Paula Clarke Bain
LightNews LightNews
banner
baindex.org
Paula Clarke Bain
@baindex.org
2.8K followers 3.8K following 820 posts
Book indexer, editor, boss at baindex.org | Society of Indexers Chair and Fellow | CIEP APM | Cryptic crossword novice setter Pixie | Stockport, UK

🧚🏻 www.mycrossword.co.uk/Pixie

See also
@indexers.bsky.social
www.indexers.org.uk
#IndexSky
Posts Replies Media Videos
Pinned
baindex.org
Paula Clarke Bain @baindex.org · Jan 7
More talk this week on AI vs human indexing. The book ‘INDEX, A History of the’ by @djbduncan.bsky.social has two indexes – a computer-generated one by automated software, and an index created by a human indexer (me). They are really not the same.
(See also @indexers.bsky.social and #IndexSky.)
A sample of the automated index from Dennis Duncan’s INDEX book, set in two columns: APPENDIX: A COMPUTER-GENERATED INDEX acquaintance, familiar, 148 acrostic form, 30 Acrosticks, 147 acrostics, 30 alphabetic, 29 Active indexes, 254 activity, 12, 58 extra-curricular, 97 Addison, 156–57, 186 hauling, 156 skewering, 157 Addison’s Book, 156 Addison’s Grand Tours, 159 Addison’s words, 156 ad hoc verbal guidepost, 255 Adjective Relative, 156 adjustment, small, 105 Adler, 203 Irene, 203 administrative apparatus, 22 admired Christopher Eccleston, 138 affectations, 30 afoot, 144, 217 Africa, 92 After-Burden, 167 afterthought, 96 Againe, 27 Agatha Christie, 39 age, 2–3, 6–7, 9, 137–38, 169–70, 186, 205, 208, 229, 232–33, 251, 254, 256 industrious, 228 old, 12 twenty-first-century, 233 age finding, 6 agent, 213 estate, 76 age of search, 51, 230, 251 age sticking, 185 aggressive coachmen, 162 Agoa, 243 Agrigento, 142 aid, 28, 30, 62, 67, 117, 191 visual, 66 A sample of the first page of the human indexer's index from Dennis Duncan’s INDEX book, set in two columns. Index Note to the gentle Reader: Page numbers in italic indicate figures. Page numbers in the form 273n1 indicate endnotes. Entries are sorted in letter-by-letter order, except where noted. This index was created by Paula Clarke Bain, who is a professional indexer and a human being. [PCB] A, a, a 77,78,79 abbreviations 38, 40, 72, 78, 79, 242 ABC Murders, The (Christie) 39 abecedaria 28, 29, 35 Abish, Walter, Alphabetical Africa 39 abstracting 4, 245, 248 accuracy 15, 64, 98, 100, 178, 252 acrostics 29, 30, 147, 311 active indexes 254 Addison, Joseph 30, 156–7, 159, 174, 186 loathes acrostics 30 portrait 154 Remarks on Several Parts of Italy 156–7 Spectator indexes 173–7 addresses to reader see introductory notes ‘Adventures of a Quire of Paper’ 171–2, 174 advertisements 42, 101, 176, 183, 186, 214, 249 Aeneid (Virgil) 39, 242, 243 Aesop's Fables 144, 146 agencies, indexing 260, 296–7n22 Age of Distraction 9, 251 Age of Enlightenment 170 Age of Industry 205-6 Age of Search 51, 233, 251 see also search Agoa, Helen S. 243 AI (Artificial Intelligence) 2, 254 aide-mémoire 66, 126 Aitken, Jonathan, goes to jail 137 Akraiphia stones 36 Aldus Manutius, Dictionarium graecum 110 Alexander of Ashby, De artificioso modo predicandi 49 Alexander the Great 30, 93 Alexandria see Library of Alexandria algorithms 100, 233, 251, 258 Alice stories (Carroll) 177–8, 180, 181 alphabet Cyrillic 45–6 Greek 29, 36, 71, 89 Hebrew 29 history of alphabets 28–30 Latin 29
Reposted by Paula Clarke Bain
indexers.bsky.social
Bookings are now open for #SIConf26, online from 11-12 November. Join us to discuss how as indexers we can connect and collaborate. Explore the programme and book your place via buff.ly/aoZu0RT
Conference 2026 ‘On the Same Page’
Conference programme The Society of Indexers' 2026 online conference will take place via Zoom on 11–12 November 2026. We will have a full programme over two day
www.indexers.org.uk
September 14, 2026 at 12:10 PM
baindex.org
Enjoying the CIEP Conference 2026 ‘More than words: The evolving role of the editorial professional’. Today I present ‘Index in progress: The ancient art and modern science of book indexing’. Past, present, future, with tips, exercises and cautionary tales.
