Jola (Close Reading)
@closereadingie.bsky.social
Indexer. Copyeditor. Proofreader. Medieval historian. Jeanne de Divion was framed. TTRPG enthusiast. Indexes things from Aristotle to the X-Men. Past president Indexing Society of Canada. Co-chair KWG Twig, Editors Canada. closereadingie.com. She/They.
Pinned
Hello, new followers! I’m an indexer and editor, ttrpg gamer, knitter, stabbing-fabric-with-needles-er, and hiker. I used to be a professor of medieval history, and a good by-name will always turn my head. So far, the current leader is my guy William Lost-His-Pants. I post about all this. And cats.
We’d locked ourselves out of the house. My dad jimmied the ground floor window for me to climb through. I go in, unlock front door, turn and see a large crumpled shape below window. Freak out thinking my dad had injured himself climbing in after me.
He’d tossed my coat through the window.
He’d tossed my coat through the window.
What’s the worst *short-lived* scare you’ve ever had? Where you were genuinely freaking out but then it was all ok within minutes?
I had a literal moth get trapped inside my ear for about 40 seconds. I was screaming. Then it was out.
I had a literal moth get trapped inside my ear for about 40 seconds. I was screaming. Then it was out.
February 5, 2026 at 4:14 AM
We’d locked ourselves out of the house. My dad jimmied the ground floor window for me to climb through. I go in, unlock front door, turn and see a large crumpled shape below window. Freak out thinking my dad had injured himself climbing in after me.
He’d tossed my coat through the window.
He’d tossed my coat through the window.
Reposted by Jola (Close Reading)
And for non-fic that your index will be done by a real human being.
January 28, 2026 at 3:34 PM
And for non-fic that your index will be done by a real human being.
I may be a CMOS-for-life person, but I get no end of enjoyment from my fellow nerds who wrote all the citation examples for the MLA Handbook, 9th ed. I see you, Buffy lovers, Trekkies, and D&D gamers, to name a few. So many lovely gems in here.
#AmEditing #EdiBuddies
#AmEditing #EdiBuddies
a man in a captain america uniform is sitting in a room and saying `` i understand that reference . ''
Alt: Captain America is sitting in a room with uncostumed Avengers behind him and saying “I understand that reference.”
media.tenor.com
January 22, 2026 at 5:28 PM
I may be a CMOS-for-life person, but I get no end of enjoyment from my fellow nerds who wrote all the citation examples for the MLA Handbook, 9th ed. I see you, Buffy lovers, Trekkies, and D&D gamers, to name a few. So many lovely gems in here.
#AmEditing #EdiBuddies
#AmEditing #EdiBuddies
Feeling very proud of myself for catching a single, end-of-line period that was Calibri 8 and not TNR 12. This feels like a level up from catching an errant italicized period.
#AmEditing #EdiBuddies
#AmEditing #EdiBuddies
January 19, 2026 at 8:47 PM
Feeling very proud of myself for catching a single, end-of-line period that was Calibri 8 and not TNR 12. This feels like a level up from catching an errant italicized period.
#AmEditing #EdiBuddies
#AmEditing #EdiBuddies
Reposted by Jola (Close Reading)
I took this course and really enjoyed it. Jola is an awesome instructor!
Thinking about adding #indexing to your #editing business? Curious about what indexing is and if it’s right for you?
Take my 6-week course! At the end of it you’ll have a solid foundation and know whether indexing is right for you.
Starts Feb 2.
libraryjuiceacademy.com/shop/course/...
Take my 6-week course! At the end of it you’ll have a solid foundation and know whether indexing is right for you.
Starts Feb 2.
libraryjuiceacademy.com/shop/course/...
Introduction to Book Indexing - Library Juice Academy
The purpose of the course is to prepare you for a career as an indexer—whether you wish to be one full-time or as a supplement to your library career. This six-week course will introduce you to the f...
libraryjuiceacademy.com
January 12, 2026 at 7:45 PM
I took this course and really enjoyed it. Jola is an awesome instructor!
