Here at PI, we occasionally need working up a proposal for a periodical indexing job. Lots of book indexers also index professional journals, magazines, newspapers, and other periodicals. The publishers count on indexers to do annual indexes as well as longer cumulative indexes for these publications. The big challenge for these indexes is to provide […]
Tools for Working on the Go
One of the oft-touted benefits of freelance life is the ability to work anywhere. (Of course, being expected to work anywhere can be one of its drawbacks!) While my home office is the easiest and most comfortable place for me to work, it’s not always a possibility. Sometimes, I even find getting out of the house is the best way to overcome “indexer’s block.” There are […]
Time Management: When you Can’t, Don’t
I recently wrote about time management, saying I like to do as much as I can, when I can. Life is unpredictable, and I need the security of knowing I’ve built in some emergency buffer. Focus is also easier when there’s a ticking clock—kind of a short-term version of deadline pressure—or when I know I only have to […]
Time Management: Have Children?
I am a notorious time management junkie, one of those people who procrastinates by reading blogs about doing everything better and faster, whose favorite thing about the Harry Potter universe is Hermione’s time-turner. Talk about multitasking! Multitasking is one thing I don’t do well—and I think we’re all starting to realize it’s not a good tactic. In the […]
Setting Boundaries with Clients
After an interesting conversation with a PI partner on Skype, I looked back and saw a blog post on setting boundaries that needed expression. I remember from when I started my freelance book indexing business the feeling of not wanting to turn down any jobs, because, who knows if another one would show up to […]
Expert, Generalist, or Somewhere in Between?
One of the fun things about indexing — yes, it’s a fun job! — is learning about subjects I wouldn’t otherwise. In my spare time, I’d rather read a young adult novel than a book about party politics or programming apps. But on the job, I do read about just about every subject imaginable (indexers […]
