As a self-published author, you’ve probably come across the term ISBN during your research on the publishing process. If you’re feeling unsure about what it is, why you need one, or how to obtain it, don’t worry—you’re not alone! Understanding ISBNs is an important step in making your book look professional and ensuring it’s available to bookstores, libraries, and readers worldwide.
In this blog, we’ll break down what an ISBN is, why it’s essential for self-published authors, and how to obtain one so you can set your book up for success.
What is an ISBN?
ISBN stands for International Standard Book Number. It’s a unique identifier for books, similar to a social security number for a person. Every book published in any format—whether it's printed, eBook, or audiobook—needs its own ISBN to be tracked and distributed.
The ISBN is used by publishers, booksellers, and libraries to identify books in their catalogue systems, making it easier for readers and retailers to find, order, and purchase your book.
An ISBN is made up of 13 digits (since 2007) and includes key information about your book, such as:
- Country of origin
- Publisher (or self-publisher in the case of indie authors)
- Title and edition of the book
- Format (paperback, hardcover, eBook, audiobook, etc.)
The ISBN is also used for sales tracking, inventory management, and royalty payments. Without it, your book may not be listed in book databases, making it harder for readers and bookstores to discover your work.
Why Do Self-Published Authors Need an ISBN?
As a self-published author, you might wonder if you really need an ISBN. After all, can’t you just upload your book without one? While some platforms (like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing or IngramSpark) allow you to skip the ISBN, here’s why it’s still highly recommended to obtain one:
1. Professionalism and Credibility
An ISBN gives your book a professional appearance. It signals to readers, retailers, and libraries that your book is published according to industry standards. If you plan to sell your book in bookstores or libraries, having an ISBN is often a requirement.
2. Distribution and Sales Tracking
Without an ISBN, your book will have difficulty being distributed through major retailers and platforms. Many bookstores, libraries, and distributors rely on ISBNs to track sales and manage inventory. For example, if your book is going to be sold in brick-and-mortar stores or libraries, they will almost certainly require an ISBN.
3. Formats Matter
If you’re publishing your book in multiple formats (e.g., paperback, hardcover, eBook, or audiobook), each format requires its own ISBN. This ensures that each version is uniquely identified and can be tracked independently. If you plan to release your book in different formats, securing separate ISBNs for each one will make managing these versions easier.
4. Ownership and Control
When you purchase your ISBN directly, you retain full ownership and control over the ISBN. If you choose to publish through certain platforms, they might offer you a free ISBN, but that ISBN will be tied to their name as the publisher, not yours. Owning your ISBN allows you to maintain control of your book and its metadata regardless of which platform you choose to distribute it through.
What Happens if You Don’t Have an ISBN?
While it’s true that some self-publishing platforms will let you publish without an ISBN, there are significant limitations:
- Limited distribution: Major retailers, libraries, and distributors may not carry your book if it doesn’t have an ISBN.
- Less professional appearance: Books without ISBNs often appear less legitimate or “self-published” in a negative sense. They lack the recognition that comes with having an ISBN registered to a reputable publisher (even if that’s you!).
- No sales tracking: Without an ISBN, you won’t have the same access to sales data and royalty payments. Platforms might track your sales internally, but an ISBN ensures that all sales and royalties are properly accounted for across different retailers.
How to Get an ISBN as a Self-Published Author
Now that you understand why an ISBN is important, you’re probably wondering how to obtain one. Here’s the step-by-step process:
1. Decide Where to Purchase Your ISBN
The first step is to decide whether you’ll buy your ISBN directly or obtain one through a self-publishing platform. You have several options:
- Directly from the official ISBN agency: In most countries, ISBNs are issued by a national ISBN agency. For example, in Australia, the official ISBN agency is the National Library of Australia and Thorpe-Bowker. If you want complete control over your ISBN and metadata, you can purchase your ISBN directly from the agency in your country.
- Through a self-publishing platform: Many self-publishing platforms, such as Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, or Smashwords, offer free ISBNs for authors who want to publish their book through their platform. While these free ISBNs are convenient, they will list the platform as the publisher, not you. If you plan to publish through multiple channels and want to retain control of your book’s metadata, it’s best to purchase your own ISBN.
2. Purchase Your ISBN
When purchasing an ISBN, you’ll need to choose how many ISBNs you’d like to buy. ISBNs are sold individually, or you can buy them in bulk for a discounted price. If you plan to release multiple formats (e.g., eBook, paperback, hardcover), you’ll need separate ISBNs for each version.
The cost of an ISBN can vary (starting from around $90), and bundle offers are available.
3. Register Your ISBN
Once you have your ISBN, the next step is to register it. This is done through the ISBN agency where you purchased it. Registration typically includes entering information about the book, such as:
- Book title and subtitle
- Author name
- Publisher (you, in the case of self-publishing)
- Book format (paperback, hardcover, eBook, etc.)
- Genre and keywords
- Publication date
Be sure to fill in the information accurately as some information cannot be changed, and as this metadata will be used by retailers, libraries, and distributors to catalogue your book.
4. Use Your ISBN to Publish Your Book
Once your ISBN is registered and associated with your book, you can use it to publish and distribute your book on various platforms. When uploading your book to platforms like Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, or Smashwords, you’ll be asked to provide your ISBN.
If you purchased your ISBN from the platform itself, they will automatically associate it with your book. If you purchased your ISBN directly, you’ll input it manually during the publishing process.
Should You Use a Free ISBN or Buy Your Own?
While a free ISBN may seem like the easiest option, owning your own ISBN gives you far more flexibility and control over your book. When you own the ISBN, you’re the publisher of record, and you can publish and distribute your book anywhere you choose—without restrictions tied to the platform.
If you’re serious about self-publishing and want to retain control over your book’s distribution and metadata, it’s worth the investment to buy your own ISBN.
In summary
An ISBN is essential for self-published authors who want their books to be taken seriously and distributed widely. Not only does it make your book more professional, but it also enables distribution through major retailers, sales tracking, and gives you ownership over your work.
Whether you decide to purchase your ISBN directly or obtain one through a platform, understanding the role of the ISBN in the publishing process is an important step in making sure your book reaches its full potential.