#CIEP2026 #IndexSky
@the-ciep.bsky.social
Colour promo flyer with a blurred background photo of delegates at a conference and an inset circular headshot photo of a smiling brunette woman (Paula Clarke Bain) as a speaker. CIEP Conference 2026 11 and 12 September In-person | online I'm speaking at the CIEP Conference 2026 Join us at ciep.uk #CIEP2026 ciep logo Chartered Institute of Editing and Proofreading A CIEP conference lanyard and delegate badge for Paula Clarke Bain Delegate speaker on top of an exercises handout with the Society of Indexers logo .
September 12, 2026 at 8:49 AM
baindex.org
Anyone have any indexing horror stories they care to share please for a presentation I’m doing soon? Like what can happen between index submission and what actually got printed in the book. I do have some examples of my own, which still make me shudder. 😱 #IndexSky
Black and white still image from the 1935 film Bride of Frankenstein of Elsa Lanchester with a white lightning streak in her dark conical hairdo. She is looking upwards and screaming.
August 29, 2026 at 6:20 PM
baindex.org
Great to have another Fellow of the Society of Indexers @indexers.bsky.social, the highest membership grade, requiring proven CPD, self-evaluation and tutor feedback on a published index. Well done and congratulations, Tanya @tanyaizzard.bsky.social.
tanyaizzard.bsky.social Tanya Izzard @tanyaizzard.bsky.social · Aug 27
Very pleased to be able to say that I am now a Fellow of the Society of Indexers.

Although there is no special Fellow regalia, I do get a new badge for my website and online profiles.
Society of Indexers Fellow
August 28, 2026 at 9:57 AM
Reposted by Paula Clarke Bain
indexers.bsky.social
Today's the deadline to submit your proposal for our 2026 conference. #SIConf26 will be held online on 11 and 12 November, and our theme this year is collaboration in indexing. Find out more and submit your proposal via www.indexers.org.uk/training-dev...
Conference 2026 ‘On the Same Page’
Call for contributions The Society of Indexers invites contributions for our 2026 online conference, taking place via Zoom on 11–12 November 2026. We will have
www.indexers.org.uk
August 24, 2026 at 8:30 AM
baindex.org
Blown away by The Cure at Wythenshawe Park in Manchester. Robert Smith in fine form and that voice. Phenomenal. 🖤
The Cure on stage at Wythenshawe Park in Manchester, UK. Two large screens each side of the stage show the singer Robert Smith. The cloudy sky is turning orange in a beautiful sunset. The Cure on stage at Wythenshawe Park with singer Robert Smith in close-up on the side screens. The stage is lit in purple and green against the dark night sky and park trees. A large screen behind the band shows a spider in a web for the song ‘Lullaby’.
August 22, 2026 at 3:21 PM
Reposted by Paula Clarke Bain
indexers.bsky.social
Do you have something to say about collaboration in book indexing? Propose a plenary talk, a breakout session or a lightning talk for #SIConf26! This takes place online on 11 & 12 November, and our theme is collaboration. Find out more and submit your proposal via buff.ly/rE0nbGI
Conference 2026 ‘On the Same Page’
Call for contributions The Society of Indexers invites contributions for our 2026 online conference, taking place via Zoom on 11–12 November 2026. We will have
www.indexers.org.uk
August 6, 2026 at 1:27 PM
baindex.org
An enjoyably lively Zoom chat on passing mentions with @indexers.bsky.social yesterday, sharing the 300 years of experience between the attendees. I was about a twelfth of that total. #IndexSky
indexers.bsky.social Society of Indexers @indexers.bsky.social · Aug 5
For this morning’s Talking about the Past Zoom session, 22 indexers – with about 300 years of cumulative indexing experience between them – met to discuss passing mentions.
August 6, 2026 at 10:57 AM
Reposted by Paula Clarke Bain
nicolaking.bsky.social
OMG @djbduncan.bsky.social @baindex.org - an airport read now!
gertjanbartelds.nl Gert-Jan Bartelds @gertjanbartelds.nl · Aug 2
@dsfpspacefl1ght.bsky.social Bought this at Bodrum airport, waiting for our flight back home. Should be fun.
August 3, 2026 at 7:36 AM
baindex.org
British Pork from SNL UK. What’s it got? It’s got the lot. Love to see this official upload at last and still willing George Fouracres on to the end. #SNLUK
www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWdQ...
British Pork: It’s Got the Lot | SNL UK
YouTube video by Saturday Night Live UK
www.youtube.com
August 1, 2026 at 9:32 AM
baindex.org
Indexer on a train, July 2026. Heading to London to represent @indexers.bsky.social in a publishing vodcast / video podcast. Will share more details when it’s out. #IndexSky
View from a train window of blue sky, green trees and yellow grass. On the train seat table are a black travel mug, blue pen, teal notebook and a paperback copy of the book They by Kay Dick.
July 28, 2026 at 9:17 AM
Reposted by Paula Clarke Bain
gwedlid.bsky.social
RIP Bill Oddie.

Legend.
July 27, 2026 at 9:25 AM
Reposted by Paula Clarke Bain
indexers.bsky.social
What are the distinctive challenges of indexing books about music or dance? Our Coffee Morning on 16 July looked at this topic, with presentations by Marian Aird, @baindex.org, and Pauline Hubner.
