ASI News
—3-part embedded indexing course starts Oct. 14
—Guide helps authors, editors evaluate AI-generated indexes
—Key Words: Read up on legal indexing, use for AI in taxonomy creation
—Learning and sharing on the Playground
—Prep for Indexing Day
—Watch for details about ASI’s final webinar of the year
—Health coverage benefits—2027 enrollment opens soon
Did You Know?
—Tap into EDI resources
Associated Industry News
—Banned Books Week starts Oct. 4
Business and Marketing
—Try a one-page marketing plan
Spotlight on Abby Reisner
ASI News
3-part embedded indexing course starts Oct. 14
If you have been thinking about expanding your indexing skill set, there is time to register for ASI’s Online Learning Course on embedded indexing, which takes place Wednesdays, October 14, October 21, and October 28, 2026.
Embedded indexing involves inserting index entries directly into the text of a publication rather than creating a separate document. The process and software differ from traditional indexing, so instructor and longtime indexer Anne Fifer will break down what embedded indexing is and help indexers understand the complexities of the process.
Session 1: What is an embedded index? Learn about tags and their role in the source document and see demonstrations in MSWord and Adobe InDesign.
Session 2: Tools for embedded indexing, including Index Manager, TExtract, as well as publisher-specific platforms.
Session 3: The final session explores, among other things, the benefits of the workflow, which allows simultaneous editing and indexing and enables index creation to begin before the book is complete. Learn about file management requirements and how crucial it is to ensure the client understands the sanctity of the embedded entries.
Anne Fifer indexes trade books, encyclopedias, and medical books. She does embedded indexing using Index Manager and TExtract.
Each session lasts about an hour and starts at 10 a.m. Pacific/1 p.m. Eastern time.
Find more details and registration information on the ASI website.
Guide helps authors, editors evaluate AI-generated indexes
ASI’s AI Committee has released an eight-page guide for authors and editors on evaluating artificial intelligence-generated indexes.
While the committee’s research indicates that generative AI does not produce adequate book indexes, they recognize that some authors, editors, and software developers may prefer to personally verify this, so they created the guide as a quick, efficient way to evaluate an index for adequacy. The sections include accuracy, heading/subheading checks, cross-references, completeness and conciseness, and the metatopic.
Indexers can share the evaluation guide page with interested authors and editors.
The ASI AI Committee’s FAQs on AI and book indexing offer a helpful snapshot for anyone, including other indexers, with questions about the process.
Key Words: Read up on legal indexing, use for AI in taxonomy creation
The Fall issue of ASI’s quarterly journal, Key Words, is out this month and will feature articles on:
- Collaboration in legal indexing
- The 2026 ICRIS Triennial Meeting
- How generative AI can aid in taxonomy creation
- Indexing the natural sciences, with a focus on chemistry
- News from the publishing industry
Learning and sharing on the Playground
The Indexing Playground held in September focused on the subject specialties of environmental sciences (led by Meghan Wagner), race/ethnicity/Indigenous studies (led by Mylinh Hamlington), and literary criticism (led by Devon Thomas).
The informal setting of ASI’s Playgrounds gives indexers a chance to connect, swap tips, and learn from each other in relaxed small-groups.
And that is what attendees did.
In the environmental sciences breakout room, Meghan said attendees talked briefly about sources of work, both for indexing science and for indexing in general. There were also trivia breaks and discussions about word puzzles and online games—as well as hobbies—that indexers enjoy.
In the race/ethnicity/Indigenous studies room, Mylinh facilitated discussions about Indigenous peoples, including the accurate indexing of names and the value of using an Indigenous style guide. Attendees also touched on marketing and ideas for finding more clients.
Playgrounds are held several times a year. If you have an idea for a theme or would like to host a playground, contact Shannon Li or Gwen Henson.
Prep for Indexing Day
What would you say about the craft and career of indexing? Get ready to join with other indexers in promoting the field and raising awareness of the work and value of indexes on ASI’s third National Indexing Day next month.
November 18 was chosen because it is the anniversary of ASI’s first formal board meeting in 1968.
A few ideas for social media posts: What was the most difficult book you’ve ever indexed? When have you used information learned from a book you indexed? How do you manage the balance among clarity, coverage, and conciseness? When have the needs of a particular book led to changes in your approach?
Questions? Contact Outreach Committee chairperson Kimberly Israel.
