TOC; is one required?

[T.L.]

Doh! Going from ebook to paperback (1st time ever!) & my proof just arrived. Yippee!!!!

[Christina]

In fiction, paperbacks don't usually have one. The exceptions I've seen have been children's and middle grade with chapter titles. Ebooks, it's helpful to have a tic so that readers can jump around as needed.

[Sam]

It is a good idea to include full TOC in all print books.
eBooks can get away with just "Chapters" without the detailed TOC.

[[deleted user]]

My first book has a TOC because I named the chapters. My second one has no chapter names, so I included a TOC in the ebook version for easy navigation, and none in the paperback because it was pointless. It's almost as easy to flip through to find a chapter number as it is to find a page number (note that I said "almost")

[T.L.]

Thank you.

Yes, the TOC is actually there because it was an ebook first and I just didn't think to change it at all. It does help with navigation in that format.

Where the chapters aren't titled it does seem a bit pointless in paperback to be honest.

(sorry; not all of my original post appeared!? I had expanded my thought process)

[Martin]

In fiction, paper print books, for sale on Amazon a TOC will get in the way of your preview pages, one of your best selling points.

Kindle like TOCs. They can contain hot links.

[T.L.]

Thanks Martin.
That settles it, TOC for the paperback can consider itself deleted (for paperback)! :)

Yes, the hot linked Kindle edition still has its TOC.

[Justin]

I added one for my first book of horror poetry so people knew where each poem was can go back and use it as a reference. It's not required but if your thinking about it ask yourself why and is it necessary.