Indexing for editors and authors : a practical guide to understanding indexes

At last-an indexing guide for editors, authors, and designers who need to create, edit, format, or evaluate indexes and work with professional indexers. Three experienced indexer-authors explain the various types of indexes, the characteristics of good indexes, and common formatting considerations. They share dozens of practical tips and more than 100 examples of good and bad indexing practices. Publishing professionals will not only learn how to edit an index, but how to hire freelance indexers and maintain successful editor/author/indexer relationships. While geared to the needs of publishing professionals who are not indexers, the book will serve indexers as a guide to navigating the publishing process and explaining indexing processes to their clients. Book jacket.

• Foreword p. v Dan Kirklin
• Introduction p. ix
• Chapter 1 What Is an Index? p. 1
• Chapter 2 Numbers and Types of Indexes p. 11
• Chapter 3 Characteristics of a Good Index p. 25
• Chapter 4 Index Style and Format p. 35
• Chapter 5 Index Length and Index Space p. 63
• Chapter 6 Author/Editor/Indexer Relationships p. 71
• Chapter 7 Hiring an Indexer p. 89
• Chapter 8 What the Editor Needs to Tell the Indexer p. 97
• Chapter 9 Editing an Index Without Tears p. 107
• Chapter 10 Electronic Files p. 119
• Appendix A American Society of Indexers Recommended Indexing Agreement p. 125
• Appendix B Additional Resources p. 131
• Appendix C Glossary of Indexing Terms p. 133
• About the Authors p. 137
• Index p. 139