What Authors Need to Know About ISBN Numbers Before Self-Publishing
As a new writer, you may have heard the term ISBN used frequently in the publishing world but you may be wondering, what is it? In our blog post What Authors Need to Know About ISBN Numbers Before Self-Publishing, we will cover exactly what every author needs to know about ISBNs, including why they are used, how much they cost, and where to get one for your books.
What Does ISBN Even Stand For?
ISBN stands for International Standard Book Number.
ISBNs are a string of 13 numbers that identify your book apart from the billions of books that are out there. Every ISBN number is unique to each book. For example, an e-book, paperback, and hardcover version of the same novel will each have its own ISBN number.
Basically, ISBNs are like the social security number or driver's license number for each version of your book, legally identifying it apart from other versions and all the other books in the world.
What Is the Purpose of ISBN Numbers?
The purpose of ISBN numbers is organization. It is a quick organized way for libraries, publishers, and book dealers to identify and find the book they are searching for. ISBN stands for “International Standard Book Number. ISBNs differentiate books apart from mutable versions, editions, and titles of the same book. For example, if you want to find an old version of a book that you liked before it was rewritten differently all you have to do is enter the ISBN number of that rendition to locate it in a bookstore's catalog. ISBN numbers are used internationally and help pinpoint the book's format, edition, title, publisher, and language.
Fun fact: ISBNs were originally 10-digit numbers up till December 2006. After January 2007 ISBNs now consist of 13 digits.
Another fun fact: ISBNs became an international standard in 1970.
Where Are ISBNs Located In The Book?
You can often find the ISBN numbers on digital platforms listed underneath the publisher, language, and other book information. You can find ISBNs on print books often listed above or below the barcode on the back cover of the book. You can find ISBNs listed on the inside front flap of the book and listed on the copyright page. Then ISBNs are frequently found on the last page of the book.
Example:
Who Needs An ISBN Number?
If you want your book to be in print, the fact is you are absolutely going to need an ISBN number. All libraries, bookstores, or any other distribution channel will require your book to have an ISBN number. It is critical to have an ISBN so that readers and booksellers can find your book.
Wait? Do All Books Need an ISBN?
You may be thinking, how can authors afford this? Does every book that you write and does every different version of that book actually need an ISBN number? While all printed books must have an ISBN number, not all digital books need one.
Many authors purchase ISBN numbers for the paperback and hardcover versions of their book and just use the free ISBN numbers provided from where they choose to self-publish their ebook. Most major publishing platforms offer free ISBN numbers for use on their platform.
These free numbers provided by publishing platforms cannot cross over to other publishing outlets so your free ISBN on Barnes and Noble would be a different set of digits from your free ISBN from Draft2Digital or Amazon. Having numerous ISBN numbers for the same ebook across different publishing platforms can look a bit unprofessional but if you are tight on money, using the free ISBN provide is an excellent way to cut down on costs.
Purchased ISBN numbers are universal and work on all platforms. So your eBook on Amazon would have the same ISBN number as your ebook on Barnes and Noble and other publishing platforms.
What Book Publishing Sites Offer Free ISBNs?
Some of the most well-known publishing platform sites that give free ISBNs are listed below:
- Amazon Kindle
- Barnes & Noble
- Smashwords
- Draft2Digital
- Apple iBooks
- Kobo
- Sony
- Google Play Books
What is an ASIN Number and How is it Different from an ISBN?
You may have heard of ASIN numbers. ASIN numbers are a part of Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) program. (ASIN) stands for Amazon Standard Identification Number. If you publish your book through Amazon and choose not to purchase and upload your own purchased ISBN number, Amazon will give your book a free ASIN number. ASIN numbers are a 10-digit code that helps identify products on Amazon. These ASIN numbers only work on Amazon. If you upload your book for sale on Barnes and Noble, Apple books, Draft2Digital, or Smashwords, you would have different free ISBN numbers assigned for those digital platforms. ASIN is just one of the most popular terms thrown around the publishing world since almost everyone sells books on Amazon. ASIN numbers are awesome if you plan on just publishing on Amazon exclusively.
Example:
Free vs Paid: What is the Downside Of a Free ISBN?
Wait, so if people can get free ISBN numbers on book publishing platforms, why do people still buy ISBN numbers to publish books? What are the differences between free ISBNs from purchased ISBN numbers?
