Why Do I Need an Indexer?
A professional indexer can greatly augment the value of a book by providing the reader with an excellent roadmap to the knowledge within the book. A professional indexer is trained in matters of style preferences and has a well-honed eye for important ideas and information. A professional indexer is trained to consider the needs of the reader in the matter of keyword selection. A professional indexer can help make the difference between a well-loved and often-used reference book and a forgotten work sitting in a dusty pile at a rummage sale.
What Will the Indexer Ask Me?
A great index is a work of art composed of many different aspects. In order to create such an index, the professional indexer will ask you questions about the style of the index desired, the type and size of the work being indexed, the intended audience, and the due dates for both the page proofs and the finished index. Both parties need to understand the details regarding index specifics, for example, format, alphabetization, and the structure of page ranges. Cross-references need to be considered and a format decided upon, as well as what material is not to be indexed. Lastly, details regarding length and depth limitations need to be understood by both parties. If your company has a preferred style the indexer needs to know and should be provided with either a sample or a style guide.
