Listing same book in a different format

[Elaine]

I am new to the Author Program and my question is regarding listing my book in the various formats it is available. Certainly there is a way to list it in paperback, hardcover, and ebook, etc. so that readers can select the correct version in order to properly track the percentage of the book read. However, I cannot seem to figure out how to add another version of the same book. The computer does not like having two identical ISBN's in the system. How do I enter this correctly?

[Elaine]

I think I have solved my own problem. I edited the format by clicking other and added the various versions available. Is this the best way to address this issue?

[Debbie's Spurts (D.A.)]

You should not have duplicate isbn's.

By format, goodreads means the format listed, the physical format book is in.

By format if you meant file types available for download, that's not a book format. That format is "ebook" (or if instead of isbn number you have asin number format is "kindle edition).

You can post your book information here and librarians can create all the book format editions for you.

Or if you prefer to do yourself, click "other editions" on book page and add a new edition. Once created, click combine to make sure is combined with other editions of book.

It's extremely rare for "other" format to have to be used. Most books have an isbn assigned to print editions and another to digital editions so usually not an issue.

[Debbie's Spurts (D.A.)]

Very odd that same isbn used for kindle edition; usually amazon assigns asin numbers and doesn't use isbn for kindle edition (isbn only seen for kindle editions sometimes buried on copyright page details).

Book looks correct to me. With inly one isbn number for print, ebook and kindle editions - you were right to use "other" and list them that way.

[Elaine]

Thank you. I will find out if there is a separate asin number. Currently, I only have my proof copy and it does not have a asin listed with the isbn, but it will be easy enough to get the answer from the publisher. I appreciate your time. Have a great week.

[Debbie's Spurts (D.A.)]

Just checked over at publisher's site. Publisher is using isbn for paperback for the ebook direct download as well.

Publisher actually not currently offering kindle edition of your book at all. (likely why you have no asin); publisher simply directs readers to download the ebook file and then use a conversion program/software/app to convert ebook file to mobi file kindle can read.

I expect when published in June for all those formats that you will be getting a kindle asin edition, an ebook isbn and a paperback isbn to use if for sale on amazon or other bookseller sites. Can make changes at that time.

If not sold except by your publisher—kindle format needs to be removed from goodreads book description.

[Debbie's Spurts (D.A.)]

I'll create the Serpent's Tooth series for you.

[Elaine]

I think I'll strip the formats down to paperback until I have the answers. At least I know they are easy to add. Thanks again and I'll check into the Serpent's Tooth series too. :)

[C.P.]

Legally, at least in the United States, a book needs a different ISBN for each format: hard cover, paperback, e-book, audio book, etc. See the explanation at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internat....

Even Kindle and ePub versions would need different ISBNs were it not for conversion programs (that is, you upload an ePub to Kindle Direct Publishing and KDP converts it to Amazon's proprietary format; Smashwords does a version of this as well).

If your publisher doesn't know that the e-book requires a separate ISBN, I would tell them. You'd be doing them a service.

[Debbie's Spurts (D.A.)]

Thanks for the link. Knew it was wrong or at best extremely odd; suspected a legal kerflunkle or else budget-conscious authors and publishers would be working around somehow.

I don't think it's illegal to not put an isbn number on something direct sold from publisher. Bowkers FAQs at http://www.isbn.org/standards/home/ab... says

"If a publisher is selling their books on their own and are not trying to place them in stores or libraries or with wholesalers, is an ISBN required?
No, an ISBN is not required."

More than one publisher doesn't assign (just for the direct from the publisher site ebook download) any numbering to the ebook readily visible until book is downloaded and you can find in the file itself. Usually, though, doesn't display any isbn (possibly an internal sku or item number). Unless I was reading wrong, it sure looked like this publisher was re-using isbn (possibly the download...). By more than one publisher, I mean even some traditional print publishers like Baen who uses sku numbers for ebook downloads from their site (but not when ebooks sold in other venues).

I did not purchase file download to look; presumed once published out to usual big box booksellers would get straightened out.

[I never know anymore without more research what's a publisher and what's some group or individual set up d/b/a to avoid "createspace" or other unwanted brands showing as publisher.]

[Debbie's Spurts (D.A.)]

So, either alert publisher they may be doing something not legal or that they might want to remove print edition isbn from ebook download choices/pages to avoid any questions or confusion about the legality. Not uncommon for online shoppers to use wiki for information. So right or wrong, legal or illegal, consumer could question if legit based on wiki and expected usual isbn usage.

Once book sold other than direct from publisher site; publisher would have to change those site pages to reflect anyway the new format/media specific isbn numbers anyway.

[Elaine]

Thanks. I have forwarded the information to the publisher.