Jigsaw Indexing
 
When I first became interested in the art of book indexing, I wanted to gather as much information as I could find.  Many of the books written on indexing were outdated, and the library I frequented didn't have much information to give me.

I began scouring the internet for any sources I could find.  I looked up any combination of keywords I could think of:  Book Indexing, Back of the Book Indexing, Freelance Indexing, Book Indexers...the list goes on and on.

By far the most useful source of information I could find was a large set of articles written on Suite 101.  Topics range from the definition of indexing to getting started in indexing to rates.  As someone who was interested in becoming an indexer, these articles were an integral key to my knowledge and understanding of becoming a book indexer and even today I will read through some of these articles or direct new indexers to them.  And while some of these articles are over ten years old, they are still a fantastic starting point for those who are interested.  Here is the complete set of the Suite 101 Indexing Articles.

Once I decided that indexing was a career I wanted to pursue, I signed up for a course.  I was already getting my Master's Degree in Library and Information Science, and they were offering a course on Indexing and Abstracting.  The course was extremely valuable in learning the skills and intricacies of indexing as an art.  Throughout the course, we used Nancy Mulvaney's book, Indexing Books and this is still a source that I use regularly while indexing.  Her book covers a wide variety of topics and is one I recommend to anyone interested in indexing or any current indexer.

Another valuable book has been the Chicago Manual of Style.  I believe you can purcahse the chapter on indexing separately, but I tend to look at other chapters and find that the full version is well worth the extra space it takes up on the bookshelf.

Last but certainly not least, the American Society for Indexing website is an incredible tool for indexers.  The site is very well organized (imagine that!) and has useful information for both members and non-members.  You can learn more about coursework in indexing, find other useful publications, discover other indexers, learn about special interest groups and a whole lot more.

Happy Indexing!
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Oftentimes, I scope out Twitter, Craigslist and the web for people looking for help and guidance when writing an index for their own book. 

I enjoy speaking with the authors.  They understand the importance of having an index and I love consulting with them and guiding them with the basics.  While I truly believe that nearly anyone can write an index, I find that a well-written index requires a trained professional.

Authors are often frustrated with writing their own indexes.  Many times they have spent years working on their book and feel overwhelmed with the task of writing an index on top of all their other efforts.  Other times, they don't even know where to begin.  An author may feel that they are unable to afford a professional index. 

Professional indexers have been trained to objectively analyze a manuscript, choose key terms, ensure that cross-references are made, synonyms are used when applicable, and in short - that the reader of your book can find the subject matter s/he is looking for.

I think a key point that authors (and publishers) must understand is that an index is a very strong selling point for many customers.  Having previously worked in libraries, I would give a strong reconsideration of a book with no index.  When searching for quality non-fiction, I would oftentimes see if I could read the index on Amazon before making a purchase.  I have spoken with many librarians, professors and students, and all agree that a quality index is vital.

So if you are an author who is burned out on your book, or someone who thinks they can't afford a professional indexer, think about the fact that a quality index will help sell your book, get your message out to your customers, and make your book much more profitable in the long run.
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