THE BUSINESS OF PUBLISHING—ISBN Assignment
In the process of getting your book printed and distributed, there is the consideration of the ISBN (International Standard Book Number) prefix. If you don’t already have an ISBN prefix, you can obtain one in the US from RR Bowker at www.isbn.org. If you’re planning on writing and publishing more than one book, it is less expensive and easier to order 10 at a time when you register through their site. It may take up to a week for the processing of your application, so don’t wait until your book is ready for printing to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions About ISBNs
Do I have to get an ISBN?
If you are going to market your books directly and have no desire to sell them in a retail store or through an online retailer, you don’t have to assign an ISBN to your book. If you want to sell books through any retail outlet (other than one you may own) or if you want libraries to order it, you must obtain an ISBN.
What’s the difference between an ISBN and an ISBN prefix?
The ISBN prefix is included in each ISBN. It is the first several digits that are the same in each ISBN assigned to you and identifies your publishing company to retailers. If you use all your ISBNs and apply for more, you will receive another prefix as well. A publishing company may have an unlimited number of prefixes depending on how many books they publish.
What’s the difference between an ISBN and a barcode?
The ISBN is the number itself that you purchase. The barcode is a computer-scannable image (like a UPC) generated from the number. It can be generated by using a software program or purchased from RR Bowker (www.isbn.org).
If I don’t get an ISBN barcode from RR Bowker, where can I get one?
A printable ISBN barcode file can be obtained free from www.myidentifiers.com/barcode/faqs. You may give that website to your cover designer or submit the information yourself. If you decide to do it yourself, be sure to follow each step on the website carefully. When you have completed the process, download the file(s) to your computer) and give the barcode image file to the cover designer to be included on the back cover of the book.
Should I embed the price of my book in the barcode?
Along with the ISBN, the retail price of the book can be embedded in the barcode as well. It is easier for retailers to find the price of your book if it is embedded in the barcode, so the practice is recommended, however it is your option to decide. For additional information on how to format the price of your book, consult www.myidentifiers.com/barcode/faqs.
What do I do once I get my numbers?
After you get your ISBN numbers from Bowker (www.isbn.org), you’ll need to assign an ISBN to your book. Once an ISBN is listed in the Bowker Books in Print database, it cannot be reassigned to any other book title.
Can I use the same ISBN for hardback and paperback versions of the same book?
ISBN rules require you to assign a different ISBN for each different format of the book. A paperback, hardback, and e-book version of the same title must each have their own ISBN. A new edition of a book title must have a new ISBN.
Does the ISBN barcode have to be a certain size?
The ISBN barcode comes in a standard size, but the recommended size is actually a little smaller: 1.75 inches wide by 1 inch high. This size is still scannable by retailers and looks cleaner on the back of a book. The barcode should be placed on the lower right-hand side of the back cover, at least a half-inch from the bottom and spine.
I’ve heard that reviewers and some booksellers can tell if I’m a small publisher by my ISBN number. Is this true and will it affect sales?
ISBNs are coded with a number in what is called the “penultimate block.” If you purchase a block of 10, that number appears as a single digit. A block of 100 is a double digit and blocks of 1,000 show triple digits. By looking at the ISBN, booksellers can see how many ISBN numbers you’ve purchased, and from there figure out how large your publishing house is. However, if your book is well-written, professionally edited and designed, and if it is an interesting subject to readers, it will sell no matter which block you purchased.
What do the numbers in an ISBN mean?
Country Code
Article Identifier
Penultimate Block
Check Digit Price Code
Publisher Prefix
Tip:
Obtaining an ISBN for each of your published works is a detailed process. The information given does not represent all of the requirements necessary. Go to www.isbn.org and follow the steps to apply for your ISBN.
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THE BUSINESS OF PUBLISHING—Your Business Identity
If you don’t already have a business, it’s time to consider what kind of image you want to portray. The name you choose for your business is a very important consideration. Hopefully, you will decide on a name that relates to your vision and is not hard for people to spell or remember.
Take the time to do some research and make sure the name you want is not already in use. The first place you can consult is your local county clerk’s office. Or, if you are setting up a corporation or limited liability company, you will need to check with the office of your Secretary of State, which approves business entity filings.
You may also want to do a trademark search. There may be no one in your state who is using the name you have chosen, but there may be someone in another state who is using it as a trademark. If there is any possibility that you might be doing business in other states at some point, you may not be allowed to use your trademark, if someone else had it first.
You can check with the Trademark Electronic Search System through the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office known as the TESS database, but even then, what you find may not be accurate as to who might be using the trademark you want.
The best decision would be to use the services of an attorney who specializes in intellectual property. Such an expert should be able to help you do a proper trademark search to determine whether the name you want to use is a safe choice.
Choosing Your Identity
Once you have a name, branding is the most important element necessary for your business. Many authors who do not already have a business will think about branding after their book is published. However, if you are publishing 100% independently, think about branding first. So what is branding? It is simply the choice you make to represent your image to the world. Your logo, colors, tag line—all these things contribute to your “brand.” Think about a large company that has products such as food items, but also crosses over to t-shirts and apparel, toys, books and more. That company probably started out with something simple, like breakfast cereal. They created a logo, tag line, and even possibly a cartoon character to represent the cereal. Then as word spread and people began to buy the cereal, they came out with stuffed toys of their character. The stuffed toys were purchased not only because they were “cute,” but mostly because people were already familiar with the character and recognized it.
Do the same thing with your business. Start with a logo or even a photograph. Or you can choose a specific object or animal to represent your company. One of our book coaching clients chose a butterfly to represent her company, since her first book was an allegory with a butterfly. It didn’t seem to matter what type of butterfly, as when people saw butterflies they told her they thought of her company and book. Several of our clients have opted for a full logo. One of our clients had a logo created of a broken heart to represent her non-profit, and her first book had “broken heart” in the title, so her existing logo helped promote the new book.
An Example of Branding
At Imagine! StudiosTM, we selected a color palate of blue and green to represent our image. Starting with those colors, we came up with a logo that is entertaining and eye-catching. All of our marketing material and training programs use the same shades of blue and green and a similar clean design style. Our logo appears on everything from business cards and brochures to car magnets and books. Using the same logo over and over has helped us create a “brand”—something recognizable that when people see it, they think of Imagine! StudiosTM.
A Note About Color
Color can play a vital role in the feelings you want to invoke from your audience. Use the following color guide when choosing colors for your brand.
Red aggressive, energy, power, anger, hunger, heat, exciting, passionate, enthusiastic
Yellow wisdom, sunshine, joy, radiance, intellect, caution, call to action
Blue water, sky, cool, peace, knowledge, loyalty, trust, contemplation, justice
Green soothing, healing, rest, nature, money, harmony, growth, honesty, truth, testimony
Black night, power, sophisticated, elegant, formal, serious, dignified, solitary, mysterious, intrigue