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{"id":610,"date":"2014-07-21T15:20:29","date_gmt":"2014-07-21T15:20:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/thomasmcgann.com\/?p=610"},"modified":"2014-07-21T15:27:37","modified_gmt":"2014-07-21T15:27:37","slug":"international-standard-book-numbers-isbn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/thomasmcgann.com\/so-you-want-to-be-an-author\/international-standard-book-numbers-isbn\/","title":{"rendered":"International Standard Book Numbers (ISBN)"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"International<\/a>

ISBN<\/p><\/div>\n

International Standard Book Numbers (ISBN) are numerical sequences issued as book identifiers. They are required to publish and distribute a book. They consist of thirteen digits that are used to identify the title, author, edition, binding, and publisher of a given work. They are unique to each book and each variation of that book.<\/p>\n

They are country specific, meaning that an agency in the nation in which the book is published is responsible for issuing ISBNs. In the U.S. the only company authorized to\u00a0do so\u00a0is RR Bowker.<\/p>\n

In order to purchase ISBNs you must create an account with Bowker. ISBNs are expensive. A single number costs $125 dollars, but you can buy them in bulk which drops the price considerably, e.g. 10 numbers cost $295 dollars and 1000 cost $1000 dollars. If you choose to buy in bulk, the company will store your unused ISBNs until such time as you need them.<\/p>\n

Bowker also sells barcodes which are used with hardcover and paperback editions.<\/p>\n

Each book and\/or variations of that book, except reprints, require a different number. This means that a hardcover, paperback, large print, and audio books of the same work would all require different ISBNs. This is also true for new editions and successive books in a series. In no case may you use the same number for different versions of the same work, e.g. paperback and audio. See https:\/\/www.myidentifiers.com\/help\/isbn<\/a> for a listing of what products require numbers.<\/p>\n

When you select a POD publisher to print your book, you will be required to provide an ISBN. If you do not have one, most POD companies will provide one for you, usually at a nominal cost ($10), sometimes for free. They can do this because they buy in bulk. If you use the ISBN they provide, they are credited as your publisher.<\/p>\n

You will notice that ebooks are not mentioned in the above link. Bowker does say on its website that ebooks require an ISBN. However, some authorities on the subject question that assertion. Bowker is, after all, in the business of selling numbers.<\/p>\n

Many (most?) ebooks do not have an ISBN.\u00a0Their authors use the numbers that their POD company supplies. Each company has its own system of assigning tracking numbers. Amazon, for example, does not require an ISBN for its ebooks. It assigns its own 10-digit ASIN (Amazon Standard Identification Number). Barnes and Noble uses a similar system. They do not require an ISBN either, but in this case they assign a 13 digit BN number. Apple\u2019s iBookstore, requires an ISBN for all titles including ebooks.<\/p>\n

There are several circumstances where you might need, or desire, an ISBN for your ebook.<\/p>\n