1.3.3 Indexing

Most scholarly books and many substantial nonfiction works benefit from indexing. Depending on the nature of the work, this may include a subject index, an index of Thelemic or other primary texts, an index of scriptural citations, an index of rituals or technical terms, and, in some cases, an author index. Indexing is normally the author’s responsibility, though the editor should be consulted early if the work contains a large number of references or requires a specialized index.

Essays and short articles are not normally indexed unless an editor requests it for a specific reason. This is especially true for web publishing, where individual articles are usually made searchable through site search, tags, categories, metadata, and internal linking rather than through a formal index.

Indexing is a specialized editorial skill, and subject indexes in particular require judgment, restraint, and a strong sense of how readers will actually use the work. Authors may prepare their own indexes, since they know the material best, but professional indexers may be appropriate for longer or more complex books. Authors preparing an index for the first time should consult the indexing guidance in CMS17 §16 and §4: Indexing, and discuss expectations with the editor before beginning. Indexes are normally prepared from page proofs after pagination is final.