Q: What topics do you index?

A: My specialty is computers but I work on a diverse range, from German shepherds, to digital cameras, to rose gardens. Please ask about your specific needs.

Q: What are your rates?

A: Rates vary according to the complexity of the project.

Book indexes: by page of indexed material, according to page size, text density, and complexity.

Consulting: by the project or by the hour.

Training: by the hour, day, project, or number of attendees.

Q: How long does it take to index a book?

A: Ideally, one business day per 80 pages of proofs. However, tight deadlines are a way of life, so 150 or more per day is not uncommon.

Q: How much notice do you need to accept a project?

A: Four to six weeks is nice, but my schedules are flexible and it’s not uncommon to accept projects immediately.

Q: Where can I learn more about indexing?

A: ASI (American Society of Indexers)

Phone: 303-463-2887.
Web site: www.asindexing.org
Email: info@asindexing.org

Q: Where can I find an indexer?

A: Contact Infodex , or contact ASI and ask for a free copy of the Indexer Locator.

Q: Why do I need an indexer? Can’t the computer create an index?

A: To exactly the same degree that a word processor can write the book. Indexes are creative works, requiring human intellect and analysis.

Q: Isn’t full-text search sufficient?

A: Only to the extent that the reader searches for exactly what appears in the text. In essence, the reader has to know it’s there before looking for it, and even then won’t find synonyms or concepts not explicitly spelled out.

Computers can no more replace a human indexer than they can replace the author of the work being indexed.