Don't Allow Your Book Index to Undermine Your Book
Posted by
Ann Yager on Mon, Sep 19, 2011 @ 07:30 AM
Many inexperienced book authors often succumb to the myth that they have to do everything on their own. Having written their work alone, they feel that they have to carry it one step further and do everything else on their own as well. Having written the book they believe that they are only ones capable of indexing it. This is especially true when it comes to science-related books such forensics and criminology, but it is equally applicable to all authors.
Luckily this myth is easy to dispel. While the novice author believes that he or she alone is capable of developing a concise list of words and phrases that point back to relevant material in the book, the professional knows that it can be cost and time efficient to hire this work out to a specialist. As an author, you know the material but as a marketer you may not be aware of which terms and phrases will yield you the greatest results when people are searching for material.
Understand what a professional indexer can do for you. As a professional, indexers have experience with the search terms that people use when they are looking for substantive material. They know the ins-and-outs of information optimization and the best methods of arrangement. More than just a list of names and places, a well-done index is a map of the book itself, and the author can often benefit by following the insight of an experienced professional.
This is just one of the many often overlooked opportunities when promoting your new book. As a book author, you may not even be aware that such services exist, but they do. There are a wide variety of freelancers and indexing services that are available to suit your needs, regardless of the size and subject of your book. The professionals know your audience and understand how that audience would use an index to find the material they are looking for. More than building good indices, specialists understand what kinds of terms and entries make for a bad index and steer clear. They clarify the ambiguous, give form to the amorphous and often paint as much of an overview of the material as the book itself. Any book author can benefit from having a professionally crafted index.
Takeaway
Your book index can help your promote your book and increase your sales.
Book authors are often surprised to learn that their editors and publishers expect more than just a great book. Publishers often ask authors to create an index or find a book indexer. If you've never created an index before, it can be an unexpected chore.
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