So, it turns out that indexing is one of those activities that’s actually pretty easy to do…until you absolutely hit a wall and just can’t do it any more. A little like long-distance driving, for me at least. It definitely helps to know the material—it also helps that I was careful not to actually read the book again when I did the layout until now. Definitely when doing an index you don’t want to be so used to/tired of the material that you just say, “Oh, yeah, Jim again—he shows up a lot, no big deal.”
I’m indexing and doing a final read at the same time, which so far I think is working OK? I have found a couple of errors, some of which I’ll need to fix in the e-book, so I feel like I’m not completely worthless as a proofreader just yet.
I did the Introduction and Part 1 before I hit the wall, and if the schedule allows I’ll probably be able to do Part 2 in one day and Part 3&4 in one. Then it’s a matter of getting the cover ready, and I’ll have a print book!