Indexes : Writing, Editing, Production

A new and enlightening approach to the fundamentals of back-of-book indexing. No other source gets to the heart of how an indexer converts the substance of the author's words and ideas in the text into keys found in the index. The emphasis is on methodology throughout, an element previously ignored in published discussions of indexing. An intellectual exercise—termed "thinking" indexing—is presented in depth: the process of extracting, then analyzing, and finally restructuring concepts from the text into meaningful index entries. Indexes also includes fresh approaches to problems of technique: procedures for indexing from galley, translations, index revisions, and multivolume indexes. Alternative formatting designs and styles are liberally illustrated with recommendations. Specialty indexing (for textbooks and reference works as well as all the disciplines) is discussed in terms of an author's organization and development of his thesis as it affects an indexer's work. A chapter on freelance indexing covers the essentials of a financially sound and satisfying business venture. A final chapter on computer-assisted indexing describes the development of the technology from its beginning. Here is a book that provides information essential to the indexer starting out and a pleasing refresher for the established professional.

Virginia S. Thatcher, in a career spanning nearly four decades, held supervisory and administrative editorial positions in both medical and reference work publishing. She has also provided freelance indexing services for major medical publishers and university presses.