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ISBNs for self-published authors

Self-publishing, especially for the first time, can often feel like a bit of a minefield. There are so many things to learn that it can be a bit overwhelming – at least, that’s how I found it while approaching the release of my first book. One such topic was on ISBNs, and, more specifically ISBNs for self-published authors; the what, how and why of it all – and more!

Chances are this isn’t the first time you’ve come across the term ‘ISBN,’ but it might be the first time you’ve had to look deeper into what they are, how to get them and what to do with them.

To help with all that, this page will go through ISBNs for self-published authors. You’ll find everything you need to know below.

What is an ISBN?

Let’s get the basics out the way first.

ISBN stands for International Standard Book Number. These are 13-digit numbers unique to each format of your book. This means there should never be more than one ISBN per format of book – at least, in most cases.

An ISBN cannot be reused. If you make substantial changes to your book, or produce a new edition of it, a new ISBN will be needed. The old one will still exist and act as a record for the previous version.

Your ISBN will also be linked to the book’s barcode, but they aren’t exactly the same thing. More on that later.

Prior to the end of December 2006, ISBNs were 10-digit codes, and you may still encounter some with that format, although there is a formula or extension to ensure they fit the current 13-digit standard.

Using ISBNs

There are two main ways to use ISBNs for self-published authors.

The first, and most important, is on the book itself. What front matter you include is up to you, to a point, but make sure you have the key pieces of information you need. Included in that is the ISBN number, and the format you’ve assigned to it. It’s worth keeping a record of this for easy reference should you ever need it.

The second is when you register your book. Most, if not all, official ISBN providers will also allow you to register for a database where book details are logged. This includes title, series, author, genre, price and more, as well as your ISBN. You don’t have to use this service, but it can open new opportunities for your book to be ordered and purchased. Again, you’ll have to decide if this is right for you.

Where to get ISBNs

Traditionally published authors don’t have to worry about this, but for self-published authors it’s another thing you have to think about. Each country has an official supplier of ISBNs, and I’d recommend buying your codes from them rather than anywhere else. The price of one might put you off, but you can often buy them in bulk to make savings and keep yourself stocked for future books – if you know you’re going to write more.

Some official ISBN suppliers:

Before you buy your ISBNs, make sure you’re using the right supplier according to your residency and living status. Each supplier will have information on their websites on how to ensure you’re eligible to use their service.

As a self-published author, you’ll also need to decide on your publisher identity. You can opt for a name, like any number of companies or imprints, or you can use your own (or pen) name, depending on how you’re branding yourself. These details can be difficult to change later – if it’s even an option. You can make a new account, but keeping it consistent across all books, where possible, will make it easier for people to remember you.

The other advantage, while not essential, is that these services also hold the registry for assigning ISBNs to books. This is essentially a centralised database, and while you can enter the ISBNs you get elsewhere, it makes as much sense to do it all together, from the same place, where possible.

Are ISBNs the same as a barcode?

In short, no.

As I mentioned before, not all books use ISBNs and even of those that do, some won’t have a barcode. That said, if you want to sell physical copies anywhere, your book will need a barcode and an ISBN.

For Print-on-Demand (POD) services (like Amazon), they’ll provide you with a barcode that works for their own stock and ecommerce system. The caveat here is should you want to move or add another option, you won’t be able to use that barcode anywhere else.

Other POD options, like Ingram Spark, will only use a barcode they provide. Before making a decision on barcodes, look at the platforms you’re planning to sell on and see what their terms are.

Official ISBN providers provide barcodes that are directly linked to the ISBN of your book. There is a cost to this, but it does give you total control over that barcode. This is something your cover designer will need to make sure everything fits together nicely.

You can find other options to purchase your barcodes, and some will be cheaper than those offered by Nielsen, Bowker or the other official ISBN providers, but make sure they’re suitable for your designer or POD system. Cheaper isn’t always better, but that’s not to say they can’t be useful if you do proper research and due diligence.

What about “free” or “cheap” ISBNs?

You’ll find quite a few places offering ISBNs for self-published authors, with some being cheaper than others – and some being “free” – but there are things you should know before choosing those options.

The key thing to remember here is that whoever buys the ISBN first is the registered owner of that code. Even if you buy it from a reseller, they will still own it while you use it. There may be restrictions on what and where you can use it, so if you choose a reseller because it’s cheaper, make sure you read all the terms before buying.

Away from these resellers, some platforms also offer ISBNs to your books for you. This might seem like an attractive proposition – after all, it’s one less thing for you to sort, right? – but there will be restrictions on these, too.

The most common restriction being that the ISBN they give you can only be used on their platform. This is a tactic to keep you exclusive to them. It works for some authors, but it’s not for everyone. It also means you’ll have to jump through hoops if you do want to go to other platforms in the future, as well as changing the registry details for your book formats.

Are there any alternatives to ISBNs?

Yes, there a few, but the most common alternative is Amazon’s ASIN. This functions just like an ISBN, but one is given to every product the platform sells, including books. However, it can’t be used on other platforms.

You can still use ISBNs on Amazon, and if you use your own, that code will become the ASIN number. In the end, it won’t make a difference to someone searching for you on Amazon, but it gives you more control over your book(s). It’ll also be easier to ensure your book formats share the same ISBN numbers across all platforms you use.

I hope this has made some sense and cleared some things up, and that you feel a bit more confident with ISBNs for self-published authors. Don’t forget to check out the other writing resources I’ve prepared, from exercises to self-publishing information.

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