Paula Clarke Bain
@baindex.org
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
🧚🏻 www.mycrossword.co.uk/Pixie
See also
@indexers.bsky.social
www.indexers.org.uk
#IndexSky
Pinned
Paula Clarke Bain
@baindex.org
· Jan 7
![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](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:gzwmosuuqyrfklzlp75d55ur/bafkreid5z5vuy7hshmszd54xlxffju2lxlbasjncg7vd5zhpjlpi6s4sja@jpeg)
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.)
(See also @indexers.bsky.social and #IndexSky.)
Reposted by Paula Clarke Bain
We'll be streaming new crosswords at 12 as usual today - please join us! Starting off with a quick (13x13) cryptic by JeremysIron @davidjsiron.bsky.social then a standard cryptic by Cheeseman #CrypticSunday
twitch.tv/crypticsunday
twitch.tv/crypticsunday
Twitch
Twitch is the world
twitch.tv
January 18, 2026 at 9:59 AM
We'll be streaming new crosswords at 12 as usual today - please join us! Starting off with a quick (13x13) cryptic by JeremysIron @davidjsiron.bsky.social then a standard cryptic by Cheeseman #CrypticSunday
twitch.tv/crypticsunday
twitch.tv/crypticsunday
Reposted by Paula Clarke Bain
Interested in setting cryptic crosswords, or improving ... or just finding out more? Following on from Raider's excellent advice at @mycrossword.co.uk, I've started a new blog series looking at how and why cryptics work:
www.mycrossword.co.uk/blog/setting...
Hope it's useful / interesting!
www.mycrossword.co.uk/blog/setting...
Hope it's useful / interesting!
Setting Things Right: The Manifezto Pt.1 · MyCrossword
Hi all, welcome to **Setting Things Right** – aka *The Manifezto* (thanks Henri!) – a blog looking at not just *how* cryptic clues and puzzles work, but *why...
www.mycrossword.co.uk
January 6, 2026 at 5:15 PM
Interested in setting cryptic crosswords, or improving ... or just finding out more? Following on from Raider's excellent advice at @mycrossword.co.uk, I've started a new blog series looking at how and why cryptics work:
www.mycrossword.co.uk/blog/setting...
Hope it's useful / interesting!
www.mycrossword.co.uk/blog/setting...
Hope it's useful / interesting!
Reposted by Paula Clarke Bain
This is Winnie the Harris hawk. She comes to the British Library twice a week to scare away the pigeons.
January 16, 2026 at 11:58 AM
This is Winnie the Harris hawk. She comes to the British Library twice a week to scare away the pigeons.
I’ve only just discovered this Cryptic Crosswords/Clues custom feed. Now duly done the ‘Pin feed’ thing to add it to my home feeds. Cheers @lowdowncryptic.bsky.social!
I created a custom feed to track posts about cryptic crosswords and cryptic clues, so go ahead and add it to your feeds. Please share!
If a post doesn't show, it may be delayed/sporadic due to "cloudy sky" (or maybe the post doesn't mention cryptic crosswords or cryptic clues or cryptics at all!)
If a post doesn't show, it may be delayed/sporadic due to "cloudy sky" (or maybe the post doesn't mention cryptic crosswords or cryptic clues or cryptics at all!)
January 17, 2026 at 11:50 AM
I’ve only just discovered this Cryptic Crosswords/Clues custom feed. Now duly done the ‘Pin feed’ thing to add it to my home feeds. Cheers @lowdowncryptic.bsky.social!
Reposted by Paula Clarke Bain
PSA (Puzzle spreading advice)
Cool little puz! 🙃
When you plug, remember to include the word "cryptic" or a hashtag like #crypticcrossword or #crypticclue so the post appears on my "Cryptic Crosswords/Clues" feed (see my pinned post) – and add it to your feeds!
When you plug, remember to include the word "cryptic" or a hashtag like #crypticcrossword or #crypticclue so the post appears on my "Cryptic Crosswords/Clues" feed (see my pinned post) – and add it to your feeds!
