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Frequently Asked Questions
If you have a question you'd like to ask, please email me: Tracy.
Q: I thought computers generated book
indexes--don't they?
A: Computers can do amazing things, but generating back-of-the-book indexes isn't among them.
The task of creating an index is complex. An indexer must:
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Identify information not explicitly stated. Mention of "parsley" in a healthful cookbook might generate an index entry under "vitamins", "vitamin B", "herbs", "garnishes", or "health". Or no entry at all. Computers aren't yet savvy enough to understand which words belong in an index, nor how they are related to other concepts.
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Understand what should not be indexed. This is not as simple as you might think! For example, in a non-fiction book on managing rental property, one might find "The tenant was a pig. A real pig." It would be difficult for computer software to recognize there shouldn't be an entry in the index for pig, with cross-references for "hog" and "swine".
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Understand synonyms readers might search under (for example, looking up "hog" or "swine" instead of "pig").
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Meet the requirements of the client. When a client specifies an index of no more than so many lines, or so many pages, the indexer needs to decide which entries to cut, which to consolidate, and how to create the best possible index within the parameters the client specifies. Again, computer software would be challenged to make these decisions.
Indexing software aids indexers in their jobs, but computers cannot create an index without a human at the wheel.
Q: I'm an author, how hard would it be
for me to create my own index?
A: That depends.
Certainly, you know your subject. You understand which concepts in your book are important. You are passionate about your topic and care about the quality of your book.
However, if you are at the point where you are considering creating your index (e.g. your work is complete), aren't your eyes now glazing over when you re-read your manuscript? Be honest!
To create a high-quality index for your work, you'll need to review it from a fresh perspective. You'll need to look at it as if you've never seen it before.
Why not hire someone to do that for you? A professional indexer will look at your book with the same bright-eyed enthusiasm you had when you started writing it. From that fresh perspective. And with the same attention to quality and accuracy.
Yes, you can write your own index... But to write a good one will be painful. Better for you to be writing your next book!