What is an ISBN?
ISBN stands for International Standard Book Number. It has 13
digits and consists of 5 sections separated by spaces or hyphens. The first
group is the prefix element, either 978 or 979. Next is the registration group. It’s between
1 and 5 digits and identifies the country, geographic region, or language. The
third is the registrant, up to 7 digits, that identifies the publisher or
imprints. The publication element is fourth. It has up to 6 digits and establishes the particular edition and format of a specific title. The last is
the single check digit used in some fancy-schmancy mathematical formula
you and I couldn’t care less about to validate the ISBN.
Now that I know what it is, what the heck is an ISBN used for?
An ISBN is a product identifier. That’s it. The number is
assigned to publications and used by publishers, booksellers, libraries, internet
retailers and others to order, record sales, or manage stock. The ISBN
identifies the registrant as well as the specific title, edition, and format. ISBNs
are assigned to single publications such as books, but not to serial
publications such as journals or newspapers. Any book made publicly available,
for sale or free, can be identified by an ISBN, but so can individual chapters
of books or articles from journals and periodicals. An ebook doesn’t require an
ISBN, but a publisher can attach one, if desired. However, each format (e.g.
paperback, hardcover, EPUB, pdf) requires a separate number, so if you choose
to assign an ISBN to an ebook, it must have a different number than the
paperback version.
What does that have to do with the copyright?
Nada, zilch, zippo. The ISBN is an identifier. Simply having
an ISBN on a book doesn’t convey any legal or copyright protection. Nor does it
take any away from the author. The ISBN only identifies the publisher of a
particular edition. In effect, the person or company who ponied up for the
ISBN.
How do you get an ISBN?
Some countries issue them for free, but in the USA you have to buy it and they’re not cheap. The only
authorized representative in the United States to sell ISBNs is a company
called Bowker.
ISBNS are $125 for a single ISBN, but they have reduced rates if you buy in
bulk.
Does a self-published author need an ISBN?
Maybe. Maybe not. If you only plan to publish an ebook then
an ISBN isn’t necessary. Paperbacks or hardcovers are different stories.
Companies such as CreateSpace will give you an ISBN for free if you publish
with them. Again, this has nothing to do with copyright. The number will only
identify the publisher as CreateSpace, and you will still be the author and
retain all rights.
If you plan to market mostly ebooks and only sell hard or
softcovers through a website or conventions then this is a good cheap way to
go. However, you can pretty much forget about bookstores. Most are loathe to take
on self-published authors anyway, but a CreateSpace ISBN is the kiss of death.
First of all, it’s an Amazon company and indy bookstores don’t want to throw
any more money at the Big A. The biggest reason is CreateSpace
doesn't have a buy-back option for booksellers, so a retailer can’t return unsold
books. Indy bookstores aren’t particularly welcoming to self-published authors,
but you may be able to talk a few into carrying your book if you have an ISBN
from a company that offers buy-backs, so they’re not out any money if your book
doesn’t sell. This means becoming your own publisher. Don’t worry, you don’t
need to invest in typesetting equipment. Simply buy an ISBN and use a company that
offers buy-back, such as IngramSpark.
It won’t guarantee sales, of course, but may put you one step closer.
L. A. Kelley writes science fiction and fantasy adventures with humor, romance, and a touch of sass. Planned to name first child ISBN, but family members objected.
6 comments:
Thanks for clarifying the mysterious components of the elusive ISBN
Well, that's interesting! Thanks for this!
Your posts are always so information- thank you!
Lots of good info. Thanks so much for sharing. I've been buying my ISBNs from Bowker for several years. As you say, when you buy in bulk (like 10 at a time), you get a big break from buying a single one. If you watch for sales, you sometimes get an even bigger discount.
You have put the "fiction" of the "science" of publishing into a clearer perspective! Glad your genre is compatible! Loved the information and thanks!
Francesca Q.
Publishing a book is expensive, for sure. Thanks for the info.
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