Everyone gets jobs in different ways. Some already have contacts in the publishing world and they capitalize on them. Some get indexing jobs through referrals (but indexers need to know you before they will refer you).
If you are starting out in the cold, with no contacts and no referrals, then your best bet is direct marketing to publishers.
The 2 most common ways of finding publishers is by using the Literary MarketPlace (LMP) and the Writer's Market (WM).
Whether you decide to use the (LMP) or (WM), the essence of direct marketing is still the same.
I keep a current WM on hand, since I do other types of writing and need it. I also have a 1997 copy of the LMP (that I got at a used book store for a mere $8!).
LMP OR WM?
Which one you should use depends ENTIRELY on your circumstances.
If you can get your hands on an LMP, it is by far THE most thorough of the two. But, here's the catch. It costs between $300 and $400 brand new. Some libraries have a copy, so you might be able to use theirs. But the catch? You usually can't check it out, so you have to sit there and write the info down. If you have a used book store, you might luck out, as I did.
On the other hand, WM is nearly affordable by all. It runs between $19 to $30, depending on where you order it. It can also be ordered online, if your local bookstore doesn't have it. The catch? It's not nearly as complete as the LMP.
Some of the publishers I index for are not in the WM. However, they are in the LMP.
Either way, use what you can get your hands on.
HOW TO USE LMP or WM
We'll assume you have one or the other.
At this point, you have 2 choices. The Scenic Route or the Express Route.
First, the Scenic Route.
Go through all the listings, one by one, and read them all. While you are reading, mark the ones you want to direct market to.
Now, the Express Route, which is much more practical for many.
Both the LMP and the WM have a "Publishers Subject Index". This is where you start. You don't start at the A's and read every entry seeing what the publisher specializes in.
