An ISBN, or International Standard Book Number, is a unique, 13-digit numerical identifier assigned to a particular edition or format of a book. It functions as a product code for booksellers, librarians, distributors, and other organizations so they can identify a specific publication accurately. ISBNs are internationally recognized and used in over 160 countries and territories worldwide. While understanding ISBNs is important for all authors, whether you should purchase your own will ultimately depend on your chosen publishing path and long-term author goals.
Rather than relying solely on a book's title, author, or publisher, industry professionals use the ISBN system to help differentiate an exact version of a book. An ISBN generally identifies not just a title but a particular edition or format of that title. For example, the hardcover, paperback, eBook, and audiobook versions of the same book should each have a different ISBN. A revised edition of a book may require a new ISBN, depending on the amount of content that has been changed, deleted, or added.
ISBNs do not establish copyright ownership of a book, nor do they prove that an individual is the author of a book. They are primarily identification and inventory tools. While an ISBN is not required to publish, it is highly recommended if an author’s goal is to distribute their book widely. Without an ISBN, the author’s distribution options will be very limited. Bookstores and distributors use ISBNs to manage ordering, inventory, sales, and catalogue information. Libraries use ISBNs for organizing, acquiring, and managing their collections, and for assisting patrons with online catalogue searches and digital lending.
For authors, an ISBN can provide professional control over a book's identity while also making the book more discoverable. When an author obtains an ISBN on their own through an official agency, the book’s associated publisher information can reflect the author’s own publishing imprint rather than having a publisher or service provider identified as the publisher.
For traditionally published authors, the publisher will typically manage any required bar codes including the ISBNs. The publisher becomes responsible for ensuring that the appropriate identifiers are associated with the appropriate formats and editions of a book.
For authors pursuing a do-it-yourself path through an online platform like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), an ISBN may be offered at no additional charge or for optional purchase. While this approach may be convenient, authors should carefully review the platform's terms to understand who will be listed as the publisher or imprint, and whether the ISBN can be used outside of that platform. An ISBN supplied by one service or platform may not be transferable for use with another.
If pursuing a supported or assisted self-publishing path, the service provider will likely offer a free ISBN with the purchase of a publishing package. Because the publisher is the official purchaser of the ISBN, they will be the publisher of record for the book.
Here are some questions to consider if trying to determine the best path forward for your book:
Do you wish to set up a DBA or LLC to establish a publishing imprint?
Do you plan to limit distribution to one platform only, such as Amazon KDP?
Are you publishing just one book or do you have plans to publish more?
Do you have the budget to buy your own ISBNs?
ISBNs are administered by an official national or territorial ISBN agency. In the United States and its territories, authors can purchase ISBNs directly from Bowker. Because you will need a separate ISBN for each version of your book, the most cost-effective offering is to buy ISBNs in bulk. Bowker’s price for a single ISBN is $125. Authors can see significant savings when they buy the package of ten ISBNs for $295. This reduces the per ISBN price to only $29.50. For prolific authors, there are even larger ISBN bundles that can be purchased. ISBNs never expire, so if you know you will be publishing more than two versions of a book, or, will be publishing more books in the future, the package pricing is the best option. Bowker also provides assistance with purchasing and generating pricing barcodes and offers ISBN/barcode bundles.
Authors or publishers outside of the United States must apply for ISBNs via their national ISBN agency. The International ISBN Agency is the global governing body that oversees the system. Because regulations dictate that you must obtain your ISBN from the national agency where you legally reside or where your publishing company is based, finding your specific local agency is an important first step.
Authors can acquire ISBNs in a variety of ways: through a traditional publisher that has contracted to publish their book, through do-it-yourself publishing platforms or assisted self-publishing service providers, or directly from their national ISBN agency. The best approach depends on the author's chosen publishing path and long-term distribution and author career goals. Although an ISBN is not universally required to publish a book, it is important for authors who want to distribute their work through retailers, bookstores, libraries, wholesalers, and other professional channels. Knowing who supplies it, who it identifies as the publisher, and where it can be used can help authors make informed decisions and avoid challenges later in the publishing process.
Photo credit: JLGutierrez from Getty Images; Photo credit: Ergin Yalcin from Getty Images
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