Do I Need an ISBN for my Book?

Which books need them and what will they do for you?

Sep 7, 2006 Kimberly Dawn Wells

ISBNs are often seen as complicated codes that only professional authors can get on their books. This isn't so; they are easy to acquire for any new author.

Eventually, you may reach the stage of publishing where you wonder, "Should I get an ISBN for my book?" An ISBN, or International Standard Book Number, is a unique number that identifies a book. Why does this concern you as an author? This number is what allows you or a bookstore to identify a specific book, even if there are multiple books with the same title or authors with the same name. Publishers, retailers, and even libraries use this number exclusively to identify a book.

Most traditional publishers will handle this process for you as part of the publishing process. If you're self-publishing or printing-on-demand, you may be on your own. There are several good reasons for getting an ISBN for your book, and it isn't as hard as you may think.

Nearly all large book retailers, and most small ones for that matter, give this code great importance and will not sell your book if it is not listed through a wholesaler or supplier with an ISBN. For example, you would need to apply for an ISBN in order to sell books through Barnes & Noble or Amazon.com, or to make sure that stores like ShopKo and Target could order it.

Having an ISBN will also help you be taken more seriously as an author. Potential publishers, retailers, and agents will see that you understand the steps that are necessary to secure an ISBN and other distributing related tools. It shows that you take your work seriously and are interested in being a part of the distributing and promotion process.

Many online print-on-demand publishing services can assist you with getting an ISBN. Lulu.com is one POD publisher that provides ISBN and distribution services. Even if you have to go it alone, the process is fairly simple and inexpensive when you consider the per-code cost and the value that it provides.

If you're only interested in publishing an ebook or a bound book for your personal use or small-time promotional needs, you probably don't need an ISBN. If you'd like to compete in the retail marketplace and promote yourself as an author, an ISBN is one step in the distribution process that you will want to consider.

The copyright of the article Do I Need an ISBN for my Book? in Resources for Writers is owned by Kimberly Dawn Wells. Permission to republish Do I Need an ISBN for my Book? in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.