Everything Self-Publishing Authors Need to Know about ISBN
An ISBN is a unique code that identifies your book worldwide, ensuring it’s properly cataloged by retailers and libraries.
It’s an essential step in the self-publishing process, giving your book the recognition it deserves.
When embarking on your self-publishing journey, understanding the importance of an ISBN is crucial. This article will explain what an ISBN is, why it matters, and how you can obtain one, especially if you're a Canadian author. We'll also address the differences between getting your own ISBN versus using the free Amazon ISBN.
What Is an ISBN?
An ISBN, or International Standard Book Number, is a 13-digit code that uniquely identifies your book. It’s used by booksellers, libraries, and distributors to track and manage books across various formats like print, ebook, and audiobook. Each format of your book requires its own ISBN, meaning if you publish a paperback, hardcover, and ebook, each will need a separate ISBN.
Why Is an ISBN Important?
An ISBN plays a critical role in the discoverability and distribution of your book. Without it, your book won’t be properly cataloged by retailers or libraries, and you might miss out on potential sales and visibility. It ensures that your book is correctly registered and easily found in global databases.
ISBNs for Canadian Authors
If you’re a Canadian resident, you’re in luck. In Canada, ISBNs are available for free through the Canadian ISBN Agency. While this saves you money, there is a process involved: you must create an account and provide key details such as your book’s title, format, and publication date.
ISBNs for U.S. Authors
In contrast, U.S. authors need to purchase their ISBNs through Bowker Identifier Services, and the cost can add up. Depending on how many formats you plan to publish, the expense may range from hundreds to thousands of dollars. This is why Canadian authors should take full advantage of their free ISBN access.
Free Amazon ISBN vs. Your Own ISBN
What Is an Amazon ISBN?
When you publish through Amazon’s Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), the platform offers a free ISBN. However, this Amazon ISBN comes with a major limitation: it ties your book to Amazon. You won’t be able to use that same ISBN to distribute your book on other platforms like IngramSpark or Smashwords.
Benefits of Getting Your Own ISBN
By obtaining your own ISBN, you gain the freedom to distribute your book across multiple platforms. This flexibility is essential if you want to expand your reach beyond Amazon. Yes, there may be costs involved if you’re a U.S. author, but the control and opportunities it offers are worth it.
How to Get an ISBN
For Canadian Authors
If you're a Canadian resident, registering for an ISBN is a straightforward process. You can request one through Library and Archives Canada by creating an account and submitting your book’s information. It’s important to do this well before your planned publication date, as it may take a few days or even weeks for approval.
At Foglio Custom Book Specialists, we offer assistance with the entire ISBN registration process, ensuring your book is properly cataloged and ready for distribution. While ISBN registration is free for Canadian authors, we facilitate the process as part of our comprehensive design and publication services, so you can focus on other aspects of your book.
For U.S. Authors
If you're based in the U.S., you’ll need to purchase an ISBN through Bowker. Make sure to buy enough ISBNs to cover all the formats in which you plan to publish your book (e.g., paperback, hardcover, ebook, audiobook).
Conclusion: Should You Use a Free Amazon ISBN?
While the free Amazon ISBN is tempting, it limits your book to Amazon’s platform. Getting your own ISBN, especially if you're self-publishing and want broader distribution, gives you more flexibility and control. If you're a Canadian author, the fact that ISBNs are free makes it an even easier decision.
Get Expert Help with ISBN Registration
If you’re ready to publish your book and need assistance with ISBN registration, formatting, cover design, or navigating the self-publishing process, contact Foglio Custom Book Specialists. Our team will help you through every step of the process, including securing your free ISBN in Canada. We don’t charge directly for ISBN registration—we simply facilitate it as part of our comprehensive publishing services.
We can also obtain an ISBN barcode for your book, complete with region-specific pricing. This is standard for all cover design services provided by Foglio
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