January 16, 2026 at 8:20 PM
PSA (Puzzle spreading advice)
Reposted by Paula Clarke Bain
There are only 7 tickets left for Thursday’s comedy murder-mystery show at Thread. 😱 Grab yours before they’re all gone. ❤️
January 17, 2026 at 8:44 AM
There are only 7 tickets left for Thursday’s comedy murder-mystery show at Thread. 😱 Grab yours before they’re all gone. ❤️
Another great summary thread here (thanks to @tanyaizzard.bsky.social) of @indexers.bsky.social latest enjoyable Coffee Morning Zoom session and the sort of thing we book indexers talk about when we get together. This time: the oddball indexes. #IndexSky
At yesterday's Zoom Coffee Morning, twenty SI members met to discuss oddball projects – unexpected indexing requirements, niche subject areas, clients with very specific needs – and how we can adapt and adjust our working practices to deal with them. #IndexSky
January 16, 2026 at 9:30 AM
Another great summary thread here (thanks to @tanyaizzard.bsky.social) of @indexers.bsky.social latest enjoyable Coffee Morning Zoom session and the sort of thing we book indexers talk about when we get together. This time: the oddball indexes. #IndexSky
Reposted by Paula Clarke Bain
A new setter on MyCrossword? Not exactly.
Hat tips to my co-conspirators @henriwords.com @postmarkcryptic.bsky.social @cranberryfez.bsky.social & Gennaro, and huge thanks as always to @mycrossword.co.uk
#cryptic #crossword
www.mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/3028
Hat tips to my co-conspirators @henriwords.com @postmarkcryptic.bsky.social @cranberryfez.bsky.social & Gennaro, and huge thanks as always to @mycrossword.co.uk
#cryptic #crossword
www.mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/3028
Cryptic crossword No 3,028 · MyCrossword
Solve Cryptic crossword No 3,028 on MyCrossword. 15x15 grid with 29 clues by Ghost. Published Tue 13 Jan 2026. Features annotated solutions and special instructions. Free to solve online.
www.mycrossword.co.uk
January 13, 2026 at 6:24 AM
A new setter on MyCrossword? Not exactly.
Hat tips to my co-conspirators @henriwords.com @postmarkcryptic.bsky.social @cranberryfez.bsky.social & Gennaro, and huge thanks as always to @mycrossword.co.uk
#cryptic #crossword
www.mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/3028
Hat tips to my co-conspirators @henriwords.com @postmarkcryptic.bsky.social @cranberryfez.bsky.social & Gennaro, and huge thanks as always to @mycrossword.co.uk
#cryptic #crossword
www.mycrossword.co.uk/cryptic/3028
Reposted by Paula Clarke Bain
New crosswords by Catnip @catnipxword.bsky.social and Ouroboros @ouroborosop.bsky.social await! Join us at 12 noon GMT to solve together #CrypticSunday
twitch.tv/crypticsunday
twitch.tv/crypticsunday
Twitch
Twitch is the world
twitch.tv
January 11, 2026 at 9:31 AM
New crosswords by Catnip @catnipxword.bsky.social and Ouroboros @ouroborosop.bsky.social await! Join us at 12 noon GMT to solve together #CrypticSunday
twitch.tv/crypticsunday
twitch.tv/crypticsunday
Look forward to being part of the @cilipmdg.bsky.social #MetaFutures conference in Bristol this March, talking about connections between the library cataloguers of @cilip.bsky.social and the book indexers of @indexers.bsky.social. #IndexSky
#MetaFutures Day 1
#Collaborative #metadata-ing 3
"Indexers and information professionals: crossovers and co-operation" - Paula Clarke Bain
Explore the similarities, & differences, between the work of cataloguers & indexers, & the connections between @cilip.bsky.social & the @indexers.bsky.social
#Collaborative #metadata-ing 3
"Indexers and information professionals: crossovers and co-operation" - Paula Clarke Bain
Explore the similarities, & differences, between the work of cataloguers & indexers, & the connections between @cilip.bsky.social & the @indexers.bsky.social
January 9, 2026 at 4:47 PM
Look forward to being part of the @cilipmdg.bsky.social #MetaFutures conference in Bristol this March, talking about connections between the library cataloguers of @cilip.bsky.social and the book indexers of @indexers.bsky.social. #IndexSky
Reposted by Paula Clarke Bain
Over the next few weeks we will be posting further details on BlueSky about the programme for the MDG Conference & RDA Day #MetaFutures 11-13 March 2026 - so stay tuned!
