Purchasing an ISBN for Your Self-Published Book
About 3 min read
An ISBN (International Standard Book Number) is a 10- or 13-digit number that identifies your book and provides information about its country, publisher and title. Bookstores, libraries, schools and online stores use the number when ordering books from publishers or distributors.
In the United States, you can purchase ISBN numbers through Bowker. Other countries have their own companies or agencies from which to purchase the numbers.
You typically include the ISBN for your book on your copyright page in the front matter of your book. The ISBN is also included as part of your barcode, which is placed on the back cover.
ISBN stands for International Standard Book Number. It is a number seen on the back cover of most books, usually along with a barcode that contains pricing information. The ISBN is also displayed on the copyright page of the book. Although you can publish and sell your books without an ISBN and barcode, you must have them to sell your books in bookstores and online sites such as Amazon.com. It is also required for placing your book in a library.
Questions you may have include:
- What are the reasons for a ISBN and barcode?
- How do you get ISBN numbers in various countries?
- How do you get ISBN numbers in the U.S.?
This lesson will answer those questions. There is a mini-quiz near the end of the lesson.
Reasons to get an ISBN
The ISBN identifies your book so that bookstores can order it from your publishing business or your book distributor or wholesaler. Although you can sell your book without an ISBN, bookstores, libraries, schools, distributors and wholesalers will not bother with the book.
If a customer wants to buy your book through one of the online stores, such as Amazon.com or BarnesandNoble.com, an ISBN is required.
Even if—as a self-publisher—you do not plan to sell books through bookstores or through Amazon.com, including the ISBN and barcode is advisable to give your book a professional look.
Purchasing ISBN numbers worldwide
Various agencies sell ISBN numbers, according to the country in which the book is published.
The International ISBN Agency provides links and addresses of ISBN agencies throughout the world. Click their National Agencies drop down menu to select your country.
Typically, you will have to register with the agency and provide a means for paying for the numbers. You can purchase ISBN numbers in blocks of 10, 100 or 1000, as well as larger orders. Each ISBN agency has their own price list and perhaps some added benefits with the purchase.
Purchasing ISBN numbers in the U.S.
Books published from the United States get their ISBN numbers through Bowker Identifier Services. Besides the 10, 100 or 1000 ISBN blocks, Bowker offers the option of buying a single ISBN.
All sales include having the book information placed in their database and a web page, called an SEO Title Card that includes bibliographic data and cover image. If you know the ISBN of a book, you can see the SEO Title Card for the book.
You must first register with Bowker and provide your business and credit card information.
Single ISBN
The cost for a single ISBN in Bowker’s Standard package is $125.
The Premium package for a single ISBN costs $185. This includes several other features and utilities.
Note: Some print-on-demand and vanity presses will also sell you a single ISBN and barcode. However, that lists them as the publisher of the book for this and future printings.
Since each form of a book (i.e. hardcopy, e-book, Kindle, audio etc.) requires a separate ISBN, purchasing only one ISBN may be short-sighted. However, it is obviously less expensive than buying 10 at a time.
ISBN Blocks
The cost for a block of ISBN numbers is:
- 10 for $250.00
- 100 for $575.00
- 1000 for $1000
Summary
An ISBN is a 10- or 13-digit number that identifies your book and provides publisher information. Bookstores use the number when ordering books from publishers or distributors.
The International ISBN Agency provides links and addresses of ISBN agencies throughout the world. In the United States, you purchase ISBN numbers through Bowker.
You typically include the ISBN for your book on your copyright page in the front matter of your book. The ISBN is also included as part of your barcode, which is placed on the back cover.
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Be prepared to sell your books
Resources
The following are some resources on this topic.
Websites
Mini-quiz to check your understanding
Self-check your understanding
What type of self-published book would have no ISBN?
How can you tell the country where the book was published?
What is a disadvantage of buying a single ISBN for a hardcopy book?
Pick an answer to see instant feedback. Re-read the lesson if you miss one.
If you got all three correct, you are on your way to becoming a Champion in Publishing. If you had problems, you had better look over the material again.
What do you think?
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Also see Answers to Readers’ Questions.