A little while ago, I published a really long blog post with tips to help writers learn more about self-publishing their books before taking the leap. Sure, this was a bit of backdoor promotion for my own recently self-published short story collection, Mostly Nice Monsters (And a Few Nasties) — AVAILABLE NOW! But it’s also because I genuinely like helping other writers and want more interesting creative ideas to see the light of day. In this (much shorter article), I’ll walk you through the importance of buying your own International Standard Book Number (ISBN) and why it makes sense to buy them in bulk instead of one at a time. (Spoiler: It’s cheaper. But it also gives you greater control over where your book is sold. Plus, it’s a strategic move for thinking of your writing career as a long game instead of a one-and-done project.)
Let’s face it. Times are tough. Unless you have a great agent willing to champion your book, it can be hard to get your book in the hands of readers. According to a recent study, 43% of Gen-Z respondents said they rarely read for enjoyment. If you’re using your critical thinking skills to connect the dots, that may mean that publishers are less likely to take a risk on new or unproven authors, or on a book that doesn’t ladder up to a literary trend.
While those numbers are depressing as hell, there are still many writers who want to tell their stories and readers who want to immerse themselves in something that isn’t AI slop. While self-publishing opens the door for more creative autonomy, writers themselves don’t have mountains of cash to throw at something they believe in. (And yes, many of us suck at promoting our own work. This blog post is my own half-assed attempt at that while still trying to do some good.)
Right now, you have to be smart about getting your book out there — or at least not spending a ton of money to bring your creative vision to fruition. One of the things you’ll need for your book is an ISBN number, which is essential for distribution.
What is an ISBN Number?
Like a UPC code on the back of a product or your own Social Security Number, an ISBN is a unique, 13-digit code that’s essential for distributing your book. “ISBN” stands for “International Book Standard Number.” It’s used by retailers, libraries, and distributors to catalog your book and help it get found. You can typically find a book’s ISBN number on the back cover near the barcode. You can also find it inside the book on the copyright page, usually before the title page.
Every format and edition of your book (paperback, ebook, hardcover, and even audiobook) requires its own unique ISBN. ISBNs are not free and, in most cases, must be purchased through a publishing services agency like Bowker in the U.S.
For instance, I had to purchase one ISBN for the paperback version of my book and a second ISBN for the Kindle version. If I wind up releasing an audiobook, that will require shelling out for a third ISBN. Years down the line, if I ever decide to publish a Special 10th Anniversary Cash Grab Edition of my book with never-before-seen sentences, that edition — and its various formats — will require yet another ISBN or set of ISBNs.
Why You Should Buy Your Own ISBN
If you’re publishing your book through Amazon’s KDP program, they will give you a free ISBN for each version of your book that you publish through their service. Amazon’s version of an ISBN is a 10-digit code called called an ASIN (Amazon Standard Identification Number). But there’s a catch! Nothing is ever totally free.
When you opt for a free ASIN through Amazon instead of purchasing your own ISBN, you are locked into Amazon’s distribution system and cannot take your book to another vendor outside of that network. They just won’t recognize that ASIN number the way they would an ISBN, which is a global standard.
Granted, Amazon has a pretty robust distribution network. If you don’t plan to sell your book anywhere but Amazon, an ASIN will suit you just fine. However, purchasing your own ISBN gives you more flexibility to sell your books and ebooks with Amazon competitors like Barnes & Noble, Books-a-Million (BAM), Bookshop.org, Google Play, Apple Books, and other online or brick-and-mortar retailers. Also, if you intend to sell your book on your own website or even at a local independent book store, you’ll need your own ISBN.
Do I Need a Different ISBN for Every Different Store Where I Plan to Sell My Book?
Nope! While you need a different ISBN for every format of your book (hardcover, audiobook, ebook, etc.), you do not need to have a different ISBN for every retailer or e-tailer where you plan to sell your book. For instance, if you’re selling a paperback version of your book at Barnes & Noble, BAM, Amazon, and your local book store, you can use that same ISBN you’ve assigned to your paperback edition no matter where it’s sold.
How Do You Buy Your Own ISBN?
If you don’t want a free ISBN that locks you into a sole provider’s distribution system, you can purchase your own ISBN or a batch of them via Bowker. Bowker is a publishing services agency that provides ISBNs, barcodes, and resources to writers in the United States, its territories, and Australia. For writers outside those boundaries, the International ISBN Agency is your go-to.
You can purchase a single ISBN or purchase your ISBNs in batches of 10, 100, or even 1,000. If you need barcodes, they also offer bundles that include ISBNs and barcodes together, in case you need them.
Why It Makes Sense to Buy a Batch of ISBNs Instead of Just One
Purchasing a single ISBN costs $125, while buying a batch of 10 ISBNs costs $295. Chances are, if you’re self-publishing a paperback version of your book, you’ll also have a digital ebook version available, too. And if you’re feeling really spunky, you might even put out an audiobook. While most folks who self-publish don’t always release a hardcover version, some do. And you’re gonna need an ISBN for every format of your book. Yes, even if it’s the same book, just a different format.
Right out of the gate, if you purchase two ISBNs separately (one for a paperback version and one for an ebook), that will run you $250. If you pony up an additional $45, you get eight more ISBNs to use at your discretion. If you decide later that you want to release an audiobook of your title, you already have a third ISBN waiting in the wings instead of forking over another $125. Buying a batch of ten ISBNs at the same time also means you can use them whenever you like. Once you buy them, they’re yours forever. So, when you write a brand new book a few years later, you’ve already got a bunch of ISBNs that you can assign to each format.
While Bowker does offer ISBN’s in batches of 10, 100, or even 1,000, let’s not go crazy here! Unless you’re running your own publishing house, you probably won’t have a need for hundreds of ISBNs. Buying 10 at a time is the best value for most self-published writers.
How Do I Keep Track of My ISBNs Once I Buy Them?
Unless you like throwing money out an open window, you’ll want to keep track of your ISBN numbers. (I know if I paid close to $300 for something, I’d want to keep tabs on it!) Here are a few ways to handle that:
- You can create an email file folder for all of your writing-related work in your email account. For instance, if you have Gmail, you can sort all of that info into folders or “star” important messages. When Bowker/MyIdentifiers.com sends you an email with your ISBNs listed, be sure to move that email to the appropriate folder or star it.
- You can also create a spreadsheet and checklist, including a clearly labeled tab for your ISBN numbers. I’ve actually done this for you. All you have to do is make a copy of this free checklist and drop in your own ISBN numbers when you get them. From there, you can keep track of which number has been assigned to which format when you’re ready to publish.
Now Go Forth and Self-Publish!
Getting an ISBN (or a batch of them) is one of the final steps to take before getting your book in the eager hands of your readers. Even if you’re not ready to release your book into the wild just yet, knowing the ins-and-outs of self-publishing can prepare you for the road ahead.
If you have any questions or topics you’d like to see covered in future posts, please drop a comment below! Ditto if you just want to talk about any project you’ve got in the works! Thanks for reading and good luck!
Photo credits
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- Cute cat reading a book (header image) by Pet foto from Pexels
- Cover art for Mostly Nice Monsters by Jorge Iracheta.
Great stuff, kehd!