Base Rates

The base rate is for indexing commitments arranged 30 days or more in advance of when indexing page proofs are expected. I’m happy to accept last minute job offers when my calendar is open, but it does fill up fast and often. I generally do not guarantee my availability until I have the date that page proofs are expected. Most indexes can be produced in four weeks, which is in line with most publisher requirements. Please do not hesitate to contact me with any questions or concerns.

Your publisher should be able to tell you when page proofs are expected well in advance of the expected due date. All rates are by the page, but differ depending on the type of publisher. Page count includes front matter (introduction and the preface, if it includes more information than how the book came to be written); notes and epilogue, if there are any.

• $5.50 a page for books published by fully (gold) open access publishers; by independent and small presses; and self-published works
• $6.00 a page for all other books

Rush Rate

Rush rate is for indexing commitments arranged with less than 30 days notice. The rush rate applies to all publications.

• $6.50 a page – page count includes front matter (introduction and the preface, if the preface covers more than how the book came to be published); and back matter (afterward, epilogue, and endnotes)
• $5.00 a page for skeleton indexes – fewer subheadings, less structure, or proper names only

Review draft

I allow all clients two days to review, comment on, and suggest changes to the index before delivering the publisher file to the author or publisher. It is important that authors are available during the four days prior to the index due date to review the index.  I can turn around most changes in 24-48 hours. Additional changes are billed at $40.00 an hour. Guidelines for viewing the draft index are at Instructions for Viewing the Draft Index.

Availability

To guarantee my availability, I need the information below. Most production editors should be able to provide this information months in advance:

• Date the page proofs are expected from the publisher
• Date the index is due
• Book information – full title, publisher, estimated page length of page proofs