Watch for details about ASI’s final webinar of the year
Sarahh Scher reveals how art materials and methods can be an effective tool for organizing an index and explains the basics of common art media in the December 2 webinar, “Al Fresco Isn’t Always a Dining Experience—Art materials and methods for indexers.”
Health coverage benefits—2027 enrollment opens soon
ASI members have access to health coverage solutions and personalized enrollment support through Gallagher. With Open Enrollment quickly approaching, this is your annual opportunity to review, compare, and select coverage that best fits your needs for 2027. These are the key enrollment dates:
- Medicare Annual Enrollment: October 15–December 7, 2026
- Under 65 Open Enrollment: November 1–December 15, 2026
- Coverage for Your Employees: Available year-round
Your member benefits include personalized health plan guidance; access to a wide range of carriers and plan options; and coverage solutions for individuals, families, and businesses. Plan options and costs can change each year, so even if you’re satisfied with your current coverage, it’s worth reviewing what’s available for 2027. Call 866-735-2841 to speak with an advisor or visit the ASI member webpage.
Did You Know?
Tap into EDI resources
The ASI website has a robust list of equity, diversity and inclusion resources. They are helpful in deepening knowledge and understanding of gendered language, use of disability terminology, and indexing names correctly.
Please check out this resource and more on ASI’s Reference Shelf.
Associated Industry News
Banned Books Week starts Oct. 4
“Let Books Be. Protect the Freedom to Read” is the theme of the 2026 Banned Books Week, which takes place October 4 through 10. Organizations, including the American Library Association, celebrate the freedom to read with events and advocacy.
More information is available on the Banned Books Week website.
Business and Marketing
Try a one-page marketing plan
Stephen Ullstrom is an award-winning indexer and member of both ASI and of Canada’s indexing society. His newsletter and blog, “Indexing Matters,” addresses many aspects of indexing, from the mechanics of it to the business side.
In a recent post, he detailed his thought process in drawing up a one-page marketing plan, with the help of strategies laid out by Austin Church of Freelance Cake
Stephen is focusing on:
- 3 Rs: Repeat business, Referrals, new Relationships
- Cold emailing
- Newsletter writing
For more on his process and ideas for your own marketing, check out Stephen’s full post and consider subscribing to Stephen’s newsletter. He writes at least two times a month and also has a monthly Q&A, where he answers readers’ questions.
Spotlight on Abby Reisner
This month’s Spotlight is on indexer and writer Abby Reisner.
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’m originally from northern Westchester County and now live in Brooklyn, New York, with my husband and toddler. No pets, but she’s taken a strong liking to dogs recently, so ask me again in a couple of years!
What is your educational background?
I have a BS in psychology and neuroscience from Yale University, and I subsequently completed a culinary school degree after college.
Do you have any hobbies, travels, volunteer work, or other interesting things to share?
If only I could be a professional hobbyist! I love all things books, baking, and fiber arts (particularly embroidery, cross stitch, and crochet). Travel has been slightly tougher with a growing family lately, but I just got back from a long weekend reading retreat in rural Scotland with some friends. My main interest is anything that involves being outside, especially running! I hold a Guinness World Record for “Fastest Marathon Dressed as a Vegetable (female)” and like to balance long hours of computer work with long trail runs or walks.
What kind of work did you do before you studied indexing? Are you still doing that or other work in addition to indexing?
I started out doing food writing and other editorial work for various digital media platforms and went on to write a cookbook about ranch dressing. Then I pivoted more towards tech, and I currently work as a product manager at New York Times Cooking.
What is a favorite strategy to help motivate or inspire when you are feeling stuck during a work project?
“Take a lap” is my motto, for everything from un-sticking an index project to a too-big pile of dishes. It helps to reset the brain and try again! Sometimes taking a shower also helps with inspiration.
When did you start indexing? When did you join ASI?
On a whim, I read Index, A History of the by Dennis Duncan in 2022. It was like a hand shot up through the pages and grabbed me in; indexing seemed to combine the creative and analytical parts of my brains in a way that felt like a perfect match. After finishing, I joined ASI and took the UC Berkeley indexing course to learn how to become an indexer myself.
For you, what is the best advantage of ASI membership?
Connecting with other indexers has been the most rewarding part of ASI membership. I was on the webmaster team for a few years before taking a break to have my daughter and loved getting to work with other indexers, help solve people’s technical problems, and see what everyone else was working on.
Items to be considered for the See Also newsletter should be submitted by the 15th of the month before publication. For November 2026 issue, please email SeeAlsoEditor@asindexing.org by October 15. Thank you.