Sandy Aitken (BSc, MSocInd)
Accredited Indexer and Professional Member of the Society of Indexers
An effective index is one which is truly user friendly. It's important to think about the book and the subject from the readers' point of view. I take into account who the likely readers are, their areas of knowledge, and their level of familiarity with the subject matter, their nationality, and any other relevant features.
I understand how real readers look for information, and consider how they are likely to use the book and the index.
I include all of the themes and points the book aims to communicate, and ensure that these are readily accessible. A good index is much more than just a collection of terms or nouns listed in the book.
My previous career involved researching people's behaviour and attitudes, including how they process and respond to information. This helps me to look at books from the readers' point of view, and ensure that their needs are met.
I have created over 120 effective, user-friendly indexes since becoming accredited as a professional indexer.
I can index in a wide range of topics aimed at a general audience, and in addition can work with more advanced or specialist materials in the following:
An effective index is one which is truly user friendly. It's important to think about the book and the subject from the readers' point of view. I take into account who the likely readers are, their areas of knowledge, and their level of familiarity with the subject matter, their nationality, and any other relevant features.
I understand how real readers look for information, and consider how they are likely to use the book and the index.
I include all of the themes and points the book aims to communicate, and ensure that these are readily accessible. A good index is much more than just a collection of terms or nouns listed in the book.
My previous career involved researching people's behaviour and attitudes, including how they process and respond to information. This helps me to look at books from the readers' point of view, and ensure that their needs are met.
I have created over 120 effective, user-friendly indexes since becoming accredited as a professional indexer.
I can index in a wide range of topics aimed at a general audience, and in addition can work with more advanced or specialist materials in the following:
- Social sciences including sociology and anthropology
- Public policy
- Media and communications
- Economics, international development, economic history
- Area studies
- Business
- History
- International relations and security studies
Capabilities and Experience:
- Academic, professional, or mass market texts
- Audiences in any English-speaking country, or the global English-speaking community. I'm American, Canadian, and British, and have lived in all three countries. I also worked in international research for many years, covering six continents. Indexing for a particular audience is not just a matter of spelling and publishing conventions; even more important is adapting to different terminology, concepts, environments (for example government, education, social issues), viewpoint/understanding and sensitivities.
- International authors, including multi-national multi-authored texts and translated texts
- Work to BS ISO, Chicago Manual of Style, or publisher's own house style