Thinking about adding #indexing to your #editing business? Curious about what indexing is and if it’s right for you?
Take my 6-week course! At the end of it you’ll have a solid foundation and know whether indexing is right for you.
Starts Feb 2.
libraryjuiceacademy.com/shop/course/...
Take my 6-week course! At the end of it you’ll have a solid foundation and know whether indexing is right for you.
Starts Feb 2.
libraryjuiceacademy.com/shop/course/...
Introduction to Book Indexing - Library Juice Academy
The purpose of the course is to prepare you for a career as an indexer—whether you wish to be one full-time or as a supplement to your library career. This six-week course will introduce you to the f...
libraryjuiceacademy.com
January 12, 2026 at 7:41 PM
Thinking about adding #indexing to your #editing business? Curious about what indexing is and if it’s right for you?
Take my 6-week course! At the end of it you’ll have a solid foundation and know whether indexing is right for you.
Starts Feb 2.
libraryjuiceacademy.com/shop/course/...
Take my 6-week course! At the end of it you’ll have a solid foundation and know whether indexing is right for you.
Starts Feb 2.
libraryjuiceacademy.com/shop/course/...
Reposted by Jola (Close Reading)
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
Make a Bond movie academic:
You Only Live Twice: A Reassessment of Kantorowicz’s _The King’s Two Bodies_
You Only Live Twice: A Reassessment of Kantorowicz’s _The King’s Two Bodies_
From Reviewer #2 with love.
make a Bond movie academic:
Diamonds Are Forever, but Tenured is at the Discretion of the Board of Regents
Diamonds Are Forever, but Tenured is at the Discretion of the Board of Regents
December 27, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Make a Bond movie academic:
You Only Live Twice: A Reassessment of Kantorowicz’s _The King’s Two Bodies_
You Only Live Twice: A Reassessment of Kantorowicz’s _The King’s Two Bodies_
Reposted by Jola (Close Reading)
In a letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney, five #linguistics #experts and an #editors association representative say the simplest way to keep national elbows up is to get #Canadian style #English down on the page. #spelling
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Linguistic experts urge Carney government to stop using British spellings | CBC News
Promoters of Canadian English say the federal government is sending the wrong message to the world with its recent use of British spelling in official documents, including the 2025 federal budget.
www.cbc.ca
December 15, 2025 at 5:07 PM
In a letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney, five #linguistics #experts and an #editors association representative say the simplest way to keep national elbows up is to get #Canadian style #English down on the page. #spelling
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
I had a joke about Hercules but have chores to do.
I had a joke about Sisyphus but I’m struggling to reach the punchline.
I had a joke about Narcissus but I got distracted by something I saw.
December 8, 2025 at 4:11 PM
I had a joke about Hercules but have chores to do.
Lots of people have already mentioned microfilm and microfiche, so I’ll go with a skill I’m confident I’ll never employ again (because microf— can be great!):
Operating a mimeograph machine. Also, making transparencies for lectures.
Operating a mimeograph machine. Also, making transparencies for lectures.
What skill did you master that you will never, ever use again?
Archival research feels like it’s full of these, but then there’s always one throwback archive with a microfiche machine or a paper catalogue (or, indeed: NARA)
Archival research feels like it’s full of these, but then there’s always one throwback archive with a microfiche machine or a paper catalogue (or, indeed: NARA)
What skill did you master that you will never, ever use again?
Summer of '95 I had a job assembling single-use film cameras, which I did enough that I can still perform the actions. I don't think they even sell them anymore, but even if they do I'm certainly never going to be making them again!
Summer of '95 I had a job assembling single-use film cameras, which I did enough that I can still perform the actions. I don't think they even sell them anymore, but even if they do I'm certainly never going to be making them again!
December 8, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Lots of people have already mentioned microfilm and microfiche, so I’ll go with a skill I’m confident I’ll never employ again (because microf— can be great!):
Operating a mimeograph machine. Also, making transparencies for lectures.
Operating a mimeograph machine. Also, making transparencies for lectures.
