I hope the answers to these most frequently asked questions will give you a better understanding of the Indexers role in the Publishing process and will also provide you with some basic information and resources to assist you.

What Is Indexing Anyway?

Simply, it's the organized arrangement of entries which enables users to locate information in a document. Creating an index is referred to as indexing and one who does the creation is called an indexer.

Who Does Indexing?

For a non-fiction book the responsibility, by tradition, is with the author. In truth, the job is usually performed by freelancers who are hired by the author, publisher or packager of the book. More often, the responsibility falls to the publisher, and the fee is deducted from the money due the author.

What Exactly Does An Indexer Do?

He/she compiles the index that a reader finds at the back of a book. Nonfiction books, manuals, and journals are much more valuable with indexes. A professional freelancer uses specialized knowledge and software to provide these databases to meet the readers' needs.

How Is It Done?

An indexer receives a set of page proofs (copies of pages as they will appear, which include the final page numbers). He/she makes a rough list by reading the page proofs. Some people mark the text as they read through before making entries; others read through first without marking.He/she then makes a list of headings and subheadings, and the location of each pertinent reference. After completion of the rough list, it is edited for structure, clarity and consistency. Then formatted to specifications, proofread and submitted in hard-copy form, either on disk, by modem, or by email.

Is It Necessary To Read The Whole Text?

This is essential for most texts though some simple texts may not need to be read right through before starting compilation. It is preferable to read once straight through to get an idea of the topics, then again when compiling if time permits. Most often, however there is not enough time to read through before starting.

Do You Have To Know About The Subject Matter?

Knowing the subject matter is certainly helpful because you will be more aware of the nuances and relationships between topics, but if you have a wide general knowledge you can index books on a variety of subjects. Specialist books, however, do require specialist indexers.

How Do You Decide What Terms To Use?

A professional can usually pick out words or phrases used in the text while working through it. It is part of the skill to recognize general topics and find appropriate wording which may not be obvious from the text.

Are Illustrations Indexed?

Illustrations such as photographs, tables and diagrams should all be indexed. It's useful for the reader to know that something is pictured or illustrated and sometimes information may be included with an illustration that does not appear in the text.

What Skills Are Required?

The skills needed to learn the trade, include excellent language skills, high clerical aptitude, accuracy, attention to detail and self-discipline. Curiosity and a love of books is also essential. Of course, as a self- employed professional you will also need business and marketing skills.

How Does A Freelancer Get Started?

Some people use indexing as a second career through which they can use expertise developed in another field. It may be combined with other publishing-related work such as copy-editing and proof-reading. One way to "break in" to the field is by becomming an apprentice to an established professional to build your skills and gain experience. On your own you can submit letters and resumes or make personal contact with publishers. Once established, you will be able to get jobs thru recommendations from satisfied clients, networking and some marketing effort.

What Kind Of Income Can I Expect?

As with any entrepreneurial business it all depends on you. It depends on your skills as an indexer, your business skills, your marketing skills and your motivation level. Be sure to hone your business skills as well as your indexing skills.

How Can I Learn To Become An Indexer?

Check with your local college or university for Indexing courses. The US Department of Agriculture offers a correspondence course for trainee Indexers as does The Society of Indexers. Also see our listing of Workshops and courses below.

Graduate School, USDA
Phone: 202-314-3670
TDD: (202) 690-1516
Email: Correspond@grad.usda.gov
Web: http://www.grad.usda.gov/
The Graduate School, USDA self study course is the leading source of training in the US. The courses were developed and taught by professional indexers, and allow students to progress at their own speed, working at home.

The Lodge
Sidmount Avenue
Moffat, Scotland DG10 9BS
Phone: 011-44-01683-220440
Contact: Ann Hall
Book Indexing Postal Tutorials (BIPT) is a correspondence course originating in Scotland. It consists of five tutorials, involving the compilation of indexes to short texts, chosen to represent most of the problems an indexer is likely to meet.

nSight, Inc.
10 Fawcett St.
Cambridge, MA 02138
Tel: 617-354-2828
Fax: 617-354-8328
Email: training@nSightWorks.com
Web: http://www.nsightworks.com
nSight, Inc. offers a comprehensive curriculum of interactive training workshops for communications professionals. Courses include Indexing Technical Documentation – Key Wording
A hands-on workshop covering writing and reviewing indexes for technical documentation. Study the nuts and bolts of page numbers, labeling, sorting, subentries, and cross references

New York University
SCPS Registration Office
P. O. Box 1206
Stuyvesant Station
New York NY 10009-9988
Tel: (212) 995-3060 or (212) 998-7150
Fax: (212) 998-7171
Web: http://www.scps.nyu.edu/
New York University offers a course in Freelance Book Indexing through their School of Continuing and Professional Studies.

Susan Holbert, Indexing Services
24 Harris Street
Waltham, MA 02452
Tel. (toll-free): (877) 408-7299
E-mail: susan.h@rcn.com
Web: http://www.abbington.com/holbert
Susan Holbert offers a 3-cassette video of an actual day-long workshop. Learn how to index, how to find clients and negotiate fees. Unlimited free telephone support!

Susan Holbert also offers a 2-day technical workshop called How to Index User Manuals and Online Help. This workshop is geared toward technical writers who want to improve their skills and practicing indexers who want to work for hi-tech companies. To attend a public seminar or schedule an in-house workshop.

Society for Technical Communication (STC)
901 N. Stuart St., Suite 904
Arlington, VA 22203-1854
Tel: (703) 522-4114
Fax: (703) 522-2075
The Society for Technical Communication Indexing SIG maintains a page of indexing events, including listings for workshops and annual conferences of interest to indexers.

STC occasionally sponsors two-day workshops, "Indexing Skills for Technical Communicators." providing writers and indexers basic training needed to develop user-oriented, quality indexes: analytical skills, attention to detail, familiarity with standards and guidelines. These follow a step-by-step approach with hands-on activities.

St. John’s University
Division of Library and Information Science
8000 Utopia Parkway
Jamaica, NY 11439
Phone: (718) 990-6200
Fax: (718) 990-2071
E-mail: libis@stjohns.edu
http://www.stjohns.edu
St. John’s University, New York City occasionally offers Professional Development Seminars taught by Dr. Bella Hass Weinberg, Professor, Division of Library and Information Science.

Handouts, audiotapes, and videotapes of the seminar are available. The prices are $15, $45, and $75, respectively, and include postage for U.S. shipments. Foreign postage is additional. Any combination of materials may be ordered. Prepayment is required, with a check made payable to St. John’s University and mailed to the above address.

Allex Indexing Services
Provides freelance book indexing services to publishers, authors, and packagers. Indexes your way, on time!

Clive Pyne Book Indexing Services
Clive Pyne provides professional freelance services for publishers, authors and editors

Diane Brenner Indexing Services
Indexing since 1981, Diane Brenner offers back-of-the-book and embedded indexing, medical database, photographic image, and keywording.

Kingsley Indexing Services
Provides high-quality indexes to the publishing industry and individual authors.

Schroeder Indexing Services, Inc.
Creates indexes for books and periodicals using human skills combined with dedicated indexing software to produce a superior index on deadline.

Wright Information Indexing Services
Wright Information provides indexes in whatever format you need.