The back-of-the-book index has been a mainstay in the non-fiction book for well over a century as the most effective means for the reader to find the information he or she desires quickly without the time-consuming task of reading through superfluous information. As any reader can attest, an excellent index can enhance the reader’s experience (and thus his or her satisfaction with the book) while a poor index detracts from the book’s merits. After all, the index is generally one of the first things a serious reader looks at before buying or reading a book. If the index is sloppy, what will the rest of the book be like?
Some answers to common questions we receive about indexing:
Who hires you, the author or the press?
It varies. Often at the page-proof stage, the press will inform an author that they must make a choice — index the book themselves or hire somebody to do so. The press often has indexers whom it knows and with whom it works well. We work with many such presses. As a result, an author not wishing to be hassled with the index will simply allow the press to contract an indexer and the press will pass along the cost of the index to the author. But there is nothing to prevent an author from contacting us and hiring us directly; many do.
I’m an author and the press said I can index the book myself. I seriously don’t expect to make money off this book, why then should I spend my own money to hire a professional indexer?
There are a number of reasons to hire an experienced indexer independent of the obvious one: you don’t have the time, skills, or patience to accomplish the task yourself. First, the indexer reads the book as would a reader and builds the index for the reader, not the author. Second, the indexer is used to (and oddly enough enjoys) the tedium associated with the formatting, alphabetization, and overall organization of the index. Finally, the indexer regularly works under the publishing industry’s deadlines.
How long does indexing a book take?
Most indexes for most books published nowadays are completed in about a week to ten days, notwithstanding unforeseen circumstances. Larger books may take longer.
What benefits do you offer over other indexing services?
Many. First, I have a PhD in history. I understand academics, academic writing, and academic presses. In fact, I work almost exclusively within academia. Second, I return the index to the author/press with an errata sheet — a list of errors found in the page proofs — at no cost. The author still needs to proofread the work himself or herself, but very often the indexer finds errors, especially minor misspellings and transpositions, that the author misses. Many other indexers don’t provide such a service. Finally, I devote myself full-time to my business. Most other indexers do this part time while working other jobs, delaying projects and hindering quality. Other than the other publisher-related services I provide, all I do is watch European soccer, play with the animals, and shuttle my daughter to theater rehearsals.
How is price calculated and, ultimately, how much does indexing with you cost?
Ah, brass tacks. Pricing is negotiable based on a per-indexable-page rate. An indexable page is any page where material to be included in the index may be found. It always includes the text body, introduction, and conclusion. It may include other sections, such as endnotes and the preface, if such sections contain material germane to the book’s topic.
Do you have any examples and/or can I get references?
Absolutely. Examples of books I have recently indexed can be found by clicking “Recent Indexes” above. References will gladly be provided. Please request them using the form on the Contact page.
KnarrEDIT 