Rates and Scheduling

As each book is unique, the cost of drafting an index cannot be automatically determined. Before indexing your book I will provide you with a quote for your book that will take a number of factors into consideration:

• project size / number of indexable words and images

• discipline / complexity of the material

• space allotted for index 

• time allotted for index production

• audiences for the book

• press formatting requirements

• and any unusual considerations 

A standard academic monograph of 100,000 indexable words (Introduction to Conclusion plus any end/footnotes) runs between $1,800-$3,000 depending upon the factors listed above. 

 

​I use ​the word count of the text I will be indexing  (introduction through to conclusions including end/footnotes) to estimate the cost. You may be searching for an indexer well in advance of when your book will have been copyedited and typeset. Many authors book me when they submit their manuscript to their publisher which is about three months before they need the index or have been given any dates by the publisher. 

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Rush projects, also known as "I need an index now!" are considered if there is an opening in my schedule. It's best to schedule your index as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.