A Publisher's Conversation with Authors: 📚 So You Want to Add an Index to Your Book…
It is Tuesday. Monday's madness is over, and Wednesday will take us over the hump, so Tuesday it is--for some serious discussion with authors. Tuesday talks mean to address authors in waiting and self-published authors who would like to go a more traditional route or who would at least like to take their steps with a publisher by their side. This week we take a small step aside and focus on another narrow topic, one for authors of books that benefit from referencing. If you're writing nonfiction, memoir, or any work where readers might reference themes, terms, or names, an index isn’t optional—it’s a strategic asset. But what does it cost, who creates it, and how do publishing models affect the process? 💰 What Does It Cost? Typical Rate: $1,100–$1,500 for ~100,000 words Pricing Basis: Usually charged per typeset page Timeline: 2–4 weeks for professional completion Rush/Complexity Fees: Can push the rate higher 🛠️ Who Actually Creates It? Professional Indexers:...