Work Process

 

I would love to hear about your project! Please contact me 4-6 weeks before your page proofs are set to be ready, as I can only index the very final typeset pages.

In your email, please tell me about:

  • the topic, description and audience of your book

  • estimated number of pages or words

  • anticipated date of page proofs being ready

  • date the index is due to the publisher

  • if you want to review the index and go back and forth with me before it is due to the publisher

This will help me know if I can fit your project into my schedule, and whether I am an appropriate indexer for your book. Then, in order to give you a quote, it helps a lot if you share at least a sample chapter and the table of contents, preferably the whole book, and if you have a sense of how dense or detailed you want the index to be.

Typical indexing rates are by the indexable page or per 1000 words of manuscript rather than by hour or by entry. This allows both the publisher or author and the indexer to know how much a project will cost. My academic rates fall between $CAD 6- 7.50 per typeset indexable page, depending upon the type of material, the physical and thematic density of the text, the complexity of the ideas and the size of the page. If extra tasks or changes to the final index beyond 2 hours are requested during the project, those will be quoted using an hourly rate of $45 per hour.

If we decide to work together, then we’ll need to discuss

  • what the indexable material for your book will be- figure/photos, footnotes etc?

  • any publisher style guidelines, including indented or run-in format, the number of columns for the index, font style and size, alphabetizing style and so on

  • the amount of space for the index, and the density of indexing

  • final file format of the index to deliver

Then you’ll send me the final page proofs, and pick a due date that will give you a few days to review my work. I use special indexing software, and it is easier for me to make changes from within the software. If page proofs are delayed, let me know so I can adjust my schedule or let you know if I am no longer available.

While indexing, I’ll be in touch if I have questions.

When I send the final index, please review it and let me know if you have comments or changes to make. I will make up to 2 hours worth of changes and after that I will track my time for an hourly rate of $CAD 45 per hour.

I’ll send an invoice upon completion of the index, and look for your payment within 30 days.