July 22, 2026 at 9:01 AM
baindex.org
This wood pigeon landed on my head earlier. Is that lucky? 🐦
Photo of a wood pigeon standing on the edge of a round metallic garden table and looking at the camera by a fence covered in green Virginia creeper.
July 25, 2026 at 6:11 PM
Reposted by Paula Clarke Bain
indexers.bsky.social
How can indexers work best with books that cover challenging or upsetting subjects? Indexer @tanyaizzard.bsky.social discusses ways to support yourself if you're working with material you find difficult:
buff.ly/GMf5ZeX
Indexing difficult topics
There are all sorts of books about topics that indexers might find difficult. There are histories and memoirs of atrocities and traumas; medical textbooks descr
www.indexers.org.uk
July 21, 2026 at 8:20 AM
baindex.org
Manchester Recorder Orchestra
return to Buxton Festival Fringe for their silver anniversary (25th) #BuxtonFringe concert tonight. I’ll be tootling my tenor again.
@buxtonfringe.bsky.social
Buxton Festival Fringe 2026 programme entry and photo of MRO conductor and players. MRO SILVER ANNIVERSARY Manchester Recorder Orchestra Fringe veterans and 2025 Music category winners the Manchester Recorder Orchestra return for their silver anniversary (25th) Fringe concert performing a variety of music for large recorder ensemble. The programme includes the well-known Bach Toccata and Fugue, Blooz (!), atmospheric contemporary arrangements and a brand-new symphony featuring solo Sylphyo. (New Writing) Trinity Church 18 Jul 7:30pm to 9:30pm £10 (Child Free, Conc £9), Ages 8+ Tickets on the door.
July 18, 2026 at 12:37 PM
baindex.org
A full night of comedy delights at Buxton Working Men’s Club (or underneath it) from Barrel of Laughs and then local/global legend Kate Butch. I love Buxton Fringe. 😻
@buxtonfringe.bsky.social
@undergroundvenues.bsky.social
@thekatebutch.bsky.social
Drag queen Kate Butch on the Underground stage at Buxton Working Men’s Club in a black wig, glittery heels and a dress covered in cats.
July 18, 2026 at 9:17 AM
baindex.org
An enjoyable Coffee Morning Zoom today with @indexers.bsky.social (with thanks to host Ruth Martin). Marian Aird, Pauline Hubner and I presented on indexing books on music and dance. Here’s a few of my trickier indexes on Stephen Dodgson, Josephine Baker and Katherine Dunham. #IndexSky
Front cover of the book Born by the Thames: Stephen Dodgson – A Centenary Celebration (eds Oliver Chandler and Thomas Hyde). It features a black and white photo of the composer. An index page from the book Born by the Thames, showing the end of the alphabetical works index, and the start of the works index by instrument/type. Front cover of the book Josephine Baker and Katherine Dunham: Dances in Literature and Culture by Hannah Durkin. The cover features a black and white photo of each dancer. An index page from the book Josephine Baker and Katherine Dunham, showing the lengthy entry for Baker, Josephine and its surrounding entries.
July 16, 2026 at 6:46 PM
Reposted by Paula Clarke Bain
kathyburke.bsky.social
At least we don’t have to listen to wonderwall.
July 15, 2026 at 9:05 PM
baindex.org
What a picture. This moorland wildfire smoke is sometimes blowing our way (Stockport, Greater Manchester). I have stocked up on face masks.
metjam.co.uk MetJam @metjam.co.uk · Jul 14
Prolonged dry and hot weather mixed with a keen easterly to north-easterly wind leads to a rapid spread of wildfires. This picture, taken by Christopher Furlong, showing Manchester coated in smoke, is unlike any picture I've ever seen from this country - extraordinary.
July 15, 2026 at 5:08 PM
Reposted by Paula Clarke Bain
jenwilliamsft.bsky.social
Manchester smells like it’s been barbecued
July 15, 2026 at 9:08 AM
baindex.org
And another vote here for ‘Yes, we do have to read the whole book’.
@indexers.bsky.social #IndexSky
July 14, 2026 at 1:47 PM
Reposted by Paula Clarke Bain
mcnaughtans.co.uk
In the absence of an index, simply read the book cover to cover several times, advises William Robb, enfeebled author.
July 4, 2026 at 3:56 PM
Reposted by Paula Clarke Bain
skirwingle.bsky.social
A great actor is all men, somehow (3,5)
#cryptic #crossword
July 13, 2026 at 7:59 AM
baindex.org
I’ve been sent this several times already for some reason. From today’s Guardian cryptic crossword 30,054 set by Brendan.
www.theguardian.com/crosswords/c...
Screenshot of Guardian cryptic crossword grid no. 30,054. Set by: Brendan Thu 9 Jul 2026 00.00 BST The highlighted clue is: 9 Across Last part of book, perhaps, some find exciting (5)
July 9, 2026 at 11:17 AM