Comments on: Is book indexing right for you? http://writerunboxed.com/2009/07/06/is-book-indexing-right-for-you/ about the craft and business of fiction Wed, 23 May 2012 23:52:59 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Ken Bolton http://writerunboxed.com/2009/07/06/is-book-indexing-right-for-you/#comment-119761 Ken Bolton Tue, 07 Jul 2009 14:42:21 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2009/07/06/is-book-indexing-right-for-you/#comment-119761 There is no real qualification standard but it does take some training in order to be a successful indexer. There are several courses offered, probably the most popular is offered by the University of California, Berkeley as an extension course. This course offers training in creating indexes, using indexing software, and running your own business. There is a lot of information about indexing as a career on the American Society for Indexing web site. Probably the most important qualification is extreme attention to detail. Entering information about hundreds of Russian (or Dutch or Arabic, etc.) names without making a single mistake is challenging. There is no real qualification standard but it does take some training in order to be a successful indexer. There are several courses offered, probably the most popular is offered by the University of California, Berkeley as an extension course. This course offers training in creating indexes, using indexing software, and running your own business. There is a lot of information about indexing as a career on the American Society for Indexing web site.

Probably the most important qualification is extreme attention to detail. Entering information about hundreds of Russian (or Dutch or Arabic, etc.) names without making a single mistake is challenging.

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]]> By: Lorna Suzuki http://writerunboxed.com/2009/07/06/is-book-indexing-right-for-you/#comment-119718 Lorna Suzuki Tue, 07 Jul 2009 01:39:34 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2009/07/06/is-book-indexing-right-for-you/#comment-119718 I learn something new every time I visit WU. Now that I know what an indexer does, I was just curious as to the qualifications for this position. I learn something new every time I visit WU. Now that I know what an indexer does, I was just curious as to the qualifications for this position.

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]]> By: Ken Bolton http://writerunboxed.com/2009/07/06/is-book-indexing-right-for-you/#comment-119703 Ken Bolton Mon, 06 Jul 2009 20:26:39 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2009/07/06/is-book-indexing-right-for-you/#comment-119703 It doesn't take the pleasure out of reading the book, it's just a different kind of reading. It's kind of like a slow, in-depth skim. If it's an interesting book, it makes for interesting skimming. And vice versa. It's a great way to broaden a reading base. I never would have read a book about alcoholism in Sri Lanka or the role of glamour in literature or the mating habits of lizards, but now I have. It doesn’t take the pleasure out of reading the book, it’s just a different kind of reading. It’s kind of like a slow, in-depth skim. If it’s an interesting book, it makes for interesting skimming. And vice versa.

It’s a great way to broaden a reading base. I never would have read a book about alcoholism in Sri Lanka or the role of glamour in literature or the mating habits of lizards, but now I have.

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]]> By: Kathleen Bolton http://writerunboxed.com/2009/07/06/is-book-indexing-right-for-you/#comment-119693 Kathleen Bolton Mon, 06 Jul 2009 18:15:45 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2009/07/06/is-book-indexing-right-for-you/#comment-119693 Livia, the last book my husband indexed was a how-to on chinchillas. He's doing a book on Russian soccer teams now. It's very random. Kristan, freelance book indexers are more cost effective for publishers. Sometimes the author wants to DIY, but they are so sick of their book by the end of the revision process, they hire an indexer. Suzanne, one word: YES. Livia, the last book my husband indexed was a how-to on chinchillas. He’s doing a book on Russian soccer teams now. It’s very random.

Kristan, freelance book indexers are more cost effective for publishers. Sometimes the author wants to DIY, but they are so sick of their book by the end of the revision process, they hire an indexer.

Suzanne, one word: YES.

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]]> By: Suzanne http://writerunboxed.com/2009/07/06/is-book-indexing-right-for-you/#comment-119682 Suzanne Mon, 06 Jul 2009 16:35:07 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2009/07/06/is-book-indexing-right-for-you/#comment-119682 I wonder if this takes the pleasure out of reading the book? Or if you even remember what you've read after looking so closely at specific words? I wonder if this takes the pleasure out of reading the book? Or if you even remember what you’ve read after looking so closely at specific words?

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]]> By: Kristan http://writerunboxed.com/2009/07/06/is-book-indexing-right-for-you/#comment-119675 Kristan Mon, 06 Jul 2009 14:39:21 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2009/07/06/is-book-indexing-right-for-you/#comment-119675 Oh cool, I didn't realize this was freelance work. I figured publishers had people in-house who did it. Very interesting! Oh cool, I didn’t realize this was freelance work. I figured publishers had people in-house who did it. Very interesting!

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]]> By: Livia http://writerunboxed.com/2009/07/06/is-book-indexing-right-for-you/#comment-119672 Livia Mon, 06 Jul 2009 14:18:29 +0000 http://writerunboxed.com/2009/07/06/is-book-indexing-right-for-you/#comment-119672 I bet book indexers would know lots of interesting facts about random subjects. I bet book indexers would know lots of interesting facts about random subjects.

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