Request for help: how to do a book index?

[Flybrick]

I have to do an index for my forthcoming book.

When I did an index for my first book, it was soooo tedious because I started at the front and grabbed each noun or reference that I thought should be in the index and then did a "find/edit" search.

Is there a better, less painful way? A google only came up with professional services; haven't been to the library yet.

Any literary and/or more experienced types with some tips?

[Catfish]

There are software programs for indexing: http://www.asindexing.org/site/software.shtml, but the cost and the time spent learning it may make it worth it to hire a professional.

The Chicago Manual of Style (readily available at bookstores) has a chapter on indexing. That may be a good place to start.

Here's the general link to the American Society for Indexing: http://www.asindexing.org/site/index.html, where you will likely be advised to hire a professional.

I'm a copy editor, and in watching exchanges on my editorial boreds, I've learned that far more goes into creating an index than meets the eye.

Congrats on the book! Good luck!

Love,

[Flybrick]

C-fish, thanks for the reply. The sites and professional recommendations, i.e. $$$ is what I'm hoping to avoid, but to do so, it looks like I'll have to slog through and do it myself the hard way.

I'd forgotten about the Chicago Style manual chapter. I'll look at it when I get home.

Cheers,

brick

[TheCalvinator24]

I wish the legal books we use had better indexes. Often, there will be no entry for some pretty obvious stuff. In those cases, I have to start trying to think like someone who creates indexes as opposed to thinking like a lawyer.

[Bob Juch]

I wish the legal books we use had better indexes. Often, there will be no entry for some pretty obvious stuff. In those cases, I have to start trying to think like someone who creates indexes as opposed to thinking like a lawyer.

You still use books?

[TheCalvinator24]

I wish the legal books we use had better indexes. Often, there will be no entry for some pretty obvious stuff. In those cases, I have to start trying to think like someone who creates indexes as opposed to thinking like a lawyer.

You still use books?

There are many times when it is much easier and quicker for me to grab the book off my shelf than to log into Lexis and do a search.

When I had to do more significant research, I preferred to search using Lexis (or Westlaw) and pull the books to read the cases. That way, I didn't spend too long staring at a computer screen or print copies of cases that turned out to be useless.

[Bob78164]

I wish the legal books we use had better indexes. Often, there will be no entry for some pretty obvious stuff. In those cases, I have to start trying to think like someone who creates indexes as opposed to thinking like a lawyer.

You still use books?

I often prefer them. When I have a good idea of what I'm looking for, LEXIS works well for me. But when I'm still trying to learn the lay of the land, my strong preference is to browse Westlaw headnotes. And it's much easier and faster to do that using books. --Bob