iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Paula Clarke Bain

Society of Indexers @indexers.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Bookings are now open for #SIConf26, online from 11-12 November. Join us to discuss how as indexers we can connect and collaborate. Explore the programme and book your place via buff.ly/aoZu0RT

indexers.org.uk

Conference 2026 ‘On the Same Page’

Conference programme The Society of Indexers' 2026 online conference will take place via Zoom on 11–12 November 2026. We will have a full programme over two day

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Paula Clarke Bain @baindex.org · 12/09/2026

Enjoying the CIEP Conference 2026 ‘More than words: The evolving role of the editorial professional’. Today I present ‘Index in progress: The ancient art and modern science of book indexing’. Past, present, future, with tips, exercises and cautionary tales. #CIEP2026 #IndexSky @the-ciep.bsky.social

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Paula Clarke Bain @baindex.org · 29/08/2026

Anyone have any indexing horror stories they care to share please for a presentation I’m doing soon? Like what can happen between index submission and what actually got printed in the book. I do have some examples of my own, which still make me shudder. 😱 #IndexSky

Black and white still image from the 1935 film Bride of Frankenstein of Elsa Lanchester with a white lightning streak in her dark conical hairdo. She is looking upwards and screaming.

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Paula Clarke Bain @baindex.org · 28/08/2026

Great to have another Fellow of the Society of Indexers @indexers.bsky.social, the highest membership grade, requiring proven CPD, self-evaluation and tutor feedback on a published index. Well done and congratulations, Tanya @tanyaizzard.bsky.social.

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Society of Indexers @indexers.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Today's the deadline to submit your proposal for our 2026 conference. #SIConf26 will be held online on 11 and 12 November, and our theme this year is collaboration in indexing. Find out more and submit your proposal via www.indexers.org.uk/training-dev...

indexers.org.uk

Conference 2026 ‘On the Same Page’

Call for contributions The Society of Indexers invites contributions for our 2026 online conference, taking place via Zoom on 11–12 November 2026. We will have

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Paula Clarke Bain @baindex.org · 22/08/2026

Blown away by The Cure at Wythenshawe Park in Manchester. Robert Smith in fine form and that voice. Phenomenal. 🖤

The Cure on stage at Wythenshawe Park in Manchester, UK. Two large screens each side of the stage show the singer Robert Smith. The cloudy sky is turning orange in a beautiful sunset.

The Cure on stage at Wythenshawe Park with singer Robert Smith in close-up on the side screens. The stage is lit in purple and green against the dark night sky and park trees. A large screen behind the band shows a spider in a web for the song ‘Lullaby’.

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Society of Indexers @indexers.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

Do you have something to say about collaboration in book indexing? Propose a plenary talk, a breakout session or a lightning talk for #SIConf26! This takes place online on 11 & 12 November, and our theme is collaboration. Find out more and submit your proposal via buff.ly/rE0nbGI

indexers.org.uk

Conference 2026 ‘On the Same Page’

Call for contributions The Society of Indexers invites contributions for our 2026 online conference, taking place via Zoom on 11–12 November 2026. We will have

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Paula Clarke Bain @baindex.org · 06/08/2026

An enjoyably lively Zoom chat on passing mentions with @indexers.bsky.social yesterday, sharing the 300 years of experience between the attendees. I was about a twelfth of that total. #IndexSky

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Nicola King @nicolaking.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

OMG @djbduncan.bsky.social @baindex.org - an airport read now!

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Paula Clarke Bain @baindex.org · 01/08/2026

British Pork from SNL UK. What’s it got? It’s got the lot. Love to see this official upload at last and still willing George Fouracres on to the end. #SNLUK www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWdQ...

youtube.com

British Pork: It’s Got the Lot | SNL UK

YouTube video by Saturday Night Live UK

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Paula Clarke Bain @baindex.org · 28/07/2026

Indexer on a train, July 2026. Heading to London to represent @indexers.bsky.social in a publishing vodcast / video podcast. Will share more details when it’s out. #IndexSky

View from a train window of blue sky, green trees and yellow grass. On the train seat table are a black travel mug, blue pen, teal notebook and a paperback copy of the book They by Kay Dick.

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GwedLid (Fisto to my mates) @gwedlid.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

RIP Bill Oddie. Legend.

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Society of Indexers @indexers.bsky.social · 22/07/2026

What are the distinctive challenges of indexing books about music or dance? Our Coffee Morning on 16 July looked at this topic, with presentations by Marian Aird, @baindex.org, and Pauline Hubner.