Would willingness to write essays (not outsource to AI) be improved if rhetoric had remained a mainstay of the curriculum? (These are the thoughts I think when indexing multi-volume texts on the history of rhetoric).
But then, I’ve read the letters medieval students wrote home.
#IndexSky
But then, I’ve read the letters medieval students wrote home.
#IndexSky
December 3, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Would willingness to write essays (not outsource to AI) be improved if rhetoric had remained a mainstay of the curriculum? (These are the thoughts I think when indexing multi-volume texts on the history of rhetoric).
But then, I’ve read the letters medieval students wrote home.
#IndexSky
But then, I’ve read the letters medieval students wrote home.
#IndexSky
Introduce yourself with 5 concerts you’ve seen:
Pearl Jam
Crosby, Stills, and Nash (and maybe Young?)
Elliott Smith
Peter, Paul, and Mary
Guster
Pearl Jam
Crosby, Stills, and Nash (and maybe Young?)
Elliott Smith
Peter, Paul, and Mary
Guster
Siouxsie Sioux
Nine Inch Nails
New Model Army
Sheep on Drugs
VNV Nation
Nine Inch Nails
New Model Army
Sheep on Drugs
VNV Nation
December 2, 2025 at 10:22 PM
Introduce yourself with 5 concerts you’ve seen:
Pearl Jam
Crosby, Stills, and Nash (and maybe Young?)
Elliott Smith
Peter, Paul, and Mary
Guster
Pearl Jam
Crosby, Stills, and Nash (and maybe Young?)
Elliott Smith
Peter, Paul, and Mary
Guster
So far, the knitted blanket is a hit with the cat. Bodes well, I think. (still need to knit the border)
#BerrocoMKAL
#BerrocoMKAL
December 1, 2025 at 10:46 PM
So far, the knitted blanket is a hit with the cat. Bodes well, I think. (still need to knit the border)
#BerrocoMKAL
#BerrocoMKAL
My kid found the Black Death comics I’d made for my students. Had completely forgotten about them. Now we’re having fun reading them together while I explain the plague.
#medievalsky
#medievalsky
November 18, 2025 at 1:54 PM
My kid found the Black Death comics I’d made for my students. Had completely forgotten about them. Now we’re having fun reading them together while I explain the plague.
#medievalsky
#medievalsky
Explain a film plot badly:
a group of space truckers debate their union contract and sick leave.
indecision kills; one trucker and her cat abandon the rig.
a group of space truckers debate their union contract and sick leave.
indecision kills; one trucker and her cat abandon the rig.
a woman is constantly undermined by her coworkers.
after the roughest day ever, she and her cat go home.
after the roughest day ever, she and her cat go home.
Explain a film plot badly:
Guy who is good at math likes to asks strangers if they like apples.
Guy who is good at math likes to asks strangers if they like apples.
November 6, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Explain a film plot badly:
a group of space truckers debate their union contract and sick leave.
indecision kills; one trucker and her cat abandon the rig.
a group of space truckers debate their union contract and sick leave.
indecision kills; one trucker and her cat abandon the rig.
Reposted by Jola (Close Reading)
Hey, potential indexers ... ask me about my indexing course at TMU staring in January.
And, if you can't take mine, take Jola Komornicka's (@closereadingie) course. Starts a few weeks later.
And, if you can't take mine, take Jola Komornicka's (@closereadingie) course. Starts a few weeks later.
November 4, 2025 at 6:21 PM
Hey, potential indexers ... ask me about my indexing course at TMU staring in January.
And, if you can't take mine, take Jola Komornicka's (@closereadingie) course. Starts a few weeks later.
And, if you can't take mine, take Jola Komornicka's (@closereadingie) course. Starts a few weeks later.
Change the whole vibe of a book by adding a word to a title.
The Firm Pillow
The Firm Pillow
Change the whole vibe of a book by adding a word to a title
The Trial Subscription
The Trial Subscription
Change the whole vibe of a book by adding a word to a title
We Have Always Lived in the Bounce Castle
We Have Always Lived in the Bounce Castle
October 26, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Change the whole vibe of a book by adding a word to a title.
