Ten Need to Know Facts About ISBNs and Barcodes

Many first time authors aren’t always in the know when it comes to barcodes and ISBNs. I suggest that every author familiarize themselves, especially if they are deciding to self-publish and are using a self-publishing service for the first time. You don’t want to be caught unawares, nor do you want to be scammed. So take a look and keep these things in mind!

1. What do ISBNs do?
   1. It is how your book is recognized internationally
   2. It’s how stores and those in the publishing industry locate titles
   3. It is also how we keep track of your book and your sales data
2. You can write a book and publish it without an ISBN but…
   1. Bookstores won’t carry it
   2. Libraries won’t carry it
   3. Harder to get reviewers
   4. Harder to locate online
   5. Almost as if it doesn’t exist
3. When you go through a traditional publisher (not a self publishing entity) they provide you with an ISBN and barcode
4. Your book doesn’t have to be published before you get an ISBN
   1. You can buy as many as you like through Bowker (US residents) or MyIdentifiers (International residents)  and save them for when you do publish
   2. ISBNs don’t expire but you do need to register them
      1. You can register them as soon as they are approved through Bowker or MyIdentifiers
   3. Oh, and for those who live in Canada, you can get both an ISBN and a barcode for free
5. When would I need a new ISBN for my book?
   1. For large print
   2. Change of format (audiobook or ebook)
   3. New editions that include large changes such as added chapters or new data
      1. You DON’T need to buy a new ISBN for small edits or new covers
6. Some self publishers provide you with an ISBN for free such as Amazon and a few others
   1. Warnings about getting a free ISBN via a self publishing entity
      1. You have to give the source credit as publisher
      2. You cannot transfer that ISBN. 
         1. EX.) If you published on one site but want to move to another site or have bookstores carry it, you may be required to get a new ISBN
      3. You could possibly have multiple ISBNs for the same book which looks very unprofessional
7. Barcodes ARE NOT ISBNs
   1. You will have to buy a barcode if your publisher doesn’t provide one
8. Don’t get a barcode from a free site!
   1. You then run the risk of getting a barcode that is corrupted and cannot be scanned which defeats the purpose of having one
9. Copyrighting a book is relatively easy. Here are some sites:
   1. LegalZoom
   2. Library of Congress
   3. Bowker
10. If your publisher isn’t clear about whether they provide copyright or not, steer clear of them!
    1. As I explained in the meeting. Just publishing something does not mean you have a copyright. Be careful!

Written by Chyina Powell