ASI News
—ASI to hold special virtual event—Now is the Winter for Indexing Content
—Health Insurance Open Enrollment Period
Chapters/SIGS
—Leader needed for History/Archaeology SIG
—New leader for Gardening/Environmental Sciences SIG
—PNW Fall Meeting
Business and Marketing
—Does Reedsy.com hold a place for indexers?
—Indexing tech to keep an eye on: PubIndex takes a stand
Spotlight Jennifer Spanier
ASI News
Exiting 2020: Now is the Winter for Indexing Content.
ASI to hold special virtual event.
On Saturday, December 5, the American Society for Indexing is excited to bring together four top speakers who will share indexing content you need for your business. During this unexpected time, honing your career is a smart practice. Conveniently, you can join this virtual event from the comfort of your home or office computer via Zoom.
Take this opportunity to enhance your skills and stay competitive in 2021. Workshops include How to Approach the Text with Ina Gravitz, How to Build a Great Website with JoAnne Burek, Textbook Indexing with Cheryl Lenser, and Further Thoughts about Speed in Indexing with Kate Mertes. Visit the event webpage for more information.
2021 Open Enrollment Period for new health coverage options is here!
As a member of the American Society for Indexing, you have exclusive access to affordable health insurance options for you, your family, and your business/employees from our partner, LIG Solutions.
Important Dates to Remember:
Over 65: Medicare Enrollment started October 15 and runs to December 7, 2020.
Under 65: General Open Enrollment starts November 1 and runs to December 15, 2020.
Business: Coverage for Employer-sponsored LIG Group HRA can start at any time.
Chapters/SIGS
Leader needed for History/Archaeology SIG
The current manager of the History/Archaeology special interest group, Aelfwine Mischler, has had to step down from her role due to personal reasons (don’t worry, not health-related). Shannon Li will be filling in for Aelfwine until the end of the year. At that time, the SIG will be looking for a long-term replacement. If you are interested, please contact the SIG at historySIG@asindexing.org and visit the SIG leader information resource on the ASI website here for more information regarding the opportunity.
New leader for Gardening/Environmental Sciences SIG
Please welcome Daniel Heila as the new member leader of the Gardening/Environmental Sciences Special Interest Group. Daniel is a newbie indexer (UC Berkeley 2019) who is enjoying getting involved with ASI as he builds his indexing portfolio. He is a life‑long gardener who has been involved with the organic agriculture movement since the late 80s and currently practices the no-dig method of gardening. Please visit the Gardening/Environmental Sciences special interest group’s website for more information on how to join the SIG.
PNW Fall Meeting
Back on September 26, the Pacific Northwest Chapter of ASI had a meeting with office ergonomics as the topic. Several chapter members had previously agreed to allow access to their work stations. A Zoom tour through the workstations, with each member discussing their setup and the products involved, revealed some surprising approaches to office arrangement and identified definite standards for indexers like gooseneck lamps, footrests, sit down/stand up desks, and others. A breakdown of each setup with specifics for many of the products used is available at this link.
Business and Marketing:
Does Reedsy.com hold a place for indexers?
It is probably not well known that Reedsy.com, is home to a small showing of indexer/editors. Reedsy’s mission is to “change the way books are published by giving authors and publishers access to talented professionals…” ASI member, Maria Sosnowski, is one of Reedsy’s hidden indexers (hidden because there is no Indexer search keyword, only Editor). She is the author of a pro indexing article available for reading on the Reedsy blog. Maria has this to say about her time on Reedsy:
"I got involved with Reedsy several years ago when they were still fairly new and didn’t have a lot of indexers in their pool…the books I’ve done have been mostly pretty fun self-help type things so they are easy and go quickly. It can be really satisfying to help a first-time self-publishing author finish their book. On the negative side, the range of writing/editing quality runs the gamut…[you will] have to answer a lot of questions, have slipping schedules, and hear from people who want you to do their index dirt cheap. [In addition,] the fees from using the site take 13% of what you charge."
Indexing tech to keep an eye on: PubIndex takes a stand
PubHub, an end‑to‑end publishing suite of applications, has released PubIndex, its in‑browser indexing application. PubHub (and its parent company, Apex Covantage, out of India) develop technologies that “strike the optimal balance between the processing power of the computer and the cognitive power of the human mind.” The strongest feature of the application is the ability to open the file to be indexed in the same window as the index application thereby enabling drag‑and‑drop entry creation, greatly reducing typing time. From PubHub:
“The technology was created by publishing automation pros to revolutionize indexing by taking all the hassles away. The platform puts your index directly into the manuscript and automates the tedious tasks that have traditionally burdened indexing.”
Time and indexer experience will tell if PubIndex is truly a player in the indexing application field.
Spotlight Jennifer Spanier
If you would like to be in the Spotlight, or would like to nominate someone for it, please contact Daniel Heila.
Where do you live now? Where are you originally from? Do you share your home with pets or family?
I live in rural central Vermont, not far from the New Hampshire border. I’ve lived in several states but grew up primarily in southwestern Pennsylvania. I share my home with my husband, a cat, two dogs, and 14 chickens. There is also abundant wildlife, including bears. I have two grown children who live elsewhere.
What is your educational background?
I hold a PhD in the Biological Sciences and an MS in Library and Information Science.
Do you have any hobbies, travels, volunteer work, or other interesting things to share?
My hobbies are reading (of course), health and fitness, and appreciating nature. I also love travel—including visiting family in other parts of the country—when we are not in a pandemic.
What kind of work did you do before you studied indexing? Are you still doing that or other work in addition to indexing?
Originally, I worked as a research biologist. I then spent several years as a stay‑at‑home mom. During that time, I volunteered to help other mothers with breastfeeding and edited a newsletter called Breastfeeding Abstracts for La Leche League. My interest in science information led me to library school where I learned about indexing. I went on to study indexing while working as a reference librarian in a public library.
When did you start indexing? When did you join ASI?
I joined ASI in 2008 while taking the USDA Basic Indexing course. I finished the course and started indexing in 2009. I attended my first ASI conference (in Portland, Oregon) that year as well.
For you, what is the best advantage of ASI membership?
For me, the best advantage of ASI membership is the feeling of community. This was especially important to me when I was getting started in indexing but continues to this day. I am constantly learning from my ASI colleagues.
Finally, what is your best coping strategy for the pandemic?
My best coping strategy for the pandemic is getting plenty of exercise, especially outdoors. I’ve been doing lots of running, yoga, hiking, and kayaking. This winter I hope to do lots of snowshoeing.
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