Services
Indexing
A professional index that helps readers find what matters.
I create clear, publication-ready back-of-the-book indexes for academic and non-fiction manuscripts, structuring entries around concepts, terminology, and reader intent. The result is a text that is easier to navigate, cite, and use in real research contexts.
What’s included
Concept-led selection
Judicious selection of significant concepts, themes, names, places, texts, and terminology, so the index reflects what matters rather than becoming a mechanical list of words.
Main entries & subentries
Clear main entries and subentries that organise complex material into a usable structure without overcrowding or unnecessary clutter.
Cross-references
Clear “see” and “see also” references to connect related concepts, alternative terms, variant names, and overlapping discussions.
Terminology consistency
Careful treatment of names, titles, variants, repeated terminology, and specialised vocabulary, so entries remain consistent across the whole manuscript.
Locator precision
Accurate page references, cleaned-up ranges, and reduced duplicate or unnecessary locators for a clearer, more usable index.
Publisher-ready delivery
A final back-of-the-book index prepared according to your publisher’s requirements, style sheet, or agreed formatting guidelines.
Deliverables
Completed index
A carefully prepared index in the agreed format, with entries, subentries, cross-references, and page references checked for clarity and consistency.
Queries and notes
Concise notes are included where useful for points that may need author or publisher confirmation.
Delivery
PDF plus a Word/Pages document with the completed index, and any necessary editorial notes included clearly for review.
Best for
Indexing is ideal when final page proofs are complete and a professional back-of-the-book index is needed to improve navigation, discoverability, and ease of reference.
- Scholarly monographs and academic books
- Edited volumes and advanced non-fiction
- Reference-driven manuscripts
Managing expectations
Understanding the boundaries of indexing.
Indexing only
This service covers the creation of the index. Copyediting, proofreading, and other manuscript services are available separately.
No citation fact-checking
Fact-checking of bibliography entries, references, citations, or source details is not included as part of the indexing service.
Typesetting and layout
I prepare the index in a clean, agreed format, ready for insertion. Typesetting, page layout, and design work can be discussed separately if needed.
Understanding Indexing
What indexing involves, and when it fits into the publishing process.
Need a professional index for your book?
Send me a few details, and I’ll be in touch with a quote.