ISBN FAQ For Authors and Publishers
ISBN And What You Need To Know... I hope the answers to the most frequently asked questions will
give you a better understanding of the International Book Number
(ISBN), how it works, where to get them and so on - and best of
luck with your writing career.
The International Book Number (ISBN) is a 10-digit number that uniquely
identifies books published internationally. The system was established
in 1968 as a standard identification system and is used to identify a
title or edition of a title from a specific publisher. Each number is
unique to that edition, ie: a hardcover, CD, or eBook format of the same
title would each have their own unique number. Today all book databases use
the ISBN system making marketing and distribution far more efficient.
If you are publishing a book and want to make sales to bookstores or
simply want people to be able to find your book you will need a number.
Without a number your book will not be recognized in the book databases
and this would undoubtedly hurt your sales. Every number consists of ten digits preceded by the letters ISBN.
The ten-digit number is divided into four parts, each part separated
by a hyphen.
There are four parts to a number. (Example: (ISBN) 1-22065-024-6)
The first number (1) is the group or country identifier which identifies
a national or geographic grouping of publishers.
The second number (22065) identifies a particular publisher.
The third number (024) identifies a specific title or edition of a title.
The fourth number (4) is the check digit arrived at by following a special
algorithm.
Publishers, e-book publishers, audio cassette and video producers,
software producers, museums and associations with publishing programs. Numbers are assigned by International Book Number group agencies worldwide coordinated by the
International ISBN Agency in Berlin. Numbers are assigned in the United
States by the U.S. ISBN Agency. R.R. Bowker is the independent agent in
the U.S. for this system. http://www.bowker.com/bowkerweb/
In the United States contact:
In Canada contact:
In the United Kindom contact:
The cost of a block of numbers depends on the country in which you're applying.
Generally you will receive a block of 10 numbers, but larger blocks are
available upon request. Generally allow 10 business days from the time an
application is received at the agency (not from the date sent by the
publisher.) Priority processing is available in two business days from
receipt of application. Express processing is 24 business hours.
The ISBN should be printed on the copyright page, and in the lower right
hand corner of the back cover of your book. You should use a font size
between 9 and 12 points. The number should also appear on the upper edge
of the left hand flap of a dust cover. For disks and cassettes, the
number should be printed on the label. Once assigned, a number can never
be reused.
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