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Society of Indexers

@indexers.bsky.social
580 followers 133 following 595 posts

The professional body for indexers in the United Kingdom and Ireland. We can help you find an indexer, learn about indexing and train as an indexer. Learn more at www.indexers.org.uk

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Society of Indexers @indexers.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
What do indexers do when things don't go to plan? In our Ask the Indexers blog post, our panel of experienced indexers suggest ways of coping when things don't go right - and ways of avoiding pitfalls, too: www.indexers.org.uk/posts/ask-th...
indexers.org.uk
Ask the Indexers: dealing with setbacks
For this post, we asked the indexers how they deal with setbacks: scheduling changes, unhappy clients, or other problems that can disrupt their work. Michelle B
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Nicola King @nicolaking.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Useful. There is more from @asindexing.bsky.social on evaluating and index asindexing.org/about-indexi... and from @indexers.bsky.social for authors generally www.indexers.org.uk/about-indexi...
asindexing.org
Index Evaluation Checklist
Printable PDF version The Index is the KEY to the book Is the index to your book or web site good enough for your readers? Here are some helpful insights for ensuring an excellent index. “An …
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Society of Indexers @indexers.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Academic authors! Don’t want to index your own book? Find an expert professional indexer using our Directory. Filter on subject area and type of indexing, including embedded indexing. But book us early - our schedules fill up quickly www.indexers.org.uk/find-an-inde...
A drawing of a woman in nineteenth-century dress, leaning on her desk and staring at some papers. Photo by Birmingham Museums Trust via Unsplash.
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Society of Indexers @indexers.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Join us for #SIConf26, online from 11-12 November 2026; we'll explore mentoring, team indexing, peer review and client relationships - and many other ways in which we're on the same page. Check out the programme and book your place via buff.ly/aoZu0RT
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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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Society of Indexers @indexers.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Our online distance-learning training course concludes with the Pre-qualification Indexing Assessment, an index of a book-length work that is evaluated by an experienced professional indexer. This is a great dry run for professional projects and you'll get detailed feedback. buff.ly/oj8Tjlh
indexers.org.uk
Becoming an indexer 4: the pre-qualification indexing assignment (PIA)
[Photo credit: Photo by Ben White on Unsplash] Once you’ve completed the training course modules and tutorials, and passed the necessary assessments, the final
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Society of Indexers @indexers.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
This week’s Coffee Morning included updates on our two publications, SIdelights – our member newsletter – and @indexer.bsky.social – our international journal.
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Society of Indexers @indexers.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
How do indexers find their clients, and make sure their clients can find them? How do they build relationships with other indexers and the wider publishing world? We asked our panel of expert indexers how they approach networking: buff.ly/AsHOFWX
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Ask the Indexers: making connections and staying visible
In our latest Ask the Indexers blog post, we find out what our panel does to  network, make connections and maintain visibility. Christine Boylan, Advanced
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Society of Indexers @indexers.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
How can you best improve your efficiency, and give yourself time to focus on the fun parts of indexing work? We asked our panel of expert indexers to share their best advice and tips on working more efficiently: www.indexers.org.uk/posts/ask-th...
indexers.org.uk
Ask the Indexers: working efficiently, saving time
As indexers gain in experience, they develop very efficient ways of working. We asked our panel of indexers for their best efficiency and timesaving tips. Chris
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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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Nicola King @nicolaking.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Our colleagues at @asindexing.bsky.social have a guide for evaluating an AI-generated index. It is much the same as evaluating a human-generated index. See asindexing.org/ai-news/eval... if you need to evaluate an index.
asindexing.org
Guide to Evaluating an AI-Generated Book Index
The AI Committee of the American Society for Indexing is pleased to release our guide to evaluating an AI-generated book index for authors and editors. While our research indicates that generative …
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Society of Indexers @indexers.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Our online distance-learning training course isn't just the modules and assessments. There is support throughout from experienced professional indexers in the form of tutorials and mentoring, as well as peer support from fellow students. Our blog post explains how it all works: buff.ly/O9bUqMf
indexers.org.uk
Becoming an indexer 3: tutorials, workshops and other support
[photo credit Kristin Hardwick, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons] This post follows on from the overview of the training course modules and explains how the other asp
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Tanya Izzard @tanyaizzard.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
This was such an interesting session but gave me flashbacks to indexing a book about Donald Judd - each of his works is called Untitled... #IndexSky
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Society of Indexers @indexers.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Need an indexer for your non-fiction book? In our Professional Directory, you can search on subject, type of publication and type of indexing to find the best indexer for your project. www.indexers.org.uk/find-an-inde...
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Society of Indexers @indexers.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Are you a publishing professional who’s new to working with book indexers? Our guide to commissioning an index takes you through the whole process and helps you foster good working relationships and great indexes www.indexers.org.uk/wp-content/u...
A woman holding a magnifying glass sits at a desk, an open book in front of her. By Houcine Ncib on Unsplash.
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Society of Indexers @indexers.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
At today’s Talking about the Past session, indexer Pauline Hubner shared her experience of indexing illustrated books.
Guildhall Art Gallery by Peter Trimming, CC BY-SA 2.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0>, via Wikimedia Commons
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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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Tanya Izzard @tanyaizzard.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Very pleased to be able to say that I am now a Fellow of the Society of Indexers. Although there is no special Fellow regalia, I do get a new badge for my website and online profiles.
Society of Indexers Fellow
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Nicola King @nicolaking.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Nice work by @adrianashton2.bsky.social on the loo talking about his book and the index.
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Nicola King @nicolaking.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Book index word sorting orders. There are two kinds, word-by-word and letter-by-letter. My brain prefers word-by-word, but some publishers require letter-by-letter so my brain gets a bit upset when it produces peanut, peanut butter, pea pods, peas, pea sellers, pease porridge.