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Paula Clarke Bain @baindex.org · 25/07/2026

This wood pigeon landed on my head earlier. Is that lucky? 🐦

Photo of a wood pigeon standing on the edge of a round metallic garden table and looking at the camera by a fence covered in green Virginia creeper.

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Society of Indexers @indexers.bsky.social · 21/07/2026

How can indexers work best with books that cover challenging or upsetting subjects? Indexer @tanyaizzard.bsky.social discusses ways to support yourself if you're working with material you find difficult: buff.ly/GMf5ZeX

indexers.org.uk

Indexing difficult topics

There are all sorts of books about topics that indexers might find difficult. There are histories and memoirs of atrocities and traumas; medical textbooks descr

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Paula Clarke Bain @baindex.org · 18/07/2026

Manchester Recorder Orchestra return to Buxton Festival Fringe for their silver anniversary (25th) #BuxtonFringe concert tonight. I’ll be tootling my tenor again. @buxtonfringe.bsky.social

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Paula Clarke Bain @baindex.org · 18/07/2026

A full night of comedy delights at Buxton Working Men’s Club (or underneath it) from Barrel of Laughs and then local/global legend Kate Butch. I love Buxton Fringe. 😻 @buxtonfringe.bsky.social @undergroundvenues.bsky.social @thekatebutch.bsky.social

Drag queen Kate Butch on the Underground stage at Buxton Working Men’s Club in a black wig, glittery heels and a dress covered in cats.

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Paula Clarke Bain @baindex.org · 16/07/2026

An enjoyable Coffee Morning Zoom today with @indexers.bsky.social (with thanks to host Ruth Martin). Marian Aird, Pauline Hubner and I presented on indexing books on music and dance. Here’s a few of my trickier indexes on Stephen Dodgson, Josephine Baker and Katherine Dunham. #IndexSky

Front cover of the book Born by the Thames: Stephen Dodgson – A Centenary Celebration (eds Oliver Chandler and Thomas Hyde). It features a black and white photo of the composer.

An index page from the book Born by the Thames, showing the end of the alphabetical works index, and the start of the works index by instrument/type.

Front cover of the book Josephine Baker and Katherine Dunham: Dances in Literature and Culture by Hannah Durkin. The cover features a black and white photo of each dancer.

An index page from the book Josephine Baker and Katherine Dunham, showing the lengthy entry for Baker, Josephine and its surrounding entries.

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Kath @kathyburke.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

At least we don’t have to listen to wonderwall.

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Paula Clarke Bain @baindex.org · 15/07/2026

What a picture. This moorland wildfire smoke is sometimes blowing our way (Stockport, Greater Manchester). I have stocked up on face masks.

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Jennifer Williams @jenwilliamsft.bsky.social · 15/07/2026

Manchester smells like it’s been barbecued

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Paula Clarke Bain @baindex.org · 14/07/2026

And another vote here for ‘Yes, we do have to read the whole book’. @indexers.bsky.social #IndexSky

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McNaughtan's Bookshop @mcnaughtans.co.uk · 04/07/2026

In the absence of an index, simply read the book cover to cover several times, advises William Robb, enfeebled author.

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I’m Dave Williams. You’re probably not @skirwingle.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

A great actor is all men, somehow (3,5) #cryptic #crossword

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Paula Clarke Bain @baindex.org · 09/07/2026

I’ve been sent this several times already for some reason. From today’s Guardian cryptic crossword 30,054 set by Brendan. www.theguardian.com/crosswords/c...

Screenshot of Guardian cryptic crossword grid no. 30,054.
Set by: Brendan
Thu 9 Jul 2026 00.00 BST
The highlighted clue is:
9 Across Last part of book, perhaps, some find exciting (5)

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Paula Clarke Bain @baindex.org · 07/07/2026

John Oliver getting his soap slap on General Hospital. I love everything about this.

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Rachel Playforth @archelina.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

On our #CrypticSunday stream today, we're tackling 22 different MyCrossword setters! One cryptic was entirely set by emaherself, and one by 21 people collaborating as Platypus, led by @tpgrammar.bsky.social. Join us at 12 noon BST! twitch.tv/crypticsunday

twitch.tv

CrypticSunday - Twitch

Hello we are Matt and Rachel.We stream cryptic crosswords almost every Sunday at 12pm UK time.

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Paula Clarke Bain @baindex.org · 03/07/2026

A pleasure as always to create the index to Revolutionary Subjects for Benjamin Kohlmann. I have now indexed four of his books on literature, and a fifth is in the pipeline.

