The Merriam-Webster Unabridged online dictionary defines an index as “a usually alphabetical list that includes all or nearly all items (as topics, names of people and places) considered of special pertinence and fully or partially covered or merely mentioned in a printed or written work (as a book, catalog, or dissertation), that gives with each item the place (as by page number) where it may be found in the work, and that is usually put at or near the end of the work.”
Readers find indexes of value in: non-fiction books of all descriptions, magazines and serials on all topics, procedural manuals, bylaws, web sites, catalogs, dissertations, etc. Often readers or other purchasers of books such as libraries will check the index before deciding to purchase. A well-written index can affect the sales of a book. Only a professional indexer has the training and background to read for pertinent information and pull together scattered information into major topics, providing appropriate references to related topics and using synonyms to provide multiple access points. Some documents need an indexer with specialized subject knowledge to accurately guide the reader to the information being sought.
The index is prepared last in the publishing process, as the document needs to be in its final form to provide accurate page numbers. By this point the author(s), although certainly expert in the subject knowledge, have been deeply immersed in the topic for a long time and are ready to move on to the next project. The wise author has engaged a professional indexer early in the life of the writing project, thereby avoiding the last-minute scramble to find a qualified indexer who is available as well as the stress of providing a well-structured index in the short time frames required by the publishing industry.
To prepare for your indexing project, first make some notes on the requirements:
- the number of pages to be indexed
- how you would like to deliver the items in your project (overnight mail, email a PDF, etc.)
- your due dates
- who is your contact person
- any constraints on the size of the index
- how you would like the finished index delivered back to you.
Contact The Pros From Dover, Inc. to begin the discussion for your project and its needs, the fees and timing, and what the next steps will be.
Updated 5/11/2010