Indexing is a solitary job that occurs at the end of a book’s publication process. It’s often rushed, with last-minute changes that can affect the content and pagination of a document. It can be pretty stressful at times, especially when the deadline is pushed up.

Although my project editors (the ones who assign the indexing projects to me) are always very appreciative and often the authors are too, it is really, really rare to get a thank you gift for completing an index.  So I was shocked and pleased to get this cute box containing an assortment of delicious brownies from an author I had just done an index for. It feels good to be appreciated!

I’m an indexer and editor who has been freelancing since 1993.  I get asked all the time, “What exactly IS it that you do,” from friends, family, and other people I meet.  An explanation inevitably produces variations of the following: a glazed look, bewilderment, pity, or sometimes, genuine interest!

So, that’s what this blog is all about: showing what happens in the somewhat interesting world of an indexer.

And yes, I do have to read the whole book!