ISBN for Self-Publishers: Answers to 20 of your Questions #40to2 - New self-publishers are especially concerned with making sure their books are registered properly ..
ISBN for Self-Publishers: Answers to 20 of your Questions #40to2
May 25, 2016 - Blogpost
Jared R. Trust
New self-publishers are especially concerned with making sure their
books are registered properly, that everything is done so that their book
can be sold without any problems or confusion.
What is an ISBN?
ISBN stands for International Standard Book Number. It is a 13-digit number
that’s used as a unique identifier for books. ISBN is used internationally.
What do all the numbers mean?
See my earlier article on decoding the ISBN.
Why do we need ISBNs?
We need them to identify each book that is published, and each edition of
the same book. ISBN also identifies the publisher of the book. It is the
standard ID number used to identify books by booksellers, libraries, book
wholesalers and distributors.
Should I get an ISBN?
If you plan to sell your book in bookstores, to libraries, or through online
retailers like Amazon.com, you will need an ISBN.
Does a book have to be published to have an ISBN?
ISBNs are issued to publishers, who then assign them to individual books.
This can be done at any time, even before the book is written.
Is the ISBN the bar code I see on the back of books?
The bar code is a representation of the ISBN in a form that can be
identified by scanners. The bar code might also have other information
embedded in it, like the price of the book and the currency in which it is
priced.
Okay, do I need to have a bar code too?
Only if you plan to sell your book in bookstores. If you only plan to sell
online, or privately like at speaking engagements, you don’t need a bar
code. Many publishers put them on their books anyway.
If I get an ISBN, does that mean my book is copyrighted?
No, ISBN is administered by a private company for the use of the
international book trade. Copyright is administered by the Library of
Congress and is an extension of intellectual property law.
If I have an ISBN, does that mean my book will be in Books in Print?
Once you have an ISBN you can go to BowkerLink to fill out the forms
necessary for your book to be listed in Books in Print.
Can self-publishers get an ISBN?
A self-publisher is still a publisher, so yes, you just apply for an ISBN
like anyone else.
How do I get an ISBN?
Go to myidentifiers.com, the ISBN website run by Bowker, which is the only
company authorized to administer the ISBN program in the United States.
Click on “ISBN Identifiers” and you’ll be taken to a page where you can buy
1, 10, 100 or 1000 ISBNs.
How many ISBNs should I buy?
The least economical choice is to buy 1 ISBN. If you ever publish another
edition of your book, or another book entirely, you will need more than one
ISBN. I suggest you buy the 10 pack.
What do ISBNs cost?
A single ISBN today costs $125, while 10 ISBNs cost $250, 100 cost $575 and
1000 cost $1000. Note that the price per ISBN drops from $125 to $25 to
$5.75 to $1.
Isn’t it just a number? Why does a number cost $125?
Many people are pondering this question, so far without an answer.
Obviously, it’s not because of the cost of the product. Could there be
another reason?
Well, can I re-use my ISBN?
No, sorry, once assigned to a book, an ISBN can never be reused.
Where do I put the ISBN?
You’ll print it on the copyright page, and it’s included in the Cataloging-
in-Publication data block, if you use one. Otherwise, just print it on the
copyright page and, of course, on the back cover as part of the bar code.
I’m doing a print book and an ebook. Do I need two ISBNs,
or can I use the same one?
This is a matter of some discussion at the moment, since there are more and
more electronic formats. The policy of assigning a separate ISBN to each and
every edition is under review.
How about a Hardcover and a Softcover of the same book?
You need a separate ISBN for each edition, to identify them for everyone who
might want to find them in directories, catalogs and databases.
If I revise my book, do I need to give it a new ISBN?
If you only correct typographical errors, and don’t make any substantial
changes to the text, you don’t need a new ISBN because it’s considered a
reprint. A new edition would contain substantially new material, a major
revision, or the addition of completely new elements. Anything that makes it
a new book is likely to create a new edition and, therefore, need a new
ISBN.
How about if I just change the cover?
You can continue to use the same ISBN, since the text has not changed.
Thank you for Reading,
Jared R. Trust
SUCCESS #40to2
Jared Trust Design Co. Santa Barbara
For Business Inquiries:
jared@jaredtrustdesign.com
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| Success #40to2 The Podcast - Jared R. Trust (May 25, 2016) |
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