When preparing to publish a book, one of the most crucial steps is registering your ISBN number. It’s a detail many authors overlook or misunderstand, but it plays a major role in how your book is discovered, tracked, and sold. Services like ISBN Services help independent authors and publishers obtain ISBN numbers easily and correctly, removing much of the confusion from the process.
But what exactly comes with registering an ISBN number? And what doesn’t? Knowing the difference can save you time, money, and publishing headaches.
What’s Included When You Register an ISBN Number
1. Unique Identifier for Your Book
Every ISBN number is a 13-digit code that acts as a digital fingerprint for a specific version of your book. It links essential metadata such as the title, author, publisher, and format. If you’re publishing a paperback and an eBook, each requires its own ISBN.
2. Metadata Entry and Listing
Registering an ISBN means submitting detailed information about your book:
- Title and subtitle
- Author or editor
- Language
- Format (e.g., paperback, ePub, hardcover)
- Publication date
- Publisher or self-publisher name
This information is used by retailers, libraries, wholesalers, and online platforms to categorize and display your book correctly in their systems.
3. Database Inclusion
When you register your ISBN with an authorized agency, your book is added to global bibliographic databases like ISBN Services (for U.S. authors). This database is consulted by libraries, bookstores, distributors, and search engines to find accurate book listings.
4. Control Over Your Book’s Publishing Identity
If you register your own ISBN number rather than letting a platform like Amazon assign one, you remain the publisher of record. This gives you full control over branding, pricing, and distribution rights, a significant benefit for independent authors.
5. Proof of Professionalism
A properly registered ISBN signals that you’re serious about your book. It makes your work appear credible and aligns it with industry standards, an important step if you want to be taken seriously by booksellers and libraries.
What’s NOT Included When You Register an ISBN Number
1. Copyright Registration
An ISBN number does not protect your content. It only identifies it. You still need to file a separate copyright registration with the appropriate office in your country (e.g., the U.S. Copyright Office).
2. Barcodes
ISBN and barcodes are often confused. A barcode (typically with the ISBN embedded) is needed for physical books sold in retail stores. It must be created separately using barcode-generating tools or purchased as an add-on.
3. Editing, Design, or Formatting Services
Registering an ISBN won’t get your book edited or formatted. You’ll need to hire professionals or use publishing platforms to handle interior layout and cover design.
4. Distribution or Printing
An ISBN doesn’t get your book into bookstores or print-on-demand systems. You’ll still need to work with companies like Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, or a printing service for distribution and printing.
FrequentlyAsked Questions
Q: Do I need a separate ISBN for each format of my book?
Yes. A paperback, hardcover, and eBook version of the same book each require a unique ISBN number.
Q: Can I use an ISBN from a free source like Amazon?
Yes, but Amazon will list themselves as the publisher. If you want to retain publishing rights and control, you should purchase your own ISBN.
Q: How long does it take to register an ISBN?
If done through a platform like ISBN Services or directly through Bowker, it can be completed in as little as one business day.
Q: Do ISBNs expire?
No. Once assigned, an ISBN number is permanently linked to that specific edition of your book.
Final Thoughts
Registering an ISBN number is one of the foundational steps in professional publishing. It ensures that your book is uniquely identified, properly listed, and easier to find in bookstores, libraries, and online. While ISBN Services makes it easy to acquire and register ISBNs, knowing what’s included, and what’s not, helps you prepare the rest of your publishing journey with clarity.
Founder Dinis Guarda
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