Indexers can make or break a book. “Lessons in Diplomacy”, out in September, has a terrific index, done by a top professional. What lessons can you learn?
What does an index look like?
An index identifies where in a book you can find references to specific people, things or ideas. Indexes are invaluable for non-fiction books. Here’s an bit of the index from Lessons in Diplomacy with references to Brexit:
Indexers can make or break a book
When Bristol University Press bought Lessons in Diplomacy, I asked early on if they were planning an index.
An index elevates a book. Readers can find quickly references to whatever’s bugging them. An index gives a richer, potentially more inspiring impression of the contents of a book than a list of chapters. Plus, an index lends a book gravity – like an insignia of quality. This is a worthwhile publication, the index whispers, in its low-key, back-of-the-book way. The publishers like it enough to commission an index.
When I pick up a book in a bookshop, I often browse the index to see what it’s about. Indexers who create a really good index can make or break a book.
Excerpts from the index dealing with politicians and Russia
“Lessons in Diplomacy” – a brilliant, entertaining index
I was delighted, when I saw the index created for Lessons in Diplomacy: Politics, Power and Parties, to see that the indexer had done a brilliant job. The index not only includes entries to help different types of reader to navigate the book. It also embodies the essence of the book’s humour: quirky entries and references that show that this is not “just another diplomatic memoir”. I am grateful to the indexer who worked on my book.
“Lifelong learning” is an important theme in “Lessons in Diplomacy”
My own efforts to create an index
I know more about indexers than, perhaps, some authors. This is because before the book was sold, someone suggested I try to index it myself.
‘Hold it,’ I said. ‘That’s a highly skilled task. Not sure I’m up to it.’
‘Nonsense,’ they said. ‘There’s great software. Plus, it may encourage publishers to buy your book.’
Grumbling, I had a go at indexing a precious manuscript of Lessons in Diplomacy, then still under its German title of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to Diplomacy. I was nervous, because I’d never tried constructing an index before. Using a tool in Microsoft Word, I made lots of mistakes. After days and weeks of work, I had a kind of index. But I wasn’t happy with it. It was inconsistent and messy. It didn’t reflect what I felt was the quality of the book.
Luckily, BUP decided to publish the book before I’d completed the index. They then brought in a professional to do the job. Thank heavens!
The index created by a professional indexer is far better than my efforts
What indexers really do
The excellent Society of Indexers refer to an index as an ‘ordered arrangement of entries … designed to enable users to locate information in a document or specific documents in a collection’. An indexer will study a book carefully, then use both advanced software and their own experience and judgement to create the index that can best help potential readers find what they’re looking for. It’s painstaking yet creative work: the Society of Authors have a good summary, in which they say to index a 300-page book might take around 30 hours, or a week. The website of the Society of Indexers contains a wealth of information, including on how to find an indexer, and how to become an indexer.
Vienna, my final overseas post, has many entries in the index
What to do next
To check out the whole, fact-and-fun-filled index of “Lessons in Diplomacy”, do order your copy now. You can pre-order it on Amazon, or if you prefer not to use Amazon, direct from Bristol University Press.
The Lessons in Diplomacy page on this website contains photos and excerpts from the book.
4 Responses
Can’t wait to read the index (and indeed, the book) in full
Thanks! Am hoping it will be a splendid read.
The comparation of the indexes (indices?) of the English (cannot wait, eager to read) and the German editions will shed light on the cultural differences of the two languages /way of thinking.
The trick is what is in and what is out: omissions are talking more than inclusions.
Pleased, that those who are less familiar with the language of Goethe have access to your thoughts, as well.
Tamás F Molnar
The differences between the German and English editions are enormous, reflecting both the differing requirements for different markets, and also the way publishing works in each country. I am, however, delighted with both!