Best Place to get a ISBN

[Tolkien]

I am considering abandoning all my principles, going against all wise judgment, and using Amazon to self-publish a book. However, I want my own ISBN number so i can sell it anywhere i like. Does anyone have experience with purchasing ISBN numbers where is a good place to go?

 

[Demesnedenoir]

This is to the best of my knowledge...

It can be pricey if you go to the source. I think Bowker is the only official ISBN seller in the US, but by country will vary and I don't know where you're at. But they gouge you for a single ISBN or even 10, so if you want your own ebook, paperback, and hardcover, you need at least 3. That said, I know there are companies out there that buy large chunks of ISBN numbers at discount and resell them. For instance, since I bought 100 ISBNs, I could "sell you one" for $10 and make a 4.25 profit. But do you trust me? So, in the US, you can either pay through the nose to own your own ISBN, or trust a third-party reseller and pay something more reasonable.

 

[Tolkien]

This is to the best of my knowledge...

It can be pricey if you go to the source. I think Bowker is the only official ISBN seller in the US, but by country will vary and I don't know where you're at. But they gouge you for a single ISBN or even 10, so if you want your own ebook, paperback, and hardcover, you need at least 3. That said, I know there are companies out there that buy large chunks of ISBN numbers at discount and resell them. For instance, since I bought 100 ISBNs, I could "sell you one" for $10 and make a 4.25 profit. But do you trust me? So, in the US, you can either pay through the nose to own your own ISBN, or trust a third-party reseller and pay something more reasonable.

Your not kidding, $125 for one ISBN? ouch. I am in US BTW. Thanks for the info, disapointing yes, but thanks. I might just use the free amazon ISBN. Again I can feel my soul dying through this process.

 

[pmmg]

Internet says Draft2Digital can provide one for free. You were looking at that. Is it different than one you would pay for?

 

[Tolkien]

Internet says Draft2Digital can provide one for free. You were looking at that. Is it different than one you would pay for?

That is part of why I liked D2D. The issue with D2D is with paperbacks which I desire and there is no guarantee to get on their beta list. Since it is in beta I have concerns for the quality as well.

 

[Demesnedenoir]

D2D for ebook and Ingram Spark for your PB and HC. Ingram makes you pay for setup, $25 for cover and $25 for MS, but the ISBN is free. I think.

 

[Tolkien]

D2D for ebook and Ingram Spark for your PB and HC. Ingram makes you pay for setup, $25 for cover and $25 for MS, but the ISBN is free. I think.

I like it.

 

[ThinkerX]

Your not kidding, $125 for one ISBN? ouch. I am in US BTW. Thanks for the info, disapointing yes, but thanks. I might just use the free amazon ISBN. Again I can feel my soul dying through this process.

Your best bet is the Bowker 10 pack - $295 for ten, or just under $30 each. That is what I went for.

Keep in mind that there is also the copyright and barcode (for paper books) to spend money on. Between them, that is most of another hundred bucks.

That said...have you lined up a cover yet? Figure another couple hundred bucks there.

Advertising/promotion...probably at least a couple hundred a month, depending.

 

[Tolkien]

Your best bet is the Bowker 10 pack - $295 for ten, or just under $30 each. That is what I went for.

Keep in mind that there is also the copyright and barcode (for paper books) to spend money on. Between them, that is most of another hundred bucks.

That said...have you lined up a cover yet? Figure another couple hundred bucks there.

Advertising/promotion...probably at least a couple hundred a month, depending.

The cover is set. I plan on learning about marketing as my last step before publishing.

I did not realize I need to pay for a barcode. Do services like Amazon or D2D provide them?

 

[ThinkerX]

The cover is set. I plan on learning about marketing as my last step before publishing.

I did not realize I need to pay for a barcode. Do services like Amazon or D2D provide them?

Bowker sells the barcodes for paper books. I don't remember if D2D does right off.

 

[ThinkerX]

With marketing, a big element will be keywords.

 

[Tolkien]

With marketing, a big element will be keywords.

Just wondering, have you found advertising worth the benefits, and what did you do for your works?

 

[Demesnedenoir]

I don't mess with barcodes, Ingram barcodes my hardcovers for me, I'm assuming they'd do the PB as well. B&N also handles their own barcodes (and ISBN if you let them).

 

[Tolkien]

I don't mess with barcodes, Ingram barcodes my hardcovers for me, I'm assuming they'd do the PB as well. B&N also handles their own barcodes (and ISBN if you let them).

Perfect. Ingram seems a great place. Thanks for all the help and advice.

 

[Prince of Spires]

I've never bothered with barcodes either. Don't pay for them, ever. Both Amazon and D2D put it on if you don't have one on your cover. And if you really want your own there's plenty of places online where you can generate one for free.

 

[Tolkien]

I've never bothered with barcodes either. Don't pay for them, ever. Both Amazon and D2D put it on if you don't have one on your cover. And if you really want your own there's plenty of places online where you can generate one for free.

Perfect, Ty.

 

[Demesnedenoir]

I would never use free bar codes unless selling your own at conventions, have your own store, or whatever. I had a little winery, and for vintages I was only selling from my storefront I would slap out my own barcodes. But, retail locations like grocery stores wouldn't have accepted those. I have no idea about book stores, but you're better off using those provided by the big boys like Amazon, B&N, Ingram, etc.

I've never bothered with barcodes either. Don't pay for them, ever. Both Amazon and D2D put it on if you don't have one on your cover. And if you really want your own there's plenty of places online where you can generate one for free.

 

[Tolkien]

I would never use free bar codes unless selling your own at conventions, have your own store, or whatever. I had a little winery, and for vintages I was only selling from my storefront I would slap out my own barcodes. But, retail locations like grocery stores wouldn't have accepted those. I have no idea about book stores, but you're better off using those provided by the big boys like Amazon, B&N, Ingram, etc.

Wine makes the heart glad.

I am going to take advantage of the free barcodes provided by amazon D2D etc

 

[Demesnedenoir]

And makes the head pound, heh heh.

Wine makes the heart glad.

I am going to take advantage of the free barcodes provided by amazon D2D etc

 

[Tolkien]

And makes the head pound, heh heh.

Indeed. More so than beer that's for sure.