There is something magical about holding a finished book in your hands.

Whether you are a first-time author or a veteran of the publishing trenches, the moment your words are printed and bound, you know you have done something meaningful. But the road to publication is filled with twists, turns, and critical decisions that can make or break the reading experience. One of the most overlooked—and underestimated—parts of this journey?

The index.

Now, I get it. Indexing is not sexy. It is not flashy. It is not the hot topic in writing groups or publishing panels. But as someone who has spent over 40 years in the book publishing business—managing everything from editorial to production—I can tell you this: a well-constructed index can elevate a nonfiction book from decent to indispensable.

This is especially critical for first-time authors who want their work to be taken seriously, particularly in academic, technical, or reference publishing. If you are writing a book that aims to inform, educate, or explain, you need to understand how indexing works, why it is necessary, and how to do it right.

Let us dive in.

What Is Book Indexing?

At its core, an index is a navigational tool. It is a curated list of key terms, names, subjects, and concepts mentioned in a book, presented alphabetically along with the page numbers where those items appear. It is usually tucked at the back of a nonfiction book, acting as a roadmap for readers who are looking for specific information.

It is not a table of contents. That tells you what is inside by chapter and section. An index, on the other hand, slices through the book thematically and analytically, showing connections and clusters of knowledge that may not be immediately obvious.

Let me put it another way:

A good table of contents tells you what the author wanted to highlight.
A great index tells you what the reader might want to find.

Why Is Indexing So Important?

Here is a scenario I have seen too many times to count:

A promising new nonfiction author pours their heart into a manuscript. The content is brilliant. The layout is clean. The cover pops. The marketing team’s revved and ready to go. But when the book hits the market, it just does not gain traction—especially in libraries, academic circles, or professional industries.

Why?

Because serious readers—researchers, students, instructors, industry professionals—open the back of the book looking for an index. And when they do not find one, they close the book and move on.

Let us be blunt here: a nonfiction book without an index is like a house without a front door. You have locked out your best readers from quickly getting to the information they need.

What Kinds of Books Need Indexes?

Here’s where first-time authors often get confused. Not every book requires an index. If you are writing a novel or a poetry collection, skip it. But if your book falls into any of the following categories, you need to seriously consider indexing:

  • Memoirs with historical or political content
  • How-to or self-help guides
  • Academic or scholarly works
  • Textbooks and study guides
  • Technical or medical manuals
  • Business books
  • History, politics, sociology, or science books
  • Biographies and autobiographies with deep research
  • Anthologies of essays or collected works

Basically, if your reader is likely to refer back to your book multiple times or search for specific topics after an initial read-through—index it.

Manual vs. Automated Indexing

One of the biggest mistakes novice authors make is thinking they can let software do the indexing for them.

There are tools out there—Word plugins, Adobe features, even some AI indexing options—that can create a basic concordance. But those tools cannot tell the difference between meaningful context and a passing reference. They will not group synonyms, detect subtopics, or understand that “FDR,” “Franklin D. Roosevelt,” and “President Roosevelt” are the same person.

This is where the human brain still reigns supreme.

An experienced indexer—yes, that is a real profession—will read your book carefully, flag key themes, disambiguate terms, and create a logical hierarchy that guides the reader with precision. It is part art, part science. And it is worth every penny if you want your book to compete on a professional level.

Anatomy of a Great Index

Let us talk about what makes a good index great.

Here are some hallmarks:

  1. Clarity and Consistency
    Headings and subheadings are uniform and intuitive. Similar topics are grouped logically.
  2. Cross-references
    “See” and “See also” references guide the reader to alternate terms or related topics.
  3. Accuracy
    Page numbers must match the final layout. One misplaced digit can send a reader into a tailspin.
  4. Depth without Overload
    Too few entries and your index is useless. Too many and it becomes a confusing wall of text.
  5. Hierarchy
    Use sub-entries to drill down into topics. For example:

markdown

CopyEdit

Roosevelt, Franklin D.

   – fireside chats, 85-86

   – New Deal programs, 102-108

   – World War II leadership, 145-155

  1. Intuitive Language
    Think about the words your readers would use to find the content—not the jargon only you or your peers understand.

Hiring an Indexer: What to Know

If you have decided to bring in a pro (smart move), here is what you should consider:

  • Experience in Your Genre
    Indexing a medical textbook is a different beast than indexing a history of jazz. Find someone who knows your field.
  • Ask for Samples
    Most indexers have portfolios. Ask to see previous work.
  • Timeline
    Indexing typically happens at the very end of the publishing process—after the page layout is finalized. Build in 1-2 weeks for this task depending on book length.
  • Rates
    Most indexers charge by the page or project. Expect to pay anywhere from $3 to $6 per indexable page (not including front/back matter). Some may go higher for complex subjects.
  • Communication
    Make sure they will be available for clarifications. You want someone who collaborates—not just delivers a file and disappears.

One great resource to find qualified professionals is the American Society for Indexing (ASI) at www.asindexing.org.

DIY Indexing: Should You Try It?

If you are self-publishing and on a shoestring budget, you can index your book yourself—but be warned, it is not for the faint of heart.

Here is how to approach it:

  1. Wait for Final Layout
    Indexing only makes sense when your pagination is locked in. Do it too early and everything changes.
  2. Read with a Highlighter and Notepad
    Track concepts, not just keywords. Think about synonyms and related ideas.
  3. Group and Organize
    Create categories and subcategories. Do not just list everything flat.
  4. Use Indexing Software (Cautiously)
    Tools like SkyIndex or Cindex can help organize your entries, but you will still need to review everything for quality.
  5. Test Your Work
    Hand your index to a friend or colleague. Ask them to find three specific topics and see how fast they can do it. If they struggle, revise.

Why Indexing Affects Book Sales (Yes, Really)

Let me break it down with a real-world example:

Years ago, I worked on a reference title aimed at lawyers and legal researchers. The first edition had a brilliant author, tight content, a solid cover—and no index. Sales were lackluster.

For the second edition, we brought in a professional indexer.

Boom. Sales tripled.

Why?

Because law libraries, professors, and students rely heavily on indexes for quick access. Once the book had a functional, detailed index, it became a go-to reference. It was not just a book—it was a tool. And tools sell better than stories in many niches.

Even outside academia, the index affects perceived value. Readers flip to the back to see how much depth the book covers. A strong index signals that this is a book worth keeping, recommending, and re-reading.

Indexing and Your Author Brand

If you have been following my blog, you know I talk a lot about building your author brand. Well, believe it or not, your index is part of that.

A clean, professional index reflects attention to detail. It tells your audience—and potential publishers—that you take your craft seriously. It separates you from the ocean of amateur self-publishers flooding the market.

Want to stand out? Nail the fundamentals. And indexing is a fundamental.

The Bottom Line

If you have made it this far, I hope one thing is crystal clear:

Indexing is not optional. It is essential.

Especially for nonfiction authors who want to be seen as authoritative, credible, and reader-focused.

Here is your takeaway checklist:

  • ✅ Understand whether your book needs an index
  • ✅ Choose manual indexing over automated shortcuts
  • ✅ Hire a professional or learn the craft yourself
  • ✅ View indexing as an extension of your brand
  • ✅ Remember: accessibility = value

So if you are deep in the process of writing your first book—or gearing up for your next one—do not leave indexing as an afterthought.

Because the index may be at the back of the book…
But in publishing?
It is front and center when it comes to credibility.

Until next time, keep writing, keep learning, and keep publishing with purpose.
Don Schmidt | The Book Kahuna

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