Index in progress: Uncovering the ancient art and modern science of book indexing

11am – 11.55am BST, 12 September 2026 ‐ 55 mins

Session 2 – breakout (running concurrently)

This session is designed to draw out content that will be transferable to those who do not work with indexes, in terms of advocacy for human editorial freelancers in general, getting more involved with and volunteering for your professional societies, client communication, and having good relationships with publishers, authors, editorial peers and other partners.

Delegates should attend the session if they are interested in book indexes, already work with indexes and want to know to more about best indexing practice, if they are considering adding indexing to their editorial skills, or even if they are just mystified by the whole process.

Delegates will take away a greater understanding of book indexing in the publication process, increased confidence in how to evaluate and check an index, and some practical experience of trying indexing for themselves. Many points will be relevant to editorial freelancers in general, whether working with indexes or not.

The session will include:

• the purpose and value of an index
• the ongoing worth of human indexers vs computers/AI bots
• how the indexing process has changed over time (including client base and technology)
• collaboration and communication – with clients (authors and publishers) and other editorial professionals
• advocacy for human editorial freelancers through voluntary involvement with professional societies
• how to evaluate a good or bad index (including proofreading tips)
• practical quizzes and exercises on learning the basics of indexing
• Q&A discussion.

This is a new session with different content to Paula's presentation at the CIEP 2025 Conference (‘An extra trick up your sleeve: adding book indexing to your editorial skills portfolio’) and so attendees who attended that session last year would still benefit from attending this one.

Speakers

Paula Clarke Bain

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Paula Clarke Bain

Paula Clarke Bain is a Fellow of the Society of Indexers (SI) and is celebrating 25 years of being a freelance book indexer and editor in 2026. She most enjoys working on biography, comedy, film, literature and music books, plus indexes on indexes. She is an Advanced Professional Member of the Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading (CIEP) and she was a freelance copyeditor and proofreader before training in indexing with the Society of Indexers. She is also an Associate Member of the Society of Authors. Her qualifications include BA (Hons) English and American Literature (UEA) and BSc (Hons) Psychology, and she has an employment background as an in-house proofreader for publishers and printers. Currently, she is Chair of the Executive Board of the Society of Indexers, and she has enjoyed being involved in many other SI matters, including writing for The Indexer journal and being co-creator with Ruth Ellis of the first National Indexing Day in 2017, commemorating the founding of the Society of Indexers in March 1957. She is now part of the SI presentation team at the associated annual #IndexDay workshop events for publishing professionals, currently held at the Publishers Association in London.

Her website and indexing blog is baindex.org and she can be located on social media at LinkedIn and on Bluesky at @baindex.org.

Email: pcbain@baindex.org