Q & A about the ISBN
Brief Q & A about ISBNs 
Q:
One of the first questions that anyone new to publishing will ask is, what is an ISBN?
A: ISBN is an acronym that stands for International Standard Book Number. It’s a 13-digit number used as a way to uniquely identify books. ISBNs are used internationally.
(If you’d like to know what the numbers mean, leave a comment below and I’ll be happy to explain it further.)
Q:
Do I need an ISBN, and if so, why?
A:
If you are planning on selling your book(s) in a store, through an online seller (like Amazon) or to libraries, you will need an ISBN. You need an ISBN because it helps them identify the book (and any subsequent editions of the same book). The ISBN also identifies the publisher of the book. This standardized number allows your book to be identified all around the world. (Pretty impressive eh?)
Q:
Does a book have to be published to have an ISBN? What if I am self-publishing?
A:
Bowker will issue an ISBN to a publisher, who will then assign the number to individual books. This can be done before or after the book is written. If you are self-publishing, then you would be the “publisher” and you would get your ISBN directly from Bowker.
Q:
Is an ISBN the same as a bar code like the ones found on the back of books?
A:
Sort of. The bar code is how scanners can recognize an ISBN, like when you purchase a book and the store clerk scans the bar code. The scanner will read it and recognize the bar code as your ISBN but the bar code might also have other information embedded in it, like the cost of the book or other information.
Q:
So should I get a bar code too?
A:
If you plan to sell your book in bookstores you should. If selling online or in person is the way you plan to go, you won’t need a bar code. Keep in mind though that many publishers put them on their books anyway.
Q:
Is an ISBN the same as a copyright?
A:
NO!!! Please, please, please don’t think an ISBN means your book is copyrighted. ISBNs are administered by Bowker, a private company. They are to facilitate the sale of books internationally. Copyrights are administered by the Library of Congress and are a form of intellectual property law.
Q:
I’m sold, so how do I go about getting an ISBN?
A:
If you are going to self-publish your book through CreateSpace you can purchase your ISBN through them but that means CreateSpace will own the ISBN and you won’t be able to use it if you ever want to print the books elsewhere.
You can also go to Identifier Services which is the ISBN website run by Bowker. This is the only company authorized to administer the ISBN program in the United States. (CreateSpace purchases the ISBNs from Bowker and then assigns them to self-pubbers.) So be cautious when you go to purchase your ISBN because there are a number of sites claiming to sell them but some of them are just out to rob you blind.
Q:
It gives the option to buy 1, 10, 100 (or more) ISBNs, so how many do I actually need?
A:
I would recommend the 10 pack. You will need one for a paper version and one for an e-version book if you plan on doing both. You also need separate ISBNs if you do a hardback and a paperback, likewise if you do a second (or more) edition to the same book. A reprint (just small changes to correct typographical errors) is not the same as a new edition. Only major revisions and/or the inclusion of new material, really anything that drastically alters the book will make it a new edition in which case you will need a new ISBN. (A cover change alone is not considered a new edition, FYI.)
This is why purchasing ten ISBNs makes the most sense economically. As you can see, buying one number is the least economical option but if you’re only planning on writing one book, just publishing it as an ebook and then you’re done, then purchasing one is the way to go.
According to Bowker’s site a single ISBN costs $125, 10 ISBNs will cost you $295, 100 will cost $575 and more than that you will have to contact them for the price. You can see that the cost per ISBN goes down with the more you purchase so think ahead which price would be the most economical for you.
*Keep in mind that you have to list the “publisher” up front so whether it’s just your name or an impress you create, that publisher name will be listed on each of the numbers that you purchase.
*It should also be noted that barcodes cost extra, just something else you will need to take into consideration.
Q:
Finally, where should I put the ISBN once I have it?
A:
The ISBN goes on the copyright page. It’s also included in the Cataloging-in-Publication data block, if you use one. And don’t forget to put it on the back cover as part of the bar code or without it if you aren’t using a bar code. If you’re still uncertain, take out a copy of any book published by a large publisher and follow their example. You can check more than one book if you’re really worried about getting it right.
Do you have any other questions about ISBNs feel free to leave them in the comments below and I’ll do my best to help you out with them.
Until we meet again.