Anyone here ever try their hand at indexing?

[mac56]

I work as a tech writer and got "drafted" to start writing the indexes (indices?) for my company's books. I read Nancy Mulvaney's book and the Chicago Manual of Style, and put together what I think are accurate and serviceable examples. And I actually enjoyed the process - kind of like completing a big logic puzzle - though my lovely wife thinks I'm even more of a geek now than before. Now I wonder if I could generate some income on the side by doing more.

Does anyone here work as an indexer? Any pointers for a newbie?

[redqueen]

1. Yep

Was a tech writer for about 2 years. Will NEVER go back. EVER.

[mac56]

2. wow -

Can I ask why?

[redqueen]

4. I got tired of everyone being mad at me!

The bosses were mad because nothing was on time. The engineers were mad because their work wasn't on time because I kept pestering them for information. The customers were mad because we didn't include a description of x (because the engineers working on x were too busy to explain it to me).

It was HELL. I love writing and wordsmithing, and do all my friends resumes and still work on proposals and such here, but as far as formally being in charge of producing a user or reference manual? FORGET IT!

Glad you like it, though! And I hope you stay away from places like the one I worked for. :)

[yardwork]

3. I'ts hard work but it can be lucrative.

The nice thing about doing this kind of free-lance work is that you can live anywhere and go anywhere with it.

It's not easy to break into, though.

[On the Road]

5. The Only Thing I Have Heard is the Following Anonymous Quote:

"It makes a smart person to write a good book. It takes a genius to write a good index."

As far as suggestions go, I think a lot of indexes simply look for keywords. I think the secret is trying to understand what people would look for in the particular book. One way might be to find a site on the internet on the same subject and conduct a backwards search to see who links to it. Just a thought.

[NJCher]

6. what little I know

A friend of a friend is an indexer in Maryland. All I know is that she is very protective of her work contacts and sources. I know she does make a regular living at it.


Cher

[TrogL]

7. Indexes reveal personality

I can't remember if it's in a Vonnegut or Harlan Ellison book, but one or the other claims an index will show you're gay, psychopathic and twitchy.

[mac56]

10. Vonnegut in "Cat's Cradle"

He introduces a character who is a professional indexer. She claims no one should ever create an index for his or her own book. Leafed through the history of the island of San Lorenzo, and instantly determined that the author/indexer was gay.

[displacedtexan]

8. I start by constructing a dictionary.

Then I delete dupes and irrelevant crap.
Then I sort.
Then I find relevant page numbers.
Then I x ref.

The jobs are usually part of publishing... 'production' is the job term.

[Book Lover]

9. Not an indexer, but one who hires them

If you enjoyed it, then you are off to a good start. I would start by searching the web for the indexer listserv - I am nearly certain I've heard it referenced in the copyediting listserv. I would also contact production services to offer your indexing services. As a general rule, I would not contact publishers directly, as few of us handle these tasks directly anymore.

Hope this helps.