LIST OF CONTENTS IN A TRANSFORMATIVE NONFICTION BOOK

list of contents

As you structure your transformative nonfiction book, whether it’s a self-help book, business book, life lessons book, or something else, here’s a tip: Don’t forget to keep a list of contents at the beginning of the manuscript in all drafts.

The list of contents (no longer called a “table of contents” but just “contents”) belongs at the beginning of your manuscript even before you begin writing chapter one. Why? Because you want to offer a roadmap to where you’re going.

Read More

MAKE CHAPTER TITLES ENGAGING (HEADERS TOO)

guide to make chapter titles engaging and headers too

Nonfiction authors typically start writing chapter titles that are as vanilla as can be, but ultimately, you want to make chapter titles engaging for the reader. At the same time, you don’t want your chapter titles to be so creative that someone looking at the list of contents (also known as the table of contents or just “Contents”) to …

Read More

HOW TO STRUCTURE A SELF-HELP BOOK: PARTS AND CHAPTERS

self-help book structure Define the Problem etc.

Writing a self-help book? Start with this structure: Define the problem. Give the history of the problem.
Explain what the reader needs to know before tackling the problem.
Offer an action plan. Expand outward with advice on how to apply the new knowledge and skills in the future, during especially challenging times, and when dealing with others (family, coworkers, community members) who are stuck in old patterns

Read More