An ISBN (International Standard Book Number) is a unique number that is used to identify a book or book-like product for commercial use. Formerly a 10 digit number, it changed to a 13 digit system in 2007.
If you look on the back of any book, you should see a box with a barcode (and the ISBN written above the barcode).
The ISBN does not just identify a specific book but also identifies specific details about that book. Different formats or editions of the same book can have a separate ISBN, e.g. the hardback version of a book will have a different ISBN to the paperback version of the same book.
Why Do You Need An ISBN?
The primary purpose of the ISBN for a book, is so that anyone can identify the exact edition and format of that book.
- If you want to sell print versions of your books through bookstores (either online or physically), your book needs an ISBN.
- If you want your print book to be stocked by libraries, your book needs an ISBN.
There may be several books out there with the same name (by different authors) or you may even have different versions of your own book available. Every book (and version/format of it) needs to have a unique way for it to be identified.
Some digital versions of your book do not require an ISBN and we will discuss that below.
Where Do You Get An ISBN?
Although all ISBNs are registered with the International ISBN agency. Publishers need to apply to their national ISBN Agency to get an ISBN. In the US purchases are usually done through “Bowker.com”.
A publisher will normally buy an allocation of ISBN numbers that they can then use for the various authors that they service. At the time of my writing, here are the approximate costs for ISBNs in the USA.
- A single ISBN = $125
- A block of 10 = $250
- A block of 100 = $575
- A block of 10000 = $1000
You’ll see from the prices above that it is more cost effective to buy in bulk, but as an independent author, you may not want to incur this initial cost when you first self-publish.
The ISBN of a book is owned by and designates the publisher of a book. Although purchasing an ISBN may not be in your initial budget, as an independent author, you want to retain as much ownership as possible of your work.
Do Digital Books Need An ISBN?
If for some reason you are only going to publish your book as a digital version, you may not need an ISBN. Having an ISBN may be seen as giving your eBook more credibility by some, but it is not essential.
- For Amazons Kindle Version of your book, they use their ASIN (basically Amazon Catalogue number) to track your book.
- For Kobo writing Life, they assign your eBook a tracking number through their system. This allows you to distribute your book to over 190 countries but the lack of an ISBN can limit distribution through some of their partner sites (such as WH Smith), according to Kobo’s website.
- If you are distributing your book through Ingram Sparks, even the digital version will require an ISBN.
- When you are allocating ISBN’s to a digital book, remember that an ISBN refers to format. You would need a separate ISBN for the Epub, Mobi and PDF version of your book.
What Are Your ISBN Options With Createspace?
As Createspace is usually one of the first options for indie authors, I thought it prudent to include a section on this publisher.
Createspace is a publisher but also a channel to the Amazon bookstore so your book does need an ISBN when published through Createspace.
Createspace provides several options for ISBNs (including a FREE Option).
1. If you choose the “Assigned” Option when publishing through Createspace, the cost is Free but comes with the least flexibility:
- You cannot use the same ISBN to print your book through another publisher such as Ingram sparks.
Although it might seem unfair that Createspace keeps ownership of the ISBN, they purchased it initially and because you chose to use their ISBN, for FREE, you accept this as part of the deal.
2. If you choose the “Provide your Own ISBN” option when publishing through Createspace, the cost is whatever you have paid for your ISBN.
- If this is not your first book, you may already own a batch of ISBNs.
- By using your own ISBN, you are listed as the publisher and you can keep this ISBN if you choose to leave Createspace for another publisher.
N.B. If you are using your own ISBN for publishing through Createspace make sure that the book’s imprint name matches what is registered with your ISBN (if you registered your name under an LLC, don’t put your personal name as the publisher on Createspace).
3. If you choose the “Universal ISBN” option when publishing through Createspace, the cost is $99. This is similar to providing your own ISBN but Createspace has actually bought the ISBN for you.
- Using this option you are also listed as the publisher and you can keep this ISBN if you choose to leave Createspace for another publisher.
- One of the benefits here is that it may be cheaper than buying a single ISBN yourself.
With this option, Createspace has integrated the ISBN purchase into their publishing process. This can be appealing when first starting out.
When Should You Own An ISBN?
A lot of Indie authors start out publishing exclusively through Amazon and Createspace (or KDP Print on demand).
Historically authors have not always been concerned with their long-term publishing careers. Some traditional publishers have tied up Authors licensing rights for long periods of time. Even in today’s digital world, some of the early agreements with the likes of audible.com have provided the author limited flexibility.
As independent authors, you want to be in control of your books, and as FREE ISBNs are not owned by you, part of your long-term plan should be to your own ISBN’s
If you are going to self-publish your books through the likes of Ingram sparks, you will need an ISBN to publish.
Purchasing your own ISBNs at the start of your publishing journey may not be possible (due to your budget etc.).
If you intend to have a long-term career as an indie author you should include ownership of your own ISBNs as one of the early expenditures of your publishing plan.
N.B. If you originally published your book through a traditional publisher and you have had your book’s rights reverted to you, don’t keep the ISBN. If they offer to let you keep your ISBN, you are responsible for any returns associated with that book and this can be an unforeseen cost.'Indie' Authors Should Own Their ISBN Share on X
When Do You Need To Change The ISBN For Your Book?
Once you have published your book, you may want to make some changes to the content or the formats of your book.
As an ISBN is a unique identifier for the details of your specific book, you may need a new ISBN:
- If you make substantial changes to your book (e.g. add a new chapter, foreword or appendix) or you create a second edition with new material, it should have a new ISBN.
- If you change the title of your book, it must have a new ISBN.
- If you bring out a different language version of the same book, it must have a new ISBN.
- If you change the price of your book, you do not need a new ISBN.
- If you change the cover of your book, you don’t need a new ISBN unless it substantially changes the book. (This refers to the reader’s experience, if your previous cover was raved about and your new cover is thought to be a disappointment to the readers, you may need a new ISBN).
The reasons that you should change your ISBN are not all listed above. The main point of the ISBN is to ensure that someone buying your book gets the book in the relevant format and condition that they expect it. If you do something irrational like changing the language of your book but don’t change the ISBN, you will have a lot of unhappy readers.
Footnotes
The information in this post should have helped you identify if and when you need to own your own ISBN. It is ultimately your choice and needs to tie in with your publishing strategy.
Although cost may be a factor in acquiring your own ISBN, It should be noted that some countries (such as Canada and New Zealand) provide FREE ISBNs to their citizens. They look at creating books as a cultural activity.