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Duke University Press @dukepress.bsky.social · 03/07/2026

As we head into a long holiday weekend in the US, our staff share their summer reading recommendations, including books by @glumghost.bsky.social and @djbduncan.bsky.social ... and Moby Dick! buff.ly/bBLLeqj

Covers of Index, A History of the; Lake Effect, Lovers' Leap; Moby Dick; Tartufo; and Yesteryear, arranged in a 3x3 grid.

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Society of Indexers @indexers.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

This morning’s Talking About the Past Zoom session was about indexing local history. Ann Hudson, who has years of experience of indexing this area, talked us through the issues and shared some fascinating examples from her own work.

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Rishi Dastidar @betarish.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

Seeing that map has lead to this:

Severe alert canopy

England is draped in weather warnings.
An info-brolly of extreme storms, stress and doom.
Blue skies can hate us, this truth is dawning as England is draped in weather warnings.
Peril, stress and temps are soaring, causing rapid retreats to cooler (they hope) rooms.
England is draped in weather warnings.
An info-brolly of extreme storms, stress and doom.

RD 25 / vi / 26

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Society of Indexers @indexers.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

In our latest blog post, our panel of expert indexers discuss pushing their professional boundaries. When is it a good idea to stretch yourself and take on something different or challenging? And conversely, when is it a good idea to know your limits?

buff.ly

Ask the Indexers: pushing your professional boundaries

For today’s blog post, we asked our panel of indexers about projects outside their comfort zone – whether in terms of the type of book, type of indexing or subj

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Paula Clarke Bain @baindex.org · 24/06/2026

How this freelancer is getting through the latest heatwave. Work early, then siesta.

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A Laugh in Stockport Comedy Club @alaughinstockport.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

Comedy murder-mystery returns to Stockport next month. Murder Inc presents: FASHION VICTIM – a murder-mystery set at fashion show! Wednesday 22nd July @ Thread. Tickets on sale now: wegottickets.com/f/22040 #stockport #comedy #improv #murdermystery

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Tom Phillips @tom-phillips.com · 19/06/2026

In accordance with ancient tradition, our next Prime Minister is announced to the nation while standing between a furry and a man with a bin on his head.

A victorious Andy Burnham MP (24,937 votes), as the result of the Makerfield by-election is announced, flanked by defeated candidates Count Binface (a bloke in a vaguely sci-fi costume with a large bin for a helmet; 95 votes) and Robert Pownall (who is in a full body fox costume, holding a sign reading "Protect British Wildlife"; 18 votes). There are some other candidates there just out of shot but that's not important right now.

Photo: Jon Super/AP

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Paula Clarke Bain @baindex.org · 17/06/2026

‘The Other Side: Only Connect’ 1979 play by Noel Greig and Drew Griffiths from Gay Sweatshop is on BBC Four tonight. It’s preceded by an introduction by its commissioner/producer W Stephen Gilbert, who is now a book indexer and active member of @indexers.bsky.social.

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Reposted by Paula Clarke Bain

Society of Indexers @indexers.bsky.social · 16/06/2026

Obviously, we say hire a professional indexer. But you might find our information for authors useful: www.indexers.org.uk/about-indexi..., especially the linked blog posts from @baindex.org and @tanyaizzard.bsky.social

indexers.org.uk

Authors and indexes

Some authors feel that they are the best people to index their own books, as they are the experts on the subject matter and familiar with the books' structure.

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Paula Clarke Bain @baindex.org · 11/06/2026

Great start by Michele Combs and Elizabeth Bartmess on ‘Indexing in the Era of AI’ at @asindexing.bsky.social #ASI2026. LLMs and generative AI chatbots produce poor book indexes, with limitations in coverage (both under- and over-indexing), navigability and accuracy. Further links below. #IndexSky

Screenshot of a slide title in white text on a light blue background:
Why are LLMs so bad at indexing?*

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Paula Clarke Bain @baindex.org · 11/06/2026

I’m tuning in shortly for the full day 2 of @asindexing.bsky.social’s 2026 conference. Look forward to hearing about indexing in the era of AI, mastering the marketing game, ‘Disasters, indexing through them’ and more. See some of you in our Zoom boxes soon. #IndexSky

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Paula Clarke Bain @baindex.org · 11/06/2026

Fab night at the Phoenix Arts Club in London’s Soho watching The League of Improv with guest comedian George Fouracres from #SNLUK (and his little earring too). What a treat to see in hilarious freewheeling action, live and up close. 🤩 (📷 @martinbain.bsky.social)

A team of seven performers from The League of Improv and guest comedian George Fouracres posing for an after-show photo on stage at the Phoenix Arts Club in London.

