It’s the day when publishers launch books they want you to buy for Christmas, for yourself or as gifts. Over 500 titles this year according to The Guardian. Not all non-fiction, but a significant proportion of titles that need an index because they contain information that readers might want to look up; think cookery, gardening, self-help, history, biography, science etc. etc. etc.

Of course, a book isn’t just for Christmas and they are launched all round the year. If you’re writing or publishing non-fiction, make sure it includes a good index. Use a qualified, experienced, indexer, such as those listed in the Society of Indexers Directory. Good quality indexes help sell books. Readers do check them out before buying a book. Librarians and academics also check them before purchasing for their libraries. Don’t let your readers down by having poor quality indexes, they are just as bad as not having an index.