This blog post is inspired by my inbox and clients’ questions about ISBNs.
It’s important to know this information so that you can make an informed decision about how to publish your book.
Plus, there are legal implications depending on your choice.
Understand your ISBN options
Understanding your options and what happens when you obtain an ISBN (be it from Nielsen directly or through a publisher) will help you with your next steps and what marketing options you have.
For instance, if you’ve obtained your own ISBN you’ll need to register it once your book is printed, something most first-time writers forget (or don’t realise they need to). If you skip this step, then your book won’t be visible to online suppliers OR listed in the national database so that bookshops can order and supply to anyone who enquires or tries to buy your book in store.
Simply having an ISBN and barcode on your back cover won’t do anything unless you register it. This information is then trickled out to bookstores and Amazon. All of the instructions are given to you when you purchase your ISBN – so keep this info to hand and don’t forget to complete this step.
ISBNs are powerful pieces of information and without them, your book can only be sold directly through you and nowhere else. This is why it’s really important to understand your options and what steps to take once you’ve got one.
In some cases you don’t even need an ISBN. For instance, if you’re just writing a book for family and friends and have no intention of selling it, then don’t waste your money on one. Exactly the same applies if you’re only planning on selling the books directly (through your website).
ISBN legal implications
There are legal obligations when you purchase and register an ISBN and a lot of new authors don’t realise what that is. Don’t be caught out as reversing an ISBN purchase isn’t possible.
There are legal implications when you register an ISBN too, so you have to take that in consideration. If you’re printing 50 hardback books and you buy and register your ISBN, 5 of those copies need to be sent to the various libraries… this can be an expensive exercise and you won’t be reimbursed.
An ISBN does not grant you copyright. If you’re printing your book in the UK declaring the copyright on your title verso page automatically does that. An ISBN is not associated with copyright at all.
To find out more about common myths with ISBNs – click here.
Publishers and ISBNs
Of course if you’re publishing through a third party, or you have a publishing contract, then you don’t need to worry about this as they will do this for you. The same goes if you choose to use a free ISBN from Amazon. Whoever owns the ISBN becomes the publisher and you need to declare that on your title verso page.
The same applies if you’ve published through me, Compass-Publishing UK. Anything ISBN related gets done for you, but you still need to be aware of library deposits and how bookshops will order your book. All of this gets explained when we reach that stage, making the publishing process stress free and easy to implement whilst still allowing your books to be ordered through bookshops across the country.
Need to know all of your options? Then click here to get my ebook, Publishing Your Book; How, What and Everything in Between.
Next steps
If you’re still unsure which option is best for you and your book, go and grab yourself a copy of my book (link above). It explains all of your options, including everything that I’ve touched on in this blog.
If you want to get in touch and see how I can help with your book, simply email me at alexa@thebookrefinery.com with ISBN help in the subject line. I’ll be happy to go through your options and answer any additional questions.
As always, keep going!
Alexa Whitten is…
Authormaker at The Writers’ Refinery
Cohost of The Pen to Published Podcast
Get in touch Contact Alexa
