Tips for indexing a book

Ive done about a dozen indexes so far, mostly for books and manuals i cowrote or edited, but a. One of the biggest differences between an index and. Thanks lonnie and big al most were never published, until now. I love to index books, because it requires intense thinking thats like writing in reverse. May 21, 20 tria yes, there is a sequel scheduled, and itll be on the same sort of model released chapter by chapter for kindle, since indexing was originallymore yes, there is a sequel scheduled, and itll be on the same sort of model released chapter by chapter for kindle, since indexing was originally commissioned for the kindle serials program, and is due for release bit by bit sometime this. Join me for this free recorded webinar, teaching how to index a book in microsoft word. As a part of the back matter, the index is found in the end pages of a book, and it can be a resourceful tool for readers who may be using the book in their research, or for readers who just want to read up on a certain subject. Document organization is a necessary evil, and a poorly designed indexing system can make things much more difficult than they need to be.

Linda fetters has written a book that covers indexing from the very beginning to the most sophisticated stagesit will help novices get started and then guide them to learn how to deal. This book was initially released in episodes as a kindle serial. Perhaps, technically, a very welltrained monkey could maybe do the job of indexing a book, but even the vaguely racist chicago manual of style 16th edition. We show you step by step how to index in a safe and. Here are 10 tips to help you better understand all the main principles of book indexing.

A book index is an alphabetized list of words and phrases showing the page numbers on which text on the subjects listed can be found. Invariably, when im contacted more than a month in advance of an indexing project, it slips to a. The socalled automatic indexing software programs being sold are simply not up to the task of indexing a book. Read the press release here best practices for indexing. Beginning tips and 23 ways to organize your genealogy. Ive done about a dozen indexes so far, mostly for books and manuals i cowrote or edited, but a few for books by other authors including seth godins linchpin, which i indexed on a whim. Another useful type of index is a cross reference index that usually comes in the form of see also unfortunately we cant create cross references in our index table using a concordance file, so we have to manually edit the index field by adding \t after the indexed word followed by the cross referenced word. In addition to practical advice, the book presents a bigpicture perspective on the nature and purpose of indexes and their role in published works. Nov 16, 2017 join me for this free recorded webinar, teaching how to index a book in microsoft word. Fine book and comprehensive overview for anyone thinking of making indexing of books, documents, edocs or ebooks their occupation, or part of their career. This book is a comprehensive description of the indexing process with many examples and tips for good authorpublisherindexer communication. For further information on indexing, and other aspects of manuscript preparation, take a look at our book authors resources here about the author author marketing, wiley. While not needed in novels or short books, an index is required for most textbooks, technical manuals and other books that contain factual information. An index is an alphabetical list of keywords contained in the text of a book or other lengthy writing project.

Getting started in ebook indexing for indexers digital. Its that sort of thinking that got me into this mess in the first place. Creating a book index by yourself is not impossible. May 19, 2017 document organization is a necessary evil, and a poorly designed indexing system can make things much more difficult than they need to be. Qb quote book another pocketsized notebook with quotes from stuff im.

Invariably, when im contacted more than a month in advance of an indexing project, it slips to a later date. Confessions of an awardwinning indexer by margie towery are now available for purchase from iti. Indexing started its life as a kindle serial, and it worked well read that way, with most of the chapters being selfcontained. If you get seriously into indexing youll need even more than fetters handbook though.

Nov 10, 2016 for further information on indexing, and other aspects of manuscript preparation, take a look at our book authors resources here about the author author marketing, wiley helen is a marketing coordinator working within the author marketing team for wileys global research division. Frequently asked questions american society for indexing. You have to invest everything you are into creating an important p. How to manage pen names for authors software, apps, and tips. Asis best practices for indexing guide is available to read or download here.

