Being a children’s ghostwriter, I get a lot of clients who self-publish. Many of them use self-publishing services to do the work for them: format, design, publish, and distribute the book.
If you self-publish a physical book or ebook and intend to sell it online, in bookstores, or pretty much anywhere else, you will need an ISBN.
What Does ISBN Stand for?
It stands for International Standard Book Number, and every book must have one to be sold.
According to ISBN.org,
The purpose of the ISBN is to establish and identify one title or edition of a title from one specific publisher. It is unique to that edition, allowing for more efficient marketing of products by booksellers, libraries, universities, wholesalers, and distributors.
Each format or binding must have a separate ISBN (i.e., hardcover, paperbound, VHS video, laserdisc, ebook format, etc.). A new ISBN is required for a revised edition. The ISBN is printed above the bar code on the back cover of the book and the copyright page. Once assigned, the ISBN cannot be reused.
The ISBN’s purpose is to create a unique identity for your book so you can sell it. This uniqueness is essential for book dealers, libraries, and other sources to be able to find and identify specific books.
Where Do You Get an ISBN?
If you’re using a self-publishing service, like Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, BookBaby.com, PublishingPush.com, Smashwords, Lulu, or similar entities, you don’t need to get your own ISBN, the service will give you one for FREE.
Getting a free ISBN may seem like a great deal. Who doesn’t like free?
BUT …
If you use a free ISBN from a self-publishing service, they’ll be listed as the Publisher of your book, or it will say Independently Published.
In addition to this, according to Self-Publishing School, there’s another problem, “Most of the time, you can only use those free ISBNs with the channels those companies distribute through.” (1)
For these reasons, I strongly advise my clients to get their own ISBNs.
Where Can You Get Your Own ISBN?
If you’ve thought about it and decided you don’t want the self-publishing company to be listed as the publisher of your book, you can get an ISBN through Bowker at https://www.myidentifiers.com/
One number costs $125, but you can get 10 for $295 (these fees are as of the last time I researched them).
Unless you intend to be a one-book-wonder with only two formats of your book, you might want to go for the 10-pack. If your budget allows, it’s worth the investment.
What Name Should You Choose for Your Publishing Company
You can choose whatever publishing name you want to use. I made mine Writers on The Move Press. One of my clients created Tree Wisdom Press; another used his last name. Go simple or get creative.
For a lot more on the ISBN, check out:
(1) https://self-publishingschool.com/isbn/
(2) https://www.thebookdesigner.com/2010/03/isbn-for-self-publishers-answers-to-20-of-your-questions
Whether you need ghostwriting, editing, or coaching, let me take a look at your story. Let’s get your idea off the launch pad or your outline into a publishable story!
Or maybe you’d rather do-it-yourself. Check out my book, How to Write a Children’s Fiction Book.
Do you have your children’s manuscript already done and need help self-publishing? Click the link to find out how Writers on the Move Self-Publishing Service can help you.
You can contact me at: kcioffiventrice@gmail.com. Or, you can give me a call at 834—347—6700. (Please leave a message – I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.)
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