\documentclass[11pt,openany]{book}
\usepackage[a4paper,margin=3cm]{geometry}
\title{A Short Book}
\author{LatexDesk Example}
\date{\today}
\begin{document}
\frontmatter
\maketitle
\chapter*{Preface}
This original example introduces front matter, chapters, and appendices.
\tableofcontents
\mainmatter
\chapter{Beginning}
Books divide long ideas into chapters, sections, and subsections.
\section{A clear structure}
Each chapter can later move into a separate file with \verb|\input|.
\chapter{Development}
Consistent headings and page numbering are handled automatically.
\appendix
\chapter{Supporting Material}
Appendices keep detailed material outside the main narrative.
\backmatter
\chapter*{About this example}
Created for the LatexDesk learning library.
\end{document}