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Nicola King @nicolaking.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
A quick skim of the index is sometimes all you need.
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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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Society of Indexers @indexers.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
Indexing is a profession that’s associated with consistency, balance and attention to detail, rather than rebellion. However, at yesterday’s Society of Indexers Coffee Morning, we talked about breaking the rules in indexing.
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Society of Indexers @indexers.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
There's still time to propose a plenary talk, breakout session or lightning talk for #SIConf26 - our conference is online on 11 & 12 November and this year we're focusing on 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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Nicola King @nicolaking.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
Super article about the very important indexer Nancy Bailey @indexers.bsky.social
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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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Society of Indexers @indexers.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
For this morning’s Talking about the Past Zoom session, 22 indexers – with about 300 years of cumulative indexing experience between them – met to discuss passing mentions.
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Nicola King @nicolaking.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
This is what professional indexers are here to prevent. Don't bang your head on the keyboard or start on some demon drink, get an indexer! Sorry for you, James, if you need any help or tips, just ask.
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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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Society of Indexers @indexers.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
If you're intrigued by indexing, you can explore our online distance-learning training course and see how you might enter this fascinating line of work. Study at your own pace, with feedback and support from experienced professional indexers: buff.ly/kwhStax
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Society of Indexers @indexers.bsky.social · 24/07/2026
As an indexing client, what do I need to know about the process? From first contact and booking your indexer to reviewing the index, our blog series on index commissioning takes you through all the stages of an indexing project in helpful detail buff.ly/QrtdYp0
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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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Nicola King @nicolaking.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
Yes, book indexers do have to read the book and sometimes it can be challenging and/or upsetting. @tanyaizzard.bsky.social has some advice on how to work on such material.
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Tanya Izzard @tanyaizzard.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
I'm indexing a book about the Holocaust at this very moment, so will be taking my own advice. This post grew out of an @indexers Coffee Morning - thanks to all those who shared their experiences there.
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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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Society of Indexers @indexers.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Thinking about book indexing as a career? Our online distance-learning training course will take you from beginner to accredited professional indexer, ready for your first commission. Explore the course modules and assessments in more detail through our blog post:
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Becoming an indexer 2: the Society of Indexers training course modules
Are you thinking about training as an indexer? This is the first of three blog posts that give an overview of the Society of Indexers training course. It gives
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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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Society of Indexers @indexers.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
How do you find the right book indexer for your book? Use our Professional Directory and you'll find an indexer with the right expertise and experience for your project buff.ly/SYKV5Qw
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Society of Indexers @indexers.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
Become a book indexer. Read books, write indexes, get an intellectual workout, work flexibly from home, get paid. Find out more about our indexing training course buff.ly/kwhStax
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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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Nicola King @nicolaking.bsky.social · 14/07/2026
Index doing its job showing readers what is and what is not in a book.
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Society of Indexers @indexers.bsky.social · 10/07/2026
In today's Ask the Indexers blog post, our panel tell us what they wish people understood about our niche job - mainly, that it really is a job, and that no, a computer/AI can't do it. Read more here: buff.ly/VREMHpE #IndexSky
indexers.org.uk
Ask the Indexers: what’s the thing you wish everyone understood about indexing?
In our latest Ask the Indexers blog post, our panel members offer insight into the sometimes hidden world of indexing. Samantha Clark, Advanced Professional Mem
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Brenden W. Rensink 📚🏃‍♂️⛰ @brendenwrensink.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
Not often that you see an “Snacks” in a book index. Not often enough! 🤣
Book index with snacks entry
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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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BuffaloResearch.com @buffaloresearch.com · 08/07/2026
Hey, nonfiction and academic publishers, how about uploading the table on contents to your book listings? And the index? These are selling tools! 🗃️📚
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Society of Indexers @indexers.bsky.social · 06/07/2026
Book indexers get paid to read books, write indexes, get an intellectual workout and work flexibly from home. We work with authors and publishers on all sorts of books and journals. Find out more about our indexing training course buff.ly/kwhStax
A woman working at a desk, looking at her monitor.
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Society of Indexers @indexers.bsky.social · 03/07/2026
Not all authors enjoy indexing. Find the right indexer for your book in our Directory. Filter on subject area and type of indexing, including embedded indexing. But book us early - our schedules fill up quickly buff.ly/j248fTF
A man sits at an untidy desk, head in hands. Photo from the Centre for Ageing Better.
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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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Society of Indexers @indexers.bsky.social · 29/06/2026
Many of our members combine book indexing with other work, including proofreading, editing, librarianship and teaching. Explore our training course pages to find out more about adding indexing to your career buff.ly/biIlySq
Woman on a beach juggling red balls.  Photo by Peggy Anke on Unsplash.
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Society of Indexers @indexers.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
Readers disappointed by the lack of an index, a regular series:
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Society of Indexers @indexers.bsky.social · 26/06/2026
Academic authors! Don’t want to index your own book? Find an expert professional indexer using our Directory. Filter on subject area and type of indexing, including embedded indexing. But book us early - our schedules fill up quickly buff.ly/j248fTF
A drawing of a woman in nineteenth-century dress, leaning on her desk and staring at some papers. Photo by Birmingham Museums Trust via Unsplash.
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