Book your place: www.cilip.org.uk/members/grou...
#metadata #discovery #cataloguing #conference 📚🐈🧵
Book your place: www.cilip.org.uk/members/grou...
#metadata #discovery #cataloguing #conference 📚🐈🧵
January 9, 2026 at 2:42 PM
Over the next few weeks we will be posting further details on BlueSky about the programme for the MDG Conference & RDA Day #MetaFutures 11-13 March 2026 - so stay tuned!
Book your place: www.cilip.org.uk/members/grou...
#metadata #discovery #cataloguing #conference 📚🐈🧵
Book your place: www.cilip.org.uk/members/grou...
#metadata #discovery #cataloguing #conference 📚🐈🧵
Reposted by Paula Clarke Bain
I’m at the spot where ICE murdered Renee Nicolle Good today, along with my daughter and her bf. Still lots of people here at 11:00 pm. (Avoiding getting anyone in the picture)
It’s beautiful, surreal but still mostly enraging. Abolish ICE.
It’s beautiful, surreal but still mostly enraging. Abolish ICE.
January 8, 2026 at 5:02 AM
I’m at the spot where ICE murdered Renee Nicolle Good today, along with my daughter and her bf. Still lots of people here at 11:00 pm. (Avoiding getting anyone in the picture)
It’s beautiful, surreal but still mostly enraging. Abolish ICE.
It’s beautiful, surreal but still mostly enraging. Abolish ICE.
Reposted by Paula Clarke Bain
Reposted by Paula Clarke Bain
If you are looking for information on indexing for your scholarly book, our website has a Professional Directory (www.indexers.org.uk/find-an-inde...) and also information for authors (www.indexers.org.uk/about-indexi...) with links through to blogs by @baindex.org and @tanyaizzard.bsky.social .
SI Directory of Professional Indexers
Directory of professional indexers. To find an indexer by subject specialism, select a subject using the drop-down menu.
www.indexers.org.uk
January 7, 2026 at 1:32 PM
If you are looking for information on indexing for your scholarly book, our website has a Professional Directory (www.indexers.org.uk/find-an-inde...) and also information for authors (www.indexers.org.uk/about-indexi...) with links through to blogs by @baindex.org and @tanyaizzard.bsky.social .
Reposted by Paula Clarke Bain
Our Talking about the Past Zoom meeting today discussed this highly interesting podcast episode. It was great to hear the enthusiasm for indexes both as a research tool and as a way of marketing a scholarly book. We concur with their views on the limitations of AI for book indexing.
Episode 35: How to Index Your Book
If you’ve ever wondered how this *highly interesting* part of the book process works, then join @rozierhistorian.bsky.social @rosiebonte.bsky.social and Rob as we talk:
- What is an index for?
- What do publishers want?
- What makes a good/bad index?
Links in bio
If you’ve ever wondered how this *highly interesting* part of the book process works, then join @rozierhistorian.bsky.social @rosiebonte.bsky.social and Rob as we talk:
- What is an index for?
- What do publishers want?
- What makes a good/bad index?
Links in bio
January 7, 2026 at 1:32 PM
Our Talking about the Past Zoom meeting today discussed this highly interesting podcast episode. It was great to hear the enthusiasm for indexes both as a research tool and as a way of marketing a scholarly book. We concur with their views on the limitations of AI for book indexing.
