The indexer's role

Indexing is one of the last tasks undertaken on most publications but also one of the most important. An excellent text without an index, or with a substandard index, can be almost useless. This means that the indexer is one of the most important individuals in the editorial team. I am able to offer all of the following types of indexing. I have worked for both editors and authors.

The indexer's role sounds simple but is actually intellectually challenging and time-consuming, especially when complex, advanced-level texts are involved. For a traditional back-of-the-book index, a typical method of working would be as follows: 

• liaise with editor with regard to style points, levels of subheading required, space constraints etc
• check proofs are complete
• read text section by section, marking up indexable elements and inputting into indexing program
• raise any queries with author/editor
• edit index, adding cross-references and subheadings where appropriate and cutting length if necessary
• check and proofread
• write introductory note if required.

Legal-tabling is a different type of index. Legal tablers produce indexes of cases and legislation which appear at the front of academic legal texts. They must include every citation of cases and statutes.

Cumulative indexing involves added dimensions. Because such indexes are developed over time, as new issues of a publication are produced on a regular basis, the indexer has to take care to ensure that the index is consistent from issue to issue and that any discrepancies between authors are adequately dealt with using cross-references and double entry.

For examples of my recent indexes, follow these links: 

• Conceiving Life: Reproductive politics and the law in contemporary Italy (2007) P Hanafin, Ashgate
• The World of Maria Gaetana Agnesi, Mathemetician of God (2007) M Mazzotti, Johns Hopkins University Press
• Sexuality and the Law (2007) V Munro & S Stychin, Routledge-Cavendish
• Realising Sytems Thinking: Knowledge and action in management science (2006) J Mingers, Springer
• Family Procedure (Adoption) Rules (2005) The Stationery Office
• Socio-Legal Newsletter (2002–present) 

top