- First off, purchasing a universal ISBN allows your book to have the same number across all book distribution channels. It can be confusing to retailers and potential customers if your book has a bunch of different ISBN numbers across all platforms.
- Having your own purchased ISBN looks more professional. A clear sign of a self-published book is having multiple ISBN numbers for the same version of your book across platforms.
- Having an ISBN confirms your book is in the Bowker Database.
- Without a purchased ISBN number you cannot have your book in bookstores. Bookstores do not accept print books made with KDP that only have ASIN numbers. Bookstores absolutely require your book to have a real ISBN.
- Without a purchased ISBN number it can be harder to track sales across all platforms.
- Without a purchased ISBN number Amazon or whoever gives you a free ISBN number is listed as the publisher instead of your name or your own created publishing company name.
Where Can You Purchase an ISBN?
Publishers or authors purchase these ISBNs through affiliate sites of the International ISBN Agency. Each country or territory has its own provider of ISBNs for its region. Below I listed some of the most popular brokers but you can find a full list right here: https://www.isbn-international.org/agencies
If you live in the USA, most authors purchase their ISBN numbers through Bowker.com.
If you live in Canada, you can get an ISBN through ISBN Canada.
If you live in the U.K. you can get an ISBN from nielsenisbnstore.com.
Another popular spot authors can purchase an ISBN number is through IngramSpark.
How Much Do ISBN Numbers Cost?
Price varies from each distributor and can change over the years. But as of 2022 for those living in the United States on Bowker.com, a single ISBN number costs $125.
If you know you are going to be writing and publishing multiple books, a good way to save money on ISBNs is to purchase them in bulk. On Bowker.com you can purchase 10 ISBN numbers for $295 which equals out to about $29.50 an ISBN.
Do ISBNs Ever Expire?
The good news is that ISBN numbers never expire or go bad. You buy it once and if no changes are made to the book, that book can keep the same ISBN number indefinitely unless in 100 years they come up with a whole new system.
Circumstances Where You Need To Get A New ISBN Number
- Changing the title or subtitle of your book will require a new ISBN.
- Each Foreign language version of your book will need its own ISBN.
- If there are significant changes to the story. Did you add or change the text? If you are adding new content or taking away content and not just little changes, like adding a comma or period, you will need a new ISBN.
- The large print version of your book will need a new ISBN.
- The Audiobook version of your novel will require a separate ISBN.
- If you create a hardcover version that will have its own ISBN.
- If you make a paperback version will have its own ISBN.
- If you change the binding of your book you will need a new ISBN.
- If you change publishers you will need a new ISBN.
- Different sized books will need separate ISBN numbers a 4x7 will have a different ISBN from the 5x8 or the 5.5x8.5 versions. Each version will require its own ISBN.
Can an ISBN Number Be Re-used?
The short answer is No. Even if the book goes out of print, once used that ISBN number cannot be reused on an updated or different version of the book. Once used, an ISBN number only is for that version of your novel and cannot be repurposed.
Quick ISBN FAQs and Recap
- ISBN stands for International Standard Book Number.
- ISBN numbers are a 13 digit numeric code that helps identify and organize books.
- ISBNs were a 10-digit numeric code until December 2006.
- ISBN numbers are used internationally and help pinpoint the book's format, edition, title, publisher, and language.
- ASIN stands for Amazon Standard Identification Number.
- There are downsides to the free ISBN numbers.
- Every format type of a book needs its own unique ISBN.
- All libraries, bookstores, + other distribution channels will require your book to have a purchased universal ISBN number.
- If you make changes to the title, text, sizing or any other major changes to your book you will need a new ISBN number for the updated version.
- ISBNs do not expire.
- ISBNs cannot be re-used.
- If you are publishing multiple versions of your book or know you will publish more than one book, it is cheaper to buy the 10 packs of ISBNs.
I hope that this blog post helps inform you about ISBN numbers and how they are used in the publishing world. If you live in the USA and would like to check out ISBNs you can visit Bowker.com and if you live internationally you can check out https://www.isbn-international.org/agencies to look up where you can purchase an ISBN number for your region.
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Samantha Panzera is an adventurous travel blogger, graphic designer, and multi-media business entrepreneur who uses the experience she’s gained over the years to teach aspiring writers the skills they need to build an author platform and take their careers to the next level.