A 2026 reshare of my starter pack of freelance book indexers on Bluesky, including members of @indexers.bsky.social and other indexing societies. It’s opt-in/out by request, so just let me know if you wish to join or leave it. Good to see you all in the #IndexSky.
go.bsky.app/GzqinPu
go.bsky.app/GzqinPu
Book indexers (starter pack)
Join the conversation
go.bsky.app
January 7, 2026 at 10:02 AM
A 2026 reshare of my starter pack of freelance book indexers on Bluesky, including members of @indexers.bsky.social and other indexing societies. It’s opt-in/out by request, so just let me know if you wish to join or leave it. Good to see you all in the #IndexSky.
go.bsky.app/GzqinPu
go.bsky.app/GzqinPu
Reposted by Paula Clarke Bain
With so many people taking up setting recently, I’ve put together a quick guide to help you get started.
www.mycrossword.co.uk/blog/becomin...
www.mycrossword.co.uk/blog/becomin...
Becoming a Cryptic Setter · MyCrossword
So you want to set cryptic crosswords... why? You know there's no money in it, right?
Okay, fine. You've been warned.
If you do, however, love puzzles and ...
www.mycrossword.co.uk
December 30, 2025 at 12:24 PM
With so many people taking up setting recently, I’ve put together a quick guide to help you get started.
www.mycrossword.co.uk/blog/becomin...
www.mycrossword.co.uk/blog/becomin...
Reposted by Paula Clarke Bain
Index in the Joy of Cooking
December 9, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Index in the Joy of Cooking
Considering a new career in the new year? Find out more about becoming a book indexer and the skills and attributes required. Then investigate the @indexers.bsky.social training course. It changed my life, for the better. #IndexSky
What makes a good book indexer? Our blog post explains what you need to work in this fascinating and varied job. Indexers come from all sorts of professional backgrounds and many work part-time alongside other jobs buff.ly/AEtzR1s
January 6, 2026 at 11:48 AM
Considering a new career in the new year? Find out more about becoming a book indexer and the skills and attributes required. Then investigate the @indexers.bsky.social training course. It changed my life, for the better. #IndexSky
Reposted by Paula Clarke Bain
Available on YouTube here www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBC4... with thanks to @stephenullstrom.bsky.social
January 5, 2026 at 9:24 AM
Available on YouTube here www.youtube.com/watch?v=mBC4... with thanks to @stephenullstrom.bsky.social
A Merry Christmas to all from me and whatever this is on our tree. Hope it’s a happy one, or as good as it can be if times are tough. See you beyond. ⭐️
December 24, 2025 at 6:08 PM
A Merry Christmas to all from me and whatever this is on our tree. Hope it’s a happy one, or as good as it can be if times are tough. See you beyond. ⭐️
Caught up on Taskmaster Champion of Champions 4 and the prize task index (said to be Little Alex Horne’s book’s betrayal of Greg Davies). Fine work by Andy Zaltzman @zaltzcricket.bsky.social, with much to love for @indexers.bsky.social. 🤓 #IndexSky #Taskmaster @alexhorne.bsky.social @taskmaster.tv
December 24, 2025 at 9:36 AM
Caught up on Taskmaster Champion of Champions 4 and the prize task index (said to be Little Alex Horne’s book’s betrayal of Greg Davies). Fine work by Andy Zaltzman @zaltzcricket.bsky.social, with much to love for @indexers.bsky.social. 🤓 #IndexSky #Taskmaster @alexhorne.bsky.social @taskmaster.tv
Reposted by Paula Clarke Bain
Mandarins, Italian paired with Index, a History of the by Dennis Duncan
Day 19 of #BooksAreMyJam, in which I pair a language-y book from my shelves with today's jam from the Bonne Maman jamvent calendar
Day 19 of #BooksAreMyJam, in which I pair a language-y book from my shelves with today's jam from the Bonne Maman jamvent calendar
December 20, 2025 at 5:55 AM
Reposted by Paula Clarke Bain
A happy and peaceful Christmas to all our followers.
December 19, 2025 at 9:15 AM
A happy and peaceful Christmas to all our followers.