ASI News
—Join indexers on the Playground
—Be aware of ASI-targeted scam
—Statement on artificial intelligence and indexing available
—Web team member needed
—Indexing Awards deadline nears
Chapters and SIGS
—DPI SIG meets August 7
Associated Industry News
—ISC/SCI: Apply for Diversity in Indexing Bursary
Business and Marketing
—New law’s effects on business owners
Spotlight on Caitlin Morgan
ASI News
Join indexers on the Playground
There will be something for everyone at ASI’s next Indexing Playground, on Wednesday, August 27, at 10 a.m. Pacific /1 p.m. Eastern.
The Playgrounds are an opportunity for ASI members to informally gather online with peers and chat about indexing and running a business.
The Zoom call will be divided into four breakout rooms:
- Indexing During Naptime: Indexing around children’s schedules.
- Indexing into the Sunset: When the retirement years are upon you.
- Turning Peanuts into Caviar: Growing your business from a side job to your main job.
- Recess: A digital sandbox with no agenda.
You are welcome to stay in one room or move among the rooms.
Watch your email for the Zoom link about a week before. More information is available here.
Be aware of ASI-targeted scam
A scam involving requests for money or gift cards has been targeting ASI members.
Emails have recently been sent in the names of board members and chapter leaders, asking members to provide gift cards or payments through third-party platforms, to later be reimbursed by ASI.
The ASI administration, board members, or chapter/SIG leaders will never make such requests of members, said ASI President Jen Weers. Any such request can be assumed to be fraudulent.
If you suspect you are being targeted, here are steps to take:
- Do not reply directly to suspicious emails or click on any links.
- Check the validity of email addresses. You can use ASI website’s member directory to see if the actual email address of the named sender matches that of the email address you received. Check chapter/SIG contacts here. Additionally, emails sent from ASI staff or board positions will include the domain name @asindexing.org.
- Report suspicious or fraudulent correspondence, which in Gmail is done by clicking the Report Spam button (stop sign with exclamation sign), next to the trash can. More information is available here.
The Federal Trade Commission has an article on the gift card scam, and on reporting suspected fraud.
Statement on artificial intelligence and indexing available
The Digital Publications Indexing SIG has developed a Statement on the Role of AI in Indexing, asserting, in part:
“The current assessment is that using large language model AIs (LLMs) such as ChatGPT to generate indexes does not produce results that come anywhere near meeting standards for excellence in Indexing.”
The full statement points out the shortcomings in indexes created by current LLMs, including under-indexing and deficits in index structure.
Templates are available for those who want to add an AI statement to their websites or to client materials.
This statement was developed in concert with ASI’s AI Committee, which was formed to investigate, document, and respond to potential impacts of artificial intelligence on indexing. It is chaired by Elizabeth Bartmess with support from Michele Combs and Jola Komornicka.
Full information on the committee and its initiatives is here.
Web team member needed
The ASI volunteer webmaster committee is looking for new team members. The committee currently has three active members and is looking for a fourth to round out the team. A fifth “backup” team member to fill in occasionally is also welcome.
If you enjoy updating and tinkering with your own website, the webmaster team could be a great way to volunteer with ASI. The team shares the light workload across one-week shifts each month, and it’s a great way to get involved, meet other ASI members, and contribute to ASI’s mission. Duties include monitoring email (screening spam and sending timely responses), updating the website (WordPress and basic HTML), and keeping other team members updated. No experience is necessary, but some basic familiarity with WordPress and light tech support is preferred.
If you are interested, please contact the team.
Indexing Awards deadline nears
August 29 is the last day for ASI members to submit an index for the 2025 ASI Indexing Awards contest.
Indexers should submit a final PDF version (publisher’s copy) of a book that was indexed with a publication date of 2024 for consideration in either the trade book or scholarly/technical categories. An Honorable Mention award may also be awarded at the judges’ discretion.
Each first-place winner receives $500. There is a $35 entry fee.
Complete information on the criteria, submission rules, and the judging process is available here.
Questions regarding the ASI Awards process can be directed to chairperson Heidi Winston.
Chapters and SIGS
DPI SIG meets August 7
Members of the Digital Publications Indexing Special Interest Group will meet for a Zoom get-together on Thursday August 7, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. Pacific time.
The DPI SIG is a forum for indexers who are interested in all aspects of indexing and indexes for digital publications. This includes embedded indexing, website indexes, and mounting of indexes on the web.
There is no set agenda for the meeting–it is an opportunity to catch up with each other and discuss indexing developments.
