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Indexing Services

Sample Indexes

Background/ Qualifications

Editing and Writing

Jones Literary Services
Andrea M. Jones
719-214-1283
171 Wapiti Court
Cañon City, CO 81212

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The JLS Philosophy. A custom index is the final link in a chain of communication connecting authors to their readers. As a professional indexer, Andrea anticipates readers’ needs and, while keeping the author’s voice and intent in mind, creates a network of access points that helps readers quickly find what they’re looking for.

Andrea’s Background. As well as being a trained indexer, Andrea holds advanced degrees in Literary Research and Interdisciplinary Studies. She is familiar with a variety of subjects, and is adept at identifying a text’s key points from a variety of points of view. As a researcher, Andrea has a user’s appreciation a functional index. Having worked as an editor, she is detail-oriented and respectful of deadlines. And since she is herself a writer, Andrea works to provide indexes that uphold the integrity of the text the author has worked hard to produce.

First Steps. Andrea will talk with you about the specifics of your indexing project. She will go through a brief checklist, gathering information about the book’s content, the density of the text as it will appear on the page, the space available for the index, due dates, and index style and format. Based on this information, Andrea will develop a bid for your review, typically based on a per-page rate. Once you sign a contract or letter of agreement and send page proofs, indexing will begin. See the “JLS Keywords” section below for additional details.

The Indexing Process. Andrea starts by assessing the book’s content, identifying its central themes and familiarizing herself with the author’s vocabulary. As she begins to build the index in specialized indexing software, she will differentiate substantive references from passing mentions, gather related topics, and develop cross-references to ensure ease of use by the reader. The index is then carefully edited and proofread before being submitted according to your specified format. Take a look at a sample Index to see what a finished index may look like..

Communication is Key. During your initial consultation, Andrea will ask how best to communicate with you during the indexing process. This allows her to promptly notify you if she encounters discrepancies or typos in the text, or if she has questions about how you would like to handle a specific indexing issue. If you request it, Andrea can provide project updates as indexing proceeds.

Andrea’s areas of Specialization
Part of the fun of indexing is reading books on new topics, so Andrea doesn’t limit herself just a few topics. The following areas, however, reflect Andrea’s personal interests and depth of knowledge:

JLS Keywords
Audience. See Readers
Customized service
   Identifying the needs and expectations of clients is important at JLS. In addition to providing quality indexes, Andrea is    committed to responsiveness and professionalism.
Deadlines
  Your deadline is Andrea’s deadline. If you have a rush project, she may be able to accommodate you, but may charge a    higher rate. If, during your initial consultation, it is evident that the index cannot be completed on the timeline you require,    Andrea will decline the job and, if possible, refer you to another qualified indexer.
Delivery formats
  You specify the delivery format and file type for the final index. JLS can provide E-mail attachments or hard copies with    disks. Documents can be formatted in RTF, Word, or your preferred word processing program.
Fees. See Rates
Format
   Indexes are formatted according to your requirements. If you don’t have a style sheet, or are unsure of the best format for    the book’s content or the space available, we will discuss these issues during our initial consultation, and will agree on a    format before indexing begins.
Professional affiliations
   Member, American Society of Indexers.
   Member, Rocky Mountain Chapter, ASI
Rates
   Indexing rates vary, typically ranging from $2.00-$5.50 per page. Page rates are based on the complexity of the content,    the density of text, the space available for the index, and your deadline (rush jobs warrant higher rates). Postage and    printing costs may be added to the final invoice. Payment is due upon receipt of work, delinquent after thirty days,    whereupon late charges may apply.
Readers
  Each index is crafted with readers’ needs in mind. Andrea organizes and gathers references to key ideas, and anticipate   readers’ likely vocabulary choices—which are not always the same terms used by the author.