The hard part of writing a book isnt getting published. Book indexing involves a little bit of manipulating words appearing in a text, which computers can do, but also a lot of understanding and organizing the ideas and information in the text, which computers cannot do and will not do for. Kindle indexing, battery drain, and tips for loading lots of. Download your free copy of family tree magazines 23 secrets to organize your genealogy and start properly sorting, storing and archiving your family history research today. Indexing for ebooks means creating a traditional backofthe book style index familiar to all readers, where locators traditionally page numbers, are hyperlinked to their referenced passages within the ebook. Ill have to maintain a list of phrases manually as i write the book. One of the biggest differences between an index and a concordance is the organization of terms which allows the index to cover the books information in its entirety by a structured arrangement of interconnected headings, subheadings, and crossreferences. Each set has a volume number, and every volume has page numbers, so i can write, for example, tb1.

Indexing for ebooks means creating a traditional backofthebookstyle index familiar to all readers, where locators traditionally page numbers, are hyperlinked to their referenced. Dec, 2017 december, 2017 3 comments what is an index in a book. The index is typically placed at the end of a book. Ever wondered how a professional book index is created. The indexing chapter of the chicago manual of style covers the basics in some depth. Even readers who are enthusiastic users of indexes ask me this question. Professional book indexer joanne phillips shows its done. Have a script automatically insert indexing markup into the latex file. To make an index you must ask, for every passage in a book, if i were looking for this, what words would describe what i was looking for. So although book indexing is the traditional form of indexing, there are many possibilities now within the field, some of them very modern and involving digital media. I have used this book and recommend that all indexers include it in their personal libraries. Some indexers specialize in specific formats, such as scholarly books, microforms, web indexing the application of a backof book style index to a website or intranet, search engine indexing, database indexing the application of a predefined controlled vocabulary such as mesh to articles for inclusion in a database, and periodical indexing. Treasury inflation protected securities tips refer to a treasury security that is indexed to inflation in order to protect.

Like its predecessor, this edition of indexing books offers comprehensive, reliable treatment of indexing principles and practices relevant to authors and indexers alike. Some people like to put a marker around their indexed monthly logs to provide a better birdseye view. Book indexing cannot be added to once the book is full rotary, card, and strip indexing can be added to over time, and filed correctly within the index files lesson summary. Jul 06, 2018 josh bernoff, put together key tips for getting into the indexing mindset in his article the sublime joy of making a book index, which also includes his recipe for indexing. But it gives rise to the subject of lead time for indexing projects. You might foolishly think, as i did, that indexing a book couldnt possibly be that difficult. Indexing books as a career free mooc sylvia coates. Whenever changes to the book are needed, i modify the lyx version of the book. Pb pocket book a little tiny green notebook that i squeeze random ideas into and then put somewhere else. My colleague vanessa wells offers an honest and humorous glimpse into the.

Use the marked up latex file to print the final book. Kindle indexing, battery drain, and tips for loading lots of ebooks november 10, 2017 by nathan 12 comments if you get a new kindle and load a bunch of ebooks onto it at. An index is an alphabetized list of subjects and terms used and discussed in the book with their corresponding page numbers and is great to use in nonfiction books. May 01, 2012 the indexing chapter of the chicago manual of style covers the basics in some depth. Apr 10, 2020 treasury inflation protected securities tips. Alternatively, a thirdparty indexer can be employed at the authors expense. Qb quote book another pocketsized notebook with quotes from stuff im reading.

Book indexing for authors webinar learn how to index your. How to create an index table like a pro with microsoft word. Book indexing for authors webinar learn how to index your own. To make an index you must ask, for every passage in a. If youre writing a book and need to create an index, this article will tell you everything you need to knowfrom tips and tricks for identifying the best terms to. Nov 10, 2017 kindle indexing, battery drain, and tips for loading lots of ebooks november 10, 2017 by nathan 12 comments if you get a new kindle and load a bunch of ebooks onto it at once, dont be alarmed if your kindle suddenly starts running slowly or if the battery starts draining quickly. Blog 10 tips youd know before creating a book index. Feb 01, 1999 fine book and comprehensive overview for anyone thinking of making indexing of books, documents, edocs or ebooks their occupation, or part of their career. With over 100 projects from all over the world, you can find a project that helps you and others. There is an active community of indexers in cyberspace, bolstered by a professional organizationthe american society for indexing asi. Writing means thinking of an idea and creating content for it. A musthave for beginners as well as more experienced indexers. While the glossary defines specific words found in a book, the index merely tells you where to find them.

