allowed us to glide under him. We turned the kayak back around so we were heading against the current, and Don held the kayak steady while I took some of my most favorite photos to this day.

It wasn't long before we reached the "prairie" portion of the river and were greeted with Florida's fall colors. The foliage was stunning to say the least. The lily pad beds that lined the shoreline were still present, making for a fantastic contrast of colors. 

As we cruised across the shallow, crystal clear, liquid terrain we noticed a fish floating down river with us. The mirror-like water's top produced some of the best reflections we've ever seen. This feature was yet another luring tactic, by this river, tempting us to return in the spring and summer...we did, and we were not disappointed!

We've put together a short video (below) of a compilation of all the wonderful sightings we described above. We invite you to watch and enjoy the scenery just as we saw it on November 18, 2010 From the Nose of Our Kayak...

  

             

From the Nose of Our Kayak

Rock Springs Run, Florida November 18, 2010

Video created by: JLB Creatives

copyright 2016

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Kayak Tip of the Week: Just because the water is shallow and looks inviting, be careful...the riverbed can be soft (like quick sand) and the river's current can be stronger than it appears. If you want (or need) to exit your kayak to portage on the shoreline, beware of wildlife; in central Florida that can include alligators, snakes, bears, coyotes, and/or stinging insects to name a few. 

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