Sheila M. Ryan ryanindexing@gmail.com 415-810-4858
Locating the information readers seek
It is the professional indexer's job to recognize key concepts in a text (whether explicitly or implicitly stated), to identify connections between concepts, and to separate substantive discussions from passing mentions of a topic. The indexer then synthesizes this information, writing appropriate entries and cross references so that all readers can quickly find the information they are seeking.
A well-written index adds immensely to the usefulness and potential sales of a text. Many readers will check the index when deciding whether to purchase a book. A poorly-written index (or the absence of an index) can greatly frustrate readers and may affect buying decisions. A professional index adds value to a text.
If you are an author who must provide an index to your publisher, consider the value of your time when deciding whether it is worth hiring an indexer. By the time page proofs are ready for indexing, the prospect of having to write the index can be burdensome. Hiring a professional removes the stress associated with producing a properly constructed and formatted index within time frames that are often very short. Professional indexers are accustomed to meeting detailed publishing specifications and tight production deadlines.
Copyright © 2007-2008 Sheila M. Ryan and Ryan Indexing
last updated 4/27/08