Mrs. Jessica McCurdy Crooks, M.A. (Jamaica)
I have always had a love affair with the written word.
As a child I read just about anything that came my way. My mom was an avid reader, so I guess I got the bug from her.
My dream job was to be a lawyer, but while at high school my favorite place was the library. The school librarian, Mrs. Colleen Brown sort of adopted me and eventually gave me ‘job’ of library prefect. I was in heaven, now I could get my hands on all the books I wanted. I also began to learn the value of organizing information.
My first job after high school was in a public library. I loved it. I decided to get my degree in library and information studies. Organizing information became a passion so I upgraded my skills by adding records management to my skillset. I later decided to get my MA in Information Studies with a focus on Records and Information Management.
It was quite by coincidence that I discovered indexing as a career choice. I was asked by my former employer to create the index for a publication. Being me, I decided that I would learn all I could about indexing.
Finding Peerwith was another of those unexpected blessings. I periodically search online for freelance opportunities in indexing, editing and proofreading. While doing such a search I found the Peerwith website and I was quite intrigued. After researching Peerwith, I decided to sign up as I felt that I could contribute in so many ways and earn an income in the process.
” I love the interesting projects I get to work on using the Peerwith platform.”
Every academic book needs a sound index. Can you tell us more about how your service: compiling an analytical index and, explain why this is not just “a list of keywords”?
An index is definitely not just a list of keywords as so many people think. A list of keywords is a concordance. An index on the other hand requires that the indexer read the manuscript and understand the content.
As a former academic librarian in a college setting, I know that buying decisions are often made based on whether a book has an index or not. Researchers and students need to be able to locate information quickly. An index makes this possible.
How can your indexing services help peers to get published?
A well-crafted index shows the level of dedication and professional interest an author has taken in their work. It also shows that the work is an academic and professional endeavor.
An index is important in academic publications. Having one is helpful in the evaluation process when selecting a nonfiction manuscript for publication.
You are also a trained librarian and records manager – how do you combine your extensive academic skillset in your (indexing) services?
My training as a librarian and records manager comes in quite handy in my indexing services as I know how readers think and what are the likely terms and words they will look up in an index.
Indexing is a way of organizing information for easy retrieval, which is what I do as a librarian and records manager. An index is there to help make the readers’ job easier when they need to find something. As a book reviewer, the index is valuable as it helps me quickly locate something I read and want to reference in my review.
What do you see as major benefits of the Peerwith platform? What made you decide to offer your services on Peerwith rather than any other researcher service platform?
Some of the benefits of the Peerwith platform are:
- It enables emerging experts in their fields to get support and guidance from experts in their field of study. This collaboration is one of the best features of the Peerwith model;
- It allows academicians and students from across the globe to connect with experts who can offer indexing, editing and other types of publishing support ;
- Researchers and students who wish to publish in English language journals, but face language challenges can easily find affordable language editing services from editors and proofreaders like me who are expert ESL (English as a Second Language) editors.
Is there anything you want to say to people who are hesitant about getting support or advice to people who are considering using the Peerwith Platform?
The peer-to-peer model that Peerwith operates on makes it a fair and transparent company. You have a choice in making decisions on who you want to work with, plus, you do not have to worry about paying for substandard service. With Peerwith, you have to accept the job before the expert is paid.
Likewise, the expert is advised not to work before payment has been received by Peerwith. This was important to me, as in the past, I have had to wait for long periods before I received payment for services.
“The real-time communication between clients and experts, and even the Peerwith team is excellent.”
To researchers who are hesitant about using Peerwith, I would suggest that they give us a try. I am sure that after doing this, they will see that the Peerwith model is second to none – affordability, ease of use, transparency, and collaboration – all come together for a win-win relationship.
In closing, I want to thank Peerwith for providing a platform that is easy to use. Also, unlike many similar platforms, Peerwith’s fees are reasonable and known, that is, there are no hidden fees. With Peerwith, I get clients without having to do a lot of marketing.
Want to know more?
Click here to view the Expert page of Jessica Mc Crooks on Peerwith or visit the Peerwith Website