The Firm Pillow
The Firm Pillow
It’s caturday so here’s my typing buddy. He really wants to help me work.
October 25, 2025 at 5:21 PM
It’s caturday so here’s my typing buddy. He really wants to help me work.
Reposted by Jola (Close Reading)
Recalling what a deeply human process it is to create a truly useful book index — not replicable by any automated or AI system, as it requires a theory of mind, a deep understanding of the audience & their likely needs, preferred search-terms, and points of confusion.
✍️📖💡
#AmEditing #AmIndexing
✍️📖💡
#AmEditing #AmIndexing
October 19, 2025 at 11:04 PM
Recalling what a deeply human process it is to create a truly useful book index — not replicable by any automated or AI system, as it requires a theory of mind, a deep understanding of the audience & their likely needs, preferred search-terms, and points of confusion.
✍️📖💡
#AmEditing #AmIndexing
✍️📖💡
#AmEditing #AmIndexing
In 26 weeks, @indexerscanada.bsky.social will be holding its virtual conference: Sorting It Out. I’ll be doing a blog post a week, naturally sorted alphabetically.
This week, A is for Author's Overview. closereadingie.com/2025/10/a-is...
#IndexSky
This week, A is for Author's Overview. closereadingie.com/2025/10/a-is...
#IndexSky
A is for… – Close Reading
closereadingie.com
October 18, 2025 at 1:32 PM
In 26 weeks, @indexerscanada.bsky.social will be holding its virtual conference: Sorting It Out. I’ll be doing a blog post a week, naturally sorted alphabetically.
This week, A is for Author's Overview. closereadingie.com/2025/10/a-is...
#IndexSky
This week, A is for Author's Overview. closereadingie.com/2025/10/a-is...
#IndexSky
I miss buying software on floppies/cd-roms. No AI. No upgrades that massively disrupt my workflow and make a tool nearly useless for my daily work, one I had relied on and used dozens of times a day.
I’m looking at you @goodnotesapp.bsky.social And yes, I’m using the paid version and am pissed.
I’m looking at you @goodnotesapp.bsky.social And yes, I’m using the paid version and am pissed.
October 11, 2025 at 4:15 PM
I miss buying software on floppies/cd-roms. No AI. No upgrades that massively disrupt my workflow and make a tool nearly useless for my daily work, one I had relied on and used dozens of times a day.
I’m looking at you @goodnotesapp.bsky.social And yes, I’m using the paid version and am pissed.
I’m looking at you @goodnotesapp.bsky.social And yes, I’m using the paid version and am pissed.
Reposted by Jola (Close Reading)
Statement on AI and Book #Indexing from ASI: "AI is not currently capable of producing even adequate indexes. High-quality indexes that meet reader needs and expectations still require the fine-grained human judgment of a professional indexer." asindexing.org/ai-news/stat... #IndexSky #bookindexes
Statement on AI and Book Indexing | American Society for Indexing
asindexing.org
October 3, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Statement on AI and Book #Indexing from ASI: "AI is not currently capable of producing even adequate indexes. High-quality indexes that meet reader needs and expectations still require the fine-grained human judgment of a professional indexer." asindexing.org/ai-news/stat... #IndexSky #bookindexes
My supervisor is asleep on the job. To be fair, he had a big day today: vet visit for vaccines and a blood draw.
#edibuddies #cats
#edibuddies #cats
October 1, 2025 at 6:02 PM
My supervisor is asleep on the job. To be fair, he had a big day today: vet visit for vaccines and a blood draw.
#edibuddies #cats
#edibuddies #cats
Just finished indexing a book that reminded me how much I love reading Herodotus. First read him freshman year of uni (hi, Hum110 #Reedies!) and blew past the required portion, devouring the full book.
Still have my copy on the shelf. It made the cut for every move (10+; 20+ years).
#IndexSky
Still have my copy on the shelf. It made the cut for every move (10+; 20+ years).
#IndexSky
October 1, 2025 at 2:56 AM