An index could be the thing your book is missing. Take a look in a library or bookstore and you will find few nonfiction books that don't have indexes. That's because publishers know how important the presence of an index is to readers - and therefore how vital it is for sales. Indies often don't realize this - and miss out on potential sales and potential good reviews. A book index is like a guidepost or map for your readers. It tells them what to expect from your book, where to find topics that interest them, and - importantly - what isn't in the book. This means that it reduces the chances of poor reviews and increases the chances of positive reviews. An index helps usability, which makes it more useful to readers.If you are an author thinking of creating your own index, you're in good company. There is quite a precedent for author-indexes (especially in the world of academia, where subjects are so specialist that it's hard to find a professional indexer with relevant experience). This book will guide you through the process and show you how to do it yourself in Microsoft Word. (Sorry, no Mac instructions.) This book is for you if... You need easy-to-understand instructions on how to create your own index for a non-fiction book using Microsoft Word; Your [traditional] publisher is insisting on an index and expecting you to pay for it; You don't have a big budget; You aren't a computer or publishing expert; You don't want to spend weeks (or months) learning how to index. This book is not for you if... You need an in-depth, theory-based book. Many people like the jump-right-in, workbook approach. You are looking for something to help you become a professional indexer, or to win indexing awards. Most professional training courses and organizations often recommend Nancy C. Mulwary's Indexing Books. Also check out the American Society of Indexers (ASI) - www.asindexing.org - and other professional and standards organizations in other countries. You can find courses on indexing in local colleges, as well as online. If you do buy this [print] book, you will have the opportunity of joining the forthcoming online course based on it - free of charge. You will be able to ask questions, receive help, and see in real-time what the creation of an index involves.

IS YOUR NONFICTION BOOK MISSING SOMETHING? An index could be the thing that sets your book apart. Take a look in a library or bookstore and you will find very few nonfiction books that don't have indexes. That's because publishers know how important the presence of an index is to readers - and how vital it is for sales. Often, indies aren't aware of this & they miss out on potential sales and reviews because of this. An index is like a guidepost or map for your readers. It tells them what to expect from your book, where to find topics that interest them, and - importantly - what isn't in the book. This means that it reduces the chances of poor reviews and increases the chances of positive reviews. An index helps usability, which makes it more useful (and review-worthy) to readers. If you are an author thinking of creating your own index, you're in good company. There is quite a precedent for author-indexes (especially in the world of academia, where subjects are so specialist that it can be hard to find a professional indexer with relevant experience). This book will guide you through the process and show you how to do it yourself in Microsoft Word. (Sorry, no Mac instructions.) This book is for you if... You need easy-to-understand instructions on how to create your own index for a non-fiction book using Microsoft Word. It doesn't include instructions/screenshots for working in Word for Macs or Adobe InDesign; You don't have a big budget; You aren't a computer or publishing expert; You don't want to spend weeks (or months) learning how to index.

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.

At lastan 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 over 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.

How to get started in web indexing, embedded indexing, and other computer-based media.

Indexing: A Practical Guide for Technical Writers is a nuts-and-bolts guide to indexing. It explains in plain language and by example exactly how to index any type of print or online publication quickly, easily, and effectively. The sequential indexing method presented in the book has been battle-tested in high pressure publishing organizations in a variety of high-tech industries over the space of a decade. Because it is based on real-world success, this indexing method is bulletproof. Users of this guide will succeed as an indexer. Unlike other books on the subject, this book is focused on readers, not the subject itself. The book speaks directly to highly practical and often anti-academic technical writers who demand usability, reusability, and reliability. It is geared to people with ""Keep It Simple, Stupid"" signs on their cubicle walls.Proven end-user documentation techniques are employed to present proven indexing methods to readers who themselves develop end-user documentation for a living. They have zero tolerance for academic white papers on indexing. So, the book delivers the hard facts.

Since 1994, Nancy Mulvany's Indexing Books has been the gold standard for thousands of professional indexers, editors, and authors. This long-awaited second edition, expanded and completely updated, will be equally revered. Like its predecessor, this edition of Indexing Books offers comprehensive, reliable treatment of indexing principles and practices relevant to authors and indexers alike. In addition to practical advice, the book presents a big-picture perspective on the nature and purpose of indexes and their role in published works. New to this edition are discussions of "information overload" and the role of the index, open-system versus closed-system indexing, electronic submission and display of indexes, and trends in software development, among other topics. Mulvany is equally comfortable focusing on the nuts and bolts of indexing—how to determine what is indexable, how to decide the depth of an index, and how to work with publisher instructions—and broadly surveying important sources of indexing guidelines such as The Chicago Manual of Style, Sun Microsystems, Oxford University Press, NISO TR03, and ISO 999. Authors will appreciate Mulvany's in-depth consideration of the costs and benefits of preparing one's own index versus hiring a professional, while professional indexers will value Mulvany's insights into computer-aided indexing. Helpful appendixes include resources for indexers, a worksheet for general index specifications, and a bibliography of sources to consult for further information on a range of topics. Indexing Books is both a practical guide and a manifesto about the vital role of the human-crafted index in the Information Age. As the standard indexing reference, it belongs on the shelves of everyone involved in writing and publishing nonfiction books.