Purchasing ISBNs
A Key Part of Self Publishing
As I’ve gotten deeper in my self-publishing journey, I have realized just how many steps there are. If anyone told you that publishing is as easy as writing and then getting it out there, they’re missing a few key ingredients to the pie!
One of them is securing an ISBN, or International Standard Book Number. They’re thirteen digits in length nowadays, with five portions in those digits. These will help identify when and where the book is being published, a type of format, and a specific publisher.
If you want your book to be sold by bookstores, libraries, and internet sellers like Amazon, an ISBN is needed.
I just recently purchased my ISBNs through Bowker Publishing Services. I was pointed here by another author, and the process was pretty easy. For ten ISBNs, I paid about $300.
Why did I purchase ten when I only will have three books? Well, each version of my novel needs its own unique ISBN, which for me would include an ePrint version and a paperback. If life ever granted me the opportunity to do a hardcover or audiobook edition, I would need additional ISBNs to cover those.
Another reason I purchased ten was because an individual ISBN was $125, so there was an easy savings.
If you prefer to get all of this in video form, here you go! (I’m not sponsored, by the way. I bought the ISBNs with my hard-earned money!)
My fan art obsession had prevented me from purchasing my ISBNs until just last month, and now they lie in wait for Book 1 of my Kyrus Saga trilogy, Sword of the Ancient, to be finished and ready to go!
Keep in mind that the ISBN is not the same as the barcode, which will need to be purchased, as well, if you want it! (I’m guessing you do?) It’s also not the same as a copyright!
For a personal update, I hope to have my book up on Goodreads in the coming months. The ISBN was an important piece, but I’m busy getting the other items put together so I can have everything squared away!
Are there any other ingredients in the publishing pie that people should know about? Please comment below and share!