You don’t need a hard copy — a PDF of the published book AND/OR the PDF sent to you by the publisher plus your Word/RTF file of the index.
The cost is only $30.
The benefits:
The winner will receive two tickets to the conference banquet at the next in-person conference.
We provide feedback for up to three runners-up.
No restriction to the subject matter or genre — textbooks, cookbooks, guidebooks, memoirs, art books, how-to books, travel books, all books — it’s your index we will be looking at.
Show us how you creatively overcame challenges, resulting in an outstanding, well-structured, easy-to-navigate, clear and comprehensive guide for all of its users.
You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. Maybe you’ll get the prize (which won’t happen if you don’t apply). And even if you don’t win, you’re very likely to receive expert confidential feedback. That’s worth a lot.
This year you can submit indexes published in 2022 and 2023. If you are a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada, this is the time to do it. If you are not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you may submit an index if you were a member of ISC/SCI at the time you wrote the index.
The Conference Committee invites your proposals for ISC/SCI Conference 2024.
Proposals are being accepted until October 31, 2023.
This is an online conference taking place on Friday, May 31 and Saturday, June 1, 2024. Sessions will be 50 minutes in total (35–40 minutes for presentation followed by a 10–15 minute question-and-answer session).
The committee is seeking proposals in the following areas:
aspects of running an indexing business such as social media for marketing, profitability, project scheduling, website construction and management, connecting with clients and colleagues, etc.
technology related to indexing such as devices or equipment, non-indexing software, apps, or AI
improving/assessing index quality or usability from broad topics such as improving your speed to niche topics on specific languages, communities, or subjects
non-back-of-book indexing such as taxonomy, controlled vocabularies, thesaurus development
any niche or specialty topic you feel passionate about
A three-part course with Theresa Duran. Presented on October 11, 18, and 25, 2023.
Art books represent a thriving segment of the publishing industry. They encompass a variety of book categories—from coffee-table books to exhibition catalogues to academic or technical studies—and an even greater array of subjects. What art books all have in common is an abundance of illustrations. The indexer must understand the conventions pertaining to specific types of artworks and the expectations that clients might have about the indexing of images.
This three-part course offers a comprehensive guide to the glorious world of art books. It begins with an overview of the field, then dives straight into the thicket of artist names, art titles, captions, and illustration locators. It wraps up with practical tips and strategies for avoiding clashes with clients, troubleshooting common problems (particularly index length restrictions), and finding work. Each session is filled with examples from actual art books. Additional examples and resources are included in the handout.
The course is designed to benefit both novice indexers who are interested in breaking into the field and experienced indexers who would like to hone their skills and gain confidence in their approach. Some of the tactics covered can be applied to books in other disciplines.
Course Overview
Session 1 Art Books: The Big Picture
My background in art publishing
Types of art books and their challenges
Types of art publishers and indexing clients
Q&A
Session 2 Artworks, Artists, and Locators
Common image organization schemes
A to Z of art captions
Illustration locators
Treatment of art titles
Treatment of artists
Q&A
Session 3 Projects: Getting Started, Troubleshooting, Finding Work
Questions to ask at the start of a project
Managing length restrictions
Setting rates and bidding on projects
Getting established in the field
Resources
Q&A
Please note: Attendance at the live sessions is not required. Registration entitles you to “on demand” access to the course and unlimited repeat viewings after the initial sessions have aired.
About our Presenter Theresa Duran, PhD, is a former staff editor at a publishing house that specialized in art books, calendars, and other products for museum gift shops. She left that position in 2005 to become a full-time freelancer, offering indexing, copyediting, and proofreading services. In the past few years, Theresa has come to focus on the indexing of art books. A resident of Marin County, California, she is the current president of the American Society for Indexing (2023–24).
The Indexing Society of Canada / Société canadienne d’indexation (ISC/SCI) is pleased to announce the 2023 recipient of the Tamarack Award. Ronnie Seagren (Toronto) is being recognized for her contribution and commitment to the society.
Ronnie was chosen for her unflagging dedication to the society, willingness to always lend a helping hand, and dedication to diversity and inclusion in indexing.
Ronnie’s colleagues had the following to say about her:
[Ronnie’s] warmth of spirit and optimism are infectious and make the society a better place for all.
Ronnie brings hard work and joy to so many committees inside (and outside!) ISC/SCI. It’s been a pleasure to work with her.
I’m so pleased [Ronnie was] chosen to be the recipient of this year’s Tamarack Award. It is truly a well-deserved award.
“We are thrilled to present this award to Ronnie, and we are honoured to have her as a member of our society,” said Alexandra Peace and Jolanta Komornicka, Co-Presidents. “Thank you, Ronnie, for all you have given to the society and its membership.”
The Tamarack Award was instituted to recognize members who go “above and beyond the call of duty” in their volunteer work for the Society. Past recipients can be found on the website here: https://indexers.ca/tamarack-award-2/.