Visit DPI’s website for more information.
Information about all of ASI’s SIGs is available here.
Associated Industry News
ISC/SCI: Apply for Diversity in Indexing Bursary
The Indexing Society of Canada (ISC/SCI) is accepting applications for its Diversity in Canadian Publishing Bursary through September 30, 2025.
The bursary is part of ISC/SCI’s program focused on increasing diverse voices in the Canadian publishing industry to help achieve equality of opportunity for aspiring indexers belonging to underrepresented and/or marginalized groups.
The bursary will be granted to one person and will cover fees for an approved indexing program, two years of ISC/SCI membership, and entry into the mentorship program.
An information session about the bursary will be held during the third week of September. Full information about the session and the application process is here.
Business and Marketing
New law’s effects on business owners
The Freelancers Union offers a look at the recently passed federal bill and its expected impact on independent workers. It includes:
- Permanent extension of the 20 percent Qualified Business Income (QBI) deduction for pass-through income. This applies to sole proprietorships, LLCs, and S-corporations.
- Increasing the 1099 reporting threshold for payments for services performed by an independent contractor or subcontractor from $600 to $2,000. This measure is intended to reduce paperwork, but all income must still be reported when filing taxes.
There is a separate article on how the new law could affect health care accessibility and costs through the Affordable Care Act.
Spotlight on Caitlin Morgan
This month’s Spotlight is on Caitlin Morgan, owner of Morgan Indexing.
If you would like to be in the Spotlight, or would like to nominate someone for it, please contact Laurie Hlavaty.
Where do you live now? Where are you originally from? Do you share your home with pets or family?
I live in Albany, Oregon, with my husband, two children (ages 8 and 11) and our dog, Rosie.
What is your educational background?
I have bachelor degrees in English and Psychology, a master of science in Counseling, and a master of Library Science.
Do you have any hobbies, travels, volunteer work, or other interesting things to share?
I love to take advantage of the beautiful place I live by spending time outdoors, especially hiking and stand-up paddleboarding. I also have been known to volunteer to help coach my kids’ sports teams. So far, I have coached volleyball, basketball, and baseball. I always love a good book, especially escaping into a compelling thriller or mystery.
What kind of work did you do before you studied indexing? Are you still doing that or other work in addition to indexing?
I work as an academic advisor and counselor at a community college. Although I am continuing to work in this role, I have been able to scale back my hours as a result of indexing. My day job is highly interpersonal, which can become draining. I have found that the intellectual challenge and constant learning that indexing provides is a welcome addition. I feel more energized and as if I have a better balance now that I’ve been able to fit indexing into the equation.
What is one of your favorite strategies to help motivate or inspire when you are feeling stuck during a work project?
I have definitely found the value of taking a break, usually in the form of getting outside for a walk. It is amazing how many solutions to sticky problems will reveal themselves just by shifting focus for a bit.
My other strategy is to change tasks. If I find myself reading and re-reading the same paragraph and struggling to index efficiently, I might switch to editing for a while. On the other hand, if I am on a roll and don’t want to stop to research something in the moment, I’ll make a note to come back to it later. In this way, I can always keep moving, but since the task at hand is changing periodically, I still feel fresh for whatever I am working on.
When did you start indexing? When did you join ASI?
I completed the Berkeley Indexing course in fall of 2023, then spent some time working on practice indexes, researching the profession, and preparing to launch my business. I joined ASI and the Pacific Northwest (PNW) Chapter in April 2024. In May 2024, I booked my first project!
For you, what is the best advantage of ASI membership?
My belief in the benefits of participating in professional organizations stemmed from my experience as a counselor. For this reason, as soon as I decided to pursue indexing, I knew I wanted to join ASI. The benefits of ASI membership have far surpassed my expectations, even though they were high to begin with.
I would say that the best advantage is the opportunity to connect with other indexers. I have found the community of professional indexers to be incredibly supportive and generous in sharing their time, wisdom, and encouragement. I have learned so much through the discussion groups and by participating in meetings, both by asking my own questions and hearing the problems and solutions offered by other indexers. I have received job opportunities and subcontracting gigs through my ASI connections. I have received valuable feedback on indexes that I created. I have been fortunate to receive indexing books passed along to me from a retiring colleague. I decided to volunteer as co-treasurer for the PNW Chapter out of this immense gratitude I feel for ASI and the desire to pay it forward.
Items to be considered for the See Also newsletter should be submitted by the 15th of the month before publication. For September 2025 issue, please email SeeAlsoEditor@asindexing.org by August 15. Thank you.