In this episode of the Self-Publishing with ALLi Podcast, Anna Featherstone speaks with professional indexer Madeleine Davis, president of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Indexers. Together, they explore the critical role of indexes in nonfiction books, discussing why authors should consider investing in professional indexing, the process of creating an index, and how a great index can enhance the usability and longevity of a book. Davis also shares fascinating insights from her career, tips for working with indexers, and even some lighthearted moments from the world of indexing.

Let’s take a pause from talking about TikTok bans (I will inevitably be back there on Thursday when we find out more about the actual new landscape). First up, an opportunity to celebrate some good news: the exposure of a major publishing scam. It’s always satisfying to report on the downfall of a scam, and thank you to Victoria Strauss at Writer Beware for such a detailed account of three arrests and charges for people allegedly behind a multimillion-dollar scam masquerading as publisher services.

When Rachel Thompson writes about trauma, she knows firsthand the power of words to heal—but also to harm. As a survivor of childhood sexual abuse, she’s experienced how stories can evoke deep emotions, sometimes unexpectedly. That’s why she includes content warnings (also known as trigger warnings) in her books. “Books have the power to move, challenge, and heal,” she said. “But they can also evoke difficult emotions. Including a trigger warning is a way to extend care and consideration to our readers.”