Indexing is a specialized skill that combines an unbiased, analytical and thematic thought process with great attention and care to detail. To develop an index, an indexer reads the whole manuscript with a high level of attention, always considering the “aboutness” of the text in that paragraph, on that page, and its connection to the range of readers the book might encounter throughout its life, and their purposes and needs.
An index is an essential piece of many non-fiction books. A great index is not only a list of the concepts, topics, names and places covered in the book, it is a conceptual map of the book. The goal when creating an index is to aid the reader, first and foremost, in finding the information they seek, the first time. An indexer has done a good job when readers feel curiosity or need immediately and seamlessly satisfied, rather than persistence or worse, frustration. A purpose-driven reader may even pass over a suitable book for their purposes if they cannot easily find what they are hoping for in a comprehensive and logically structured index. An index greatly increases the usability, and therefore, value, of a non-fiction book. Don’t let yours be caught without one!
Emily has been using an information user-centred mindset to organize and present information since high school, through formal training at Dalhousie University’s masters program in library and information studies and in subsequent work in environmental and recreation non-profits. She is delighted to join the indexing community, as it is such a satisfying, interesting and challenging mental work. She is committed to delivering a concise, yet comprehensive index, on time. She is also known for being a positive, clear and communicative person in working relationships.
Indexers are trained professionals who take a fresh, unbiased view of the text. From this vantage point, they are able to work on the readers’ behalf. And they are often able to see new conceptual connections in the text, and make them apparent to the reader. Professional indexers also have the experience of indexing a diversity of texts and can do the process efficiently and within a more predictable amount of time than in might take an author who has never attempted an index. Finally, a professional indexer has access to specialized indexing software that greatly streamlines the process.
Sweetfern, or comptonia peregrina, is a small shrub native to Nova Scotia and Northeastern North America. Interestingly, it is the only currently existing member of its genus. Its elegance, longevity and scrappy nature make it a standout plant. It smells great, and can be made into a tea. In these ways, it is connected to many of my favourite indexing subjects.
In order to assess whether I am a suitable indexer to index your project and determine a quote, I will need to know the topics involved, the type of manuscript it is, your timeline, the total length of the manuscript and a representative sample of the text to determine its complexity and density. So, write to me at emilylegrandindexing@gmail.com and we will get started!