When you’re preparing to self-publish a book, one of your very first tasks is to add a table of contents.
But do you really need a table of contents for your new book?
Perhaps not, because it’s not a necessity for every genre. It depends on the type and version of your book and sometimes on readers’ expectations.
Before you jump in and create and format a table of contents (TOC) because you think you have to have one, you might want to reconsider.
Do fiction novels need a table of contents?
No, it’s not a necessity with fiction books, and in some cases, it can even be detrimental.
Yes, a TOC can help a reader navigate a novel, but it depends on how you use your chapter titles.
If your chapters are simply numbered, such as Chapter One and Chapter Two, there is probably little additional value in a TOC for a reader.
However, if your chapter titles are descriptive of the storyline, you might be giving away your story before it even begins.
For a novel that uses chapters as linked stories that perhaps could stand alone, a TOC might offer some practical advantage.
A fiction novel is usually read from Chapter One to the end in page order.
That’s a decidedly different way of reading when compared to a reference or nonfiction book, which can often be read in parts.
For any work of fiction, creating and including a TOC is always a choice.
It can be useful if it helps a reader understand where the story will lead before they begin.
But be careful not to give the game away.
When does a book need a table of contents?
Most nonfiction, reference, or instructional books will need a table of contents.
Unlike fiction, these types of books are not always read in full and are often used as sources of information.
Perhaps only some parts of a book may interest a reader, and a TOC can help them quickly locate the information they want.
It is also useful if a reader returns to the book later to find a specific topic.
For some types of nonfiction and reference books, creating an index is an additional option.
An index takes much more work than a TOC, so you need to be sure that it’s accurate and useful, and consider whether it’s even necessary.
But if your book is of a scientific or academic nature, an index can be particularly useful and, in some cases, essential.
Other books that often benefit from a TOC are collections, compilations, and memoirs.
Anthologies and compilations are usually a single volume containing a written or curated selection of short stories, poems, or essays by one or more authors.
For these types of books, a table of contents is often a must. It might even need a hierarchical format.
Memoirs are also a genre that often has a table of contents.
If the book is written in distinct chronological parts or has thematic elements, it can make sense.
However, if it’s purely narrative in flow, similar to a novel, you can choose whether or not to include a TOC.
While there might be a few exceptions, all of these types of books usually include a table of contents.
Does an ebook need a table of contents?
After everything you’ve just read, this point has a much simpler answer. Yes, you need a TOC in almost any ebook.
The main reason is that ebooks don’t have conventional page numbers, so a table of contents provides an easy way for readers to navigate between sections.
Many readers go back to an earlier part of the story if they’re unsure or want to check something.
And even though most ebook reading devices return to where a reader left off, that won’t help if they jump to another book between reading yours.
Think of a TOC as a list of jump links, similar to the blue links you use on the web.
Even if your chapters are only numbers, it is still essential for navigation.
The one positive about a table of contents in an ebook is that you don’t even need to create one.
All you have to do is make sure your chapter headings use the correct heading style in your manuscript, such as Heading 1 or Heading 2. (Amazon KDP recommends Heading 1.)
Many ebook creation and publishing tools can create a TOC automatically from your headings.
If you’ve created a table of contents for your print book, paperback, or hardcover, don’t use that in your ebook version.
For the ebook, create a copy of your manuscript and remove the printed TOC page.
If your headings are correct, a new one will be created automatically when you publish with Amazon, Draft2Digital, and most ebook publishing services.
For fiction books that don’t have a TOC in the print version, you’ll need to make sure your chapter headings work for an ebook version.
If your chapters only have descriptive titles, you can add numbered chapter headings above them.
For example, you could use Chapter One as the main heading, followed by your existing descriptive title as a subheading.
It’s also worth noting that audiobooks can have chapter navigation. This allows listeners to move between sections in much the same way that an ebook TOC lets readers navigate.
What about short books?
This question really has a yes, maybe, or no answer.
If it’s a poetry book or short story collection, yes, it’s a good idea.
But if it’s under 75 pages and contains only one unchaptered story, there’s little to include in a TOC.
For short and very short books and ebooks, use your judgment.
If you can list sections of your book, then you could consider including one.
Summary
If you’re a new author, you might be under the impression that a table of contents is a must for your new book.
But that’s not the case at all. It all depends on the type of book and how practical it is for readers.
I’ll leave you to decide, but here’s a final quick reference tip.
Fiction novels: Optional.
Nonfiction: Usually yes.
Reference/how-to books: Usually yes.
Ebooks: Almost always.
Short books: Often unnecessary.
Related Reading: Format Ebook Chapters To Start Halfway Down A Page
English teacher, writer, and author. Passionate about grammar, creative writing, and self-publishing. Always exploring new tools and tech to help writers succeed.
