Self-publishing by the numbers––getting your own ISBN

As you go through the different phases of the self-publishing process, you will come upon the step that calls for how to get an ISBN number. At this point, you’re likely to ask––What’s are ISBN numbers for self-publishing?

ISBN stands for International Standard Book Number, which is a thirteen-digit number assigned to individual books. Your ISBN will be exclusive to your book, giving it a unique identity. It enables you to efficiently market your book to booksellers, libraries, universities, wholesalers and distributors. Consider an ISBN much like a social security number is to an individual––only one book has that particular number.

Crossing the line from self-publisher to publisher

Your ISBN identifies you as the publisher of your book. So, even though you are a self-publisher, you are also a publisher, just like the big publishing houses. Once your book is assigned its number, it will keep that number even if you change printers, distributors or retailers. When someone orders a copy of your book down the line, you as the publisher will receive that order.

Usages

So, what if you’re printing a second (or third) unique edition of your book or presenting it in a different format? The protocol is that you must apply a separate ISBN to each book that you publish, and also to every unique edition or format of each book. For example, if you are offering the same title in a hardcover edition, as a paperback, and as an e-book, each of those editions will require a separate ISBN.

Where to Obtain Your Own ISBN

If you live in the U.S., you can purchase your ISBNs from R.R. Bowker (http://www.bowker.com), which is licensed by the government to sell them. If you live outside the U.S. you can visit the International ISBN website (http://isbn-international.org/) to find the agency that is assigned to your country. Although you only need one ISBN for your book, it is recommended that you purchase a block of ten numbers to begin with, as you will need new numbers for subsequent editions of your book and for other formats of your book, such as an e-book.

Side Note: If by chance you wind up working with a small press such as a vanity or subsidy press, they may try to assign or sell you an ISBN. Don’t do that. It will be their number that they’re selling you or assigning to you and if you use that number any future orders for your book with that ISBN number will always go to that publisher.

Where do I place the ISBN on my book?

Your ISBN will be printed on the copyright page of your book, whether it’s a hardback or softback book. If it’s a softback book, it will also be placed on the lower part of the back cover, above the bar code.

Now that you see the importance of having your own ISBN(s), you’ll want to tend to a couple of details after your book is printed. Go back to R.R. Bowker (http://www.bowker.com), and get listed in Books in Print. This is a directory that is used by booksellers and libraries to find and research new titles. Also, if you’re putting together any promotional material for your book, make sure the ISBN is always listed on the material.