Sandy Aitken (BSc, MSocInd)
Accredited Indexer and Professional Member of the Society of Indexers
An effective index is much more than just a collection of terms or nouns listed in the book. I aim to produce indexes that are truly user-friendly, and take into account how readers are likely to use your book or document. My previous career involved researching the behaviour and attitudes of consumers and professionals, including how they process and respond to information. This helps me to view books from readers' point of view, and ensure that their needs are met.
I also take into account all of the themes and points the book aims to communicate, and ensure that these are readily accessible. Topics that are not stated explicitly are as important as those that are.
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 much more than just a collection of terms or nouns listed in the book. I aim to produce indexes that are truly user-friendly, and take into account how readers are likely to use your book or document. My previous career involved researching the behaviour and attitudes of consumers and professionals, including how they process and respond to information. This helps me to view books from readers' point of view, and ensure that their needs are met.
I also take into account all of the themes and points the book aims to communicate, and ensure that these are readily accessible. Topics that are not stated explicitly are as important as those that are.
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 in general
- Sociology
- Public policy
- Media and communications
- Economics, international development, economic history
- Area studies
- Business
- History
Capabilities and Experience:
- Academic, professional, or consumer 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.
- 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