Do i need an ISBN for my ebook?

[[deleted user]]

Hello,
I'm in the process of writing a book and i was thinking of publishing it through Amazon, Pubit or any other websites that have that kind of service.
what is not clear is whether i need an ISBN for my book to be published there.
i'm sorry is this question was asked and answered before, but i couldn't find any topics related to this subject.

thanks :)

[[deleted user]]

I'm glad you asked this question as I too am interested in what has to be said on this topic. I know that through CreateSpace, if you don't have an ISBN of your own, they will provide one for you, free of charge, or so it says on the project set up page, but I don't remember if they said one was a requirement for digital publishing, although, when I went through the process for my book (proof copies) it wouldn't let me continue until I entered an ISBN. That would tell me (logically) that you do need one.

Now, maybe digital copies as opposed to print copies also makes a difference. My proof copies were printed. Maybe if you're only doing digital you don't need one. BUT, why only do digital, right? You might want printed copies for book fairs, give aways and the like.

I have heard that you don't need one, but I've also heard the opposite.

In the United States, you have to purchase your ISBN, but in Canada, where I live, you get them for free (I'm not sure where you live).

I suppose if you don't have to pay for them, then it's not a big deal to put one on your book, but if you do then that might be an issue.
BUT, if the self-pub you're going with offers one for free, then why not get one?
NOW, one more thought, if they give you one for free, then I don't know how that works as far as possession of the work goes or the ability to go to some other self-pub (another question someone else might be able to answer).

For me, since they are free, I'll just slap one on everything I publish. And, then the book is also registered with the Canadian National Library which is nice.

This might not have answered your question and I may have rambled a bit but these are just my thoughts :).

[[deleted user]]

:)
I'm from Romania and as i read on the Romanian National Library web site it says that i can get up to 2 ISBN codes per year, for free. i have to dig deeper and see if it applies to my case.
Also, i read on the international isbn agency this codes have nothing to do with the copyright law.
i wanted a short answer to a fairly large subject.

As you said, if it's free then why not have one? but, i want to make sure i need one because i intend on writing a trilogy and if i only get 2 ISBN's / year that might be a problem.

anyway, thanks for entering the discussion. i'll post some more as i'll get answers.

[[deleted user]]

In Canada, the ISBN are unlimited but, yeah, if you only get two, you want to be sure.

I look forward to reading any other posts you write. :)

[Justin]

Most publishing companies do offer free isbn numbers but they also ask if you wish to create your own. Sometimes there are fees to acquiring one but mainly they are issued to you.

[[deleted user]]

Justin, I was wondering, if you get an ISBN from CreateSpace, for example, but then want to go to Smashwords, does them issuing you an ISBN interfer with you wanting to go somewhere else?

[Derek]

Pam (E.P. Scott) wrote: "Justin, I was wondering, if you get an ISBN from CreateSpace, for example, but then want to go to Smashwords, does them issuing you an ISBN interfer with you wanting to go somewhere else?"

The first two groupings of an ISBN consists of a Publisher identifier (with the first group being a geographic code) so CreateSpace is presumably giving out codes with their publisher code. Other publishers would insist on having their own codes — but I don't think SmashWords considers itself a publisher (more like a distributor). So, the answer would be "maybe"!

[[deleted user]]

Derek wrote: "Pam (E.P. Scott) wrote: "Justin, I was wondering, if you get an ISBN from CreateSpace, for example, but then want to go to Smashwords, does them issuing you an ISBN interfer with you wanting to go ..."

Thanks Derek :). It makes sense, the way you explain it, that there 'might' be an issue.

[Justin]

I'm not sure. I know some companies dont care cause as long as you have an isbn thats your #, if you leave a company for another in most cases the isbn number carries over unless the company wishes you to change it.

[Judith]

I was told that if you go through Amazon, they provide an ASIN number for you, but it only works for Amazon. If you want to be on other sites and keep the same number for your book at all sites, you need an ISBN.