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Back Words Indexing
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Martha Osgood Since 1996 author of the index for |
(specifics may vary in actual contract)
Title of Book ________________________________________
Topic / Thrust _______________________________________
Audience(s) ________________________________________
Editor's name/street address and phone/email _________________
Number of indexable pages
Page size _________ Size of font _______ Columns _____
Date Final Page Proofs to be delivered TO BWI ____________
Date Completed Index to be returned to publisher __________
Any restrictions on number of pages for index? (optional) _____
Rough number of entries per text page expected? (optional) ____
Method of text transmission
Please send the book to me by email as a PDF attachment (I do not charge to print the book at my end, and it saves you courier costs and time).
Form of finished index - I send you a plain version of the index in Rich Text Format which you would open in Word or Word Perfect. If your compositor prefers a tagged version, I can do that too.
Type of index(es):
| single concept/name index several indexes (i.e., subject/name, subject index, name only, authors cited, Latin plant names, Scripture, bibliographical, or other additional indexes) __________________________ biography genealogy other |
Once we decide to do business with each other, I will ask for the following:
- a single PDF of the book after all pagination has been set in stone with India ink glue (=page numbers and content absolutely must not change after indexing begins)
- all back matter (glossary, bibliography, appendixes) whether to be indexed or not
- all front matter (introduction, title page, table of contents, preface, foreword) whether to be indexed or not
- a style sheet, specification/style decisions, a sample index as a model, or permission to make these decisions based on my experience and the needs of the text
- copy of the agreement, signed
SPECIFICATIONS
Even if we simply "Follow Chicago," (Chicago Manual of Style, 15th edition) there are choices available. I am comfortable making the decisions about those items for which you do not indicate a preference.
Style preferences
Chicago 15
House (send detailed Style Sheet or preferred style example)
Indention
Indented (list style) - up to three levels as needed
Run-in (hanging paragraph style) - two levels only (main and sub)
Alphabetization
Word-by-Word Letter-by-Letter
Depends on the needs of the text
Locator Format
Full page ranges - 324-328
Abbreviated page ranges (Chicago) - 324-28
Very abbreviated page ranges (Hart) - 324-8
Numbers
Specify alpha-sort order (or let me decide based on the needs of the book):
nineteen twenty-four
one thousand nine hundred twenty four
one-nine-two-four
1924 (i.e., at the top of the index, if a main entry)
one-hundred-yard relay
hundred-yard relay
Cross-reference Placement
After main entry
As first subheading after main entry
As last subheading
Forbid c/r after subs
Indexable
Footnotes, Endnotes
Appendixes
Illustrations, Photographs, Drawings
Tables, Charts, Figures,
And if so, in what format (or let me decide)
| term, 73 | term, 73n | term, 73n5 | term, 73 n. 5 |
| entry, 154 | entry, 154f | entry, 154 f2 | entry, 154 fig.2 |
| term, 154nn3-4 | term, 154nn3, 7 | term, 154nn3,7-8 |
Seed List - If there are specific concepts the author wishes to see in the index, feel free to list those (10-15 max) and their synonyms. Be assured that even without such a list, a professional indexer understands to look for concepts from the text itself.
THE FINE PRINT
* I may request to see the book or representative portions of the book before making my quote firm. My charges range from $4.00 to $6.00 per text page, although most books that I have indexed have come in at $4.50/text page unless conditions mentioned on the Costs Page change that figure. (If they do, I will contact you early on).
* My estimate is based on an indexable page count. An indexable page is any page of the book (whether it is included in the index or not) which carries potential information, including pictures, figures, graphs for the index. Front and back matter, which I request for background, are not considered "indexable" unless you request that they be indexed.
* Re-indexing charges are $45/hr if the book's pagination changes after indexing has begun. (Note: if the content of any changes by whole pages and, say, all of page 55 becomes all of page 58 or all of Chapter 6 exchanges places with all of Chapter 13, there is no problem. If parts of some pages become parts of other pages, the re-indexing charge will apply.) I cannot emphasize enough that indexing depends upon the content of each numbered page remaining stable from the beginning of the indexing process to the final publication.
* An equal grace period is required at the tail end if the front end slips.
* I use Chicago 15 conventions, modified by your style preferences and the needs of the book. I need the house style sheet and the copyeditor's style sheet for that particular book (especially for names and unfamiliar words).
* The book is sent to me by email attachment or on a CD in PDF format. PDF (Portable Document Format) is a cross-platform method of transporting documents, exactly, in final form. This saves you shipping fees, and I do not charge for printing out a (magnified) copy of the book. I start the indexing process as soon as I receive the PDF, and use the PDF's search capabilities during the editing process.
* The delivered index will be considered a penultimate product. Your review and suggestions are welcome. Adjustments taking less than two hours will not incur extra charges. Any changes must be incorporated by the indexer to ensure the integrity of the index structure. Sometimes adjustments are literally as easy as a few keystrokes on my end for what would take hours on your end. Besides, I know where all the bones are buried.
* At no extra charge, I ask to be allowed to quickly proofread the index after it is typeset. Proper indention is vital to an index, and twice I have found that an index I wrote has been rendered nonsensical (at least in part) by lack of attention to this very important detail.
* I bill by invoice and my invoices are payable upon receipt of index. No interest is due if payment is received by the 30th day after the invoice date. Interest is applied at a rate of 1.5 percent per month or partial month, including the month following date of the invoice. Copyright is transferred when full payment is received.
* Responsibility for payment. The party who signs the agreement is the party responsible for payment. Authors are asked for 50% down when the agreement is signed.
* Oregon law shall govern and enforce this agreement. Any litigation or arbitration between the parties shall take place in Lane County, Oregon.
* Back Words Indexing does not assume liability for the content of the indexes. I am a freelance, independent subcontractor. Upon request, I will provide my SSN #.