A Guide to ISBNs

ISBNs are an intrinsic part of the book industry, but when it comes to obtaining one, there are a few choices to be made. This guide aims to clarify the options available to you and help you decide what's best.

What is an ISBN?

• An ISBN is a unique identification number specific to a title, a format, and an edition. For example, your paperback must have a different ISBN from your hardback, and your revised second edition must have a different ISBN from your first.

• ISBNs are used by retailers, libraries and distributors to find books in their listings, track stock and monitor sales.

• ISBNs are linked to other metadata like author details, publisher name, book price, and publication date.

• An ISBN will make your book easier to discover in databases, catalogues, and online stores. Without one, it will be invisible in the retail world.

  
  

Modern ISBNs are made up of a 13-digit code in five distinct parts. Let’s take this example:

 •  978 means that it’s part of the book industry.

•  1 means it’s from an English-speaking region

•  7384 is the Publisher’s Identifier (or imprint)

•  5310 is specific to the title or edition

•  8 is the Check Digit, generated from a mathematical formula to validate the ISBN.

To buy or not to buy?

You will accumulate a few ISBNs with the more books you write, so it’s worth considering whether to buy your own or take the free one from Amazon each time you publish.

Things to consider:

• If you purchase your own ISBN, then you will be listed as the publisher. You can create your own publishing name, known as an imprint, which will give a more professional and established feel to your catalogue listings.

• The free ISBNs from Amazon will only list your work as “self-published by Amazon”.

• If you have your own ISBN, you can publish across different platforms simultaneously e.g Amazon, IngramSpark, Book Vault etc.

• If you choose Amazon’s free ISBN, you are tied exclusively to Amazon.

What about ebooks?

•  eBooks don't legally require an ISBN for platforms like Amazon KDP or Apple Books, and Amazon uses its own identifier anyway, called an ASIN. But if you're planning to publish an ebook widely across different platforms, then an ISBN may help with discoverability and professionalism.

• Neither do audiobooks require an ISBN for digital distribution, although iTunes often assign a free ISBN for their own tracking. You will need an ISBN for an audiobook if you a planning a physical format, such as a CD.

 How to Purchase ISBNs

 In the UK, ISBNs are bought through Nielsen.

  ⁠◦  1 ISBN = £93

  ⁠◦  10 ISBNs = £174

  ⁠◦  100 ISBNs = £387

Your ISBNs never expire, and you can purchase them via the Nielsen UK ISBN Store.

The registration process is fairly simple.

1.    Choose your package

2.    Register your publishing name

3.    Fill in details about your book for the database.

4.    Receive an email with your ISBNs

Your ISBN numbers from Neilson do not come with barcodes, but if you self-publish on Amazon or IngramSpark, then a barcode will be generated for your ISBN when you upload the cover.

If your printer company does not offer a barcode, then you can use a site like Independent Publishing Network, to generate your own.

What should YOU do?

My overall recommendation is that if you are new to self-publishing and not sure where it will take you, then the free ISBN offered by Amazon is a good option. If, however, you're looking to build a brand, expand your distribution, or give customers to ability to order your book into their local book shop, then a long-term investment of ten ISBNs is certainly worth looking into.

Deciding on your imprint.

 One of the fun parts of becoming an author is thinking up your publishing imprint name. Here are some tips to get started:

1.  Define Your Identity

Think about what your work represents. Is it classic and scholarly? Playful and modern? Regency-inspired? Your imprint name should reflect your tone and target audience.

2.  Draw from personal or literary inspiration

Are historical references helpful? (e.g. Steventon Press, Pemberley Editions)

What about nature or architecture? (e.g. Sydney Garden Books, Crescent House Publishing)

Try wordplay or symbolism (e.g. Ink & Ivy, Quillstone)

3. Check your chosen name isn’t already in use

Helpful sites include

  ⁠◦  Companies House

  ⁠◦  Domain name checkers (if you want to link a website)

  ⁠◦  Nielsen’s database when registering your ISBN

4.  Keep It Flexible

Choose a name that can grow with you. For instance, even if you start with a Victorian romance novel, you might later want to publish audiobooks, literary guides, or anthologies on other aspects of history. Remember that these will all be connected with your imprint.

5.  No Legal Setup Required

You don’t need to register as a company to use an imprint name. But if you want to accept payments under that name, you might need to set up a business account.

6. Brainstorm

Say your imprint name out loud or imagine it on a book spine. Does it feel right? Does it evoke the kind of literary presence you want? Write down every idea then eliminate them one at a time. When a few favourites stand out, twist the words or join them together in different combinations.

In time, you will find a favourite and that's your imprint name!