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Paula Clarke Bain @baindex.org · 10/06/2026

The @asindexing.bsky.social 2026 virtual conference ‘Indexing in Interesting Times’ starts today. @tanyaizzard.bsky.social and others from @indexers.bsky.social will be there for day 1, and I’m attending all of day 2 live tomorrow. Wishing a good one to our international indexing friends! #IndexSky

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Society of Indexers @indexers.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

Book indexers are asked all the time whether a computer - or, lately AI - can do our job. Neither or a computer or AI can index adequately - our panel of expert indexers explain why you still need a human being to index your book:

buff.ly

Ask the Indexers: can’t a computer do that?

This is the first in a series of blog posts that ask a panel of experienced indexers questions about indexing practice and life as an indexer. These will be app

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Paula Clarke Bain @baindex.org · 05/06/2026

We @indexers.bsky.social had good Zoom chats on index introductory notes. Here’s two odd ones of mine: – INDEX, A History of @djbduncan.bsky.social – The Frankfurt Kabuff Critical Edition @bethdriscoll.bsky.social & @clairesquires.bsky.social, with a running footer key on each spread. #IndexSky

Photo of the first page of the human indexer's index to Dennis Duncan’s book ‘INDEX, A History of’, set in two columns. The index introductory note reads:

Note to the gentle Reader: Page numbers in italic indicate figures. Page numbers in the form 273n1 indicate endnotes. Entries are sorted in letter-by-letter order, except where noted. This index was created by Paula Clarke Bain, who is a professional indexer and a human being. [PCB]

Photo of the first page of the index to The Frankfurt Kabuff Critical Edition (eds Beth Driscoll and Claire Squires), set in two columns. There is a chapter-style header of:

Index
Paula Clarke Bain

There is also a key note in a box at the foot of this page and every other right-hand page in the index. The key reads as follows, in different fonts where appropriate:

Key to index styles: bold pp. no. = Kabuff novella and fictions • italic pp. no. = images • notes format = 35n3 • CHARACTERS • Screenplay

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Tanya Izzard @tanyaizzard.bsky.social · 03/06/2026

This was a fascinating discussion and I'm looking forward to making use of in situ notes in a future index #IndexSky

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Nicola King @nicolaking.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

Some support for book indexes here. @indexers.bsky.social has a directory of indexers should you need to find one.

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Paula Clarke Bain @baindex.org · 02/06/2026

Excellent day out with @indexers.bsky.social to the Thin Ice Press at York Centre for Print. We all had a try at metal movable type setting and the printing press, and got a souvenir of our letterpress handiwork – the quote on indexes from Shakespeare’s Troilus and Cressida. #IndexSky

A group of seven people from the Society of Indexers standing by the wall outside the Thin Ice Press in York. One indexer is pointing her index finger at a poster with a printer’s fist or manicule finger image pointing towards the venue entrance.

A woman in a green apron standing by a wooden case containing compartments of metal type of individual letters and spacers and working on compositing a line of text.

A woman in a pink apron operating a metal letterpress machine, feeding a sheet of paper through its rollers with one hand, and turning the press handle with the other hand to press the paper onto an inked set of type.

A printed copy souvenir in black ink from the letterpress printing process. The sheet has a printer’s fist or manicule finger image pointing to the text:

And in such indexes, although small pricks
To their subsequent volumes, there is seen
The baby figure of the giant mass
Of things to come at large.
Shakespeare, Troilus and Cressida

Printed for Indexers, the Society of,
at Thin Ice Press,
on 1 June 2026

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#StetChat @stetchat.com · 20/05/2026

Join our upcoming #StetChats live at 4–5 p.m. ET / 1–2 p.m. PT here on Bluesky! 📆 June 3, 2026: LGBTQ+ Inclusive Language 📆 June 17, 2026: Red Flag Roulette 📆 July 1, 2026: Managing Distractions! 📆 July 15, 2026: The Value of Editing Put #StetChat on your calendars so you don't miss it!

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Paula Clarke Bain @baindex.org · 01/06/2026

Indexer on a train, June 2026. 🚂 Off to York for an @indexers.bsky.social Supergroup meeting and a tour of Thin Ice Press at the York Centre for Print. Mary Shelley and one last man are keeping me company on the way. #IndexSky

View from a train window of a row of arched windows and Victorian brickwork inside Manchester Piccadilly railway station. On the train table are a coffee cup and a paperback copy of The Last Man by Mary Shelley.

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W. Caleb McDaniel @wcaleb.org · 23/04/2026

A student in my Civil War history course brought by an interesting artifact she once found in a Baltimore used book store. It appears to be a scrapbook kept by a journalist during the 1860s, with an index of topics in the front. Very cool!

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