[JulieM Posts: 844 Status: Offline WWW]

In an unsolicited submission to editors, would you provide all your references for the back matter's content as footnotes, or just keep the refs handy in case of later acceptance? Thanks for your help, oh wise ones!

[JodyJS Posts: 1,417 Status: Offline Preorder now! Out Jan. 7, 2020! WWW]

Hi Julie!

I think I'd include references as footnotes in really little font, so as not to interfere with the beauty of your words.

[RebeccaL-G Posts: 1,252 Status: Offline RA SCBWI Cen-Cal WWW]

I'd do footnotes or end notes, but definitely include them.  Editors that work in non-fiction will want to know you've done your homework. 

[Vijaya Posts: 8,651 Status: Offline LISTEN. Let all mortal flesh keep silence ... WWW]

Footnotes are a distraction, so I'd have one annotated copy and one clean with sources at the end. I'd send the clean one to the publisher and let them know you have the other.

Vijaya

[JodyJS Posts: 1,417 Status: Offline Preorder now! Out Jan. 7, 2020! WWW]

Since you asked about back matter, I assumed you meant information at the end of your manuscript. I'd only do notes on that last page, call 'em what you will.  :bunnyshake

[JulieM Posts: 844 Status: Offline WWW]

Yep, that all makes sense. Thanks very much for your replies!

[Jean Reidy Posts: 817 Status: Offline I love kids' books!! WWW]

Hi Julie - I recently did this for an agent and editor. I have a fiction PB based on a true story. I wrote an "Author's Note" at the end  of the story and did not include footnotes or sources. I kept them handy in my file though.

[JulieM Posts: 844 Status: Offline WWW]

Good to know. Thanks, Jean, and best of luck with your story!

[Debbie Vilardi Posts: 6,592 Status: Offline Language is so cool! WWW]

If this is a fiction manuscript, it suffices to mention your research and the availability of the information in your query/cover letter.