Indexing is convenient and vital to making the worlds records searchable online. The faq frequently asked questions has been compiled to provide basic information on indexing as a freelance career, and indicate some resources for further research. One of the biggest differences between an index and a concordance is the organization of terms which allows the index to cover the book s information in its entirety by a structured arrangement of interconnected headings, subheadings, and crossreferences. Latex supports the creation of indices with its package makeidx, and its support program makeindex, called on some systems makeidx. The indexing books as a career mooc is intended for individuals interested in exploring a possible indexing career as well as for authors and editors who work with indexers. In this article, i offer 10 steps for writing a book along with 10 bonus steps to getting your book done. There is a wealth of information on indexing, including books, workshops, webinars and training courses.

They also remind me, however, that an index may be best left to a pro with an objective eye to the work. Find free genealogy records online for tricks, hints and hacks to unlock new family tree discoveries. Treasury inflation protected securities tips refer to a treasury security that is indexed to inflation in order to protect investors from the. The words listed can be technical terms, places, persons, or multiple words. An a to z guide by janet perlman and ten characteristics of quality indexes. If after reading parts 1 and 2 of this series youve decided that a computer isnt competent to. When you index you help connect families by typing up historical documents so they can be published online. Kindle indexing, battery drain, and tips for loading lots. When ebooks and their associated ereader software were first developed, little attention was paid to the index. Book indexing is a vital job that professional book indexers do on a. Whether you currently have no indexing system in place or a struggling with a poorlyimplemented one, here are some of our best tips for setting up a document indexing system in your office. Ten tips to help you create a great book index index busters. Home forums general indesign topics indexing a book this topic contains 2 replies, has 2 voices, and was last updated by graham hobster 5 years, 11 months ago. Treasury inflationprotected securities tips definition.

Indexes areubiquitous in nonfiction books, yet people rarely stop to. This free ebook contains helpful guides to using the genealogy website, including a quick guide from the marchapril 2015 issue of family tree magazine. Everything you never wanted to know about indexing a book. Latexindexing wikibooks, open books for an open world. December, 2017 3 comments what is an index in a book. Indexing is new york times bestselling author seanan mcguires new urban fantasy where everything you thought you knew about fairy tales gets turned on its head. You can find my book on book indexing for authors on amazon at. Many of these tips were provided to me and my buddy joe by jeeptech when i was service managershop foreman at a jeep dealer from 1980 through 1992. All episodes are now available for immediate download as a complete book. It includes pointers to where those keywords or concepts are mentioned in the booktypically page n. Sign up here to get james pattersons tips for writing mystery novels and. Asi feels that the user should be able to browse the index when needed, and that a dead chapter that looks like an index in the back of an ebook does no one any good. The sublime joy of making a book index without bullshit. How to make a really good book index in word tck publishing.

It is right on time since im finishing up the 2nd edition of my nonfiction book. Click on your role below for tips, tutorials, mentoring and more. Especially useful in printed books, an index is an alphabetical list of words and expressions with the pages of the book upon which they are to be found. I value indexes, so ill definitely include one in my book. The vision is that search in ebooks can integrate with indexing, and that the indexing can inform the search, making it better and more productive. Book indexing involves a little bit of manipulating words appearing in a text. If even by a few days, this can cause quite a few problems see schedule, overcrowded, in the book of life. If you dont have a person in mind, you can contact either the uk society of. Josh bernoff, put together key tips for getting into the indexing mindset in his article the sublime joy of making a book index, which also includes his recipe for indexing. If youre considering indexing your own book, this article is a mustread. Fix any problems with manual editing of the latex file.