World, Writing, Wealth discussion
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Does the ISBN matter?
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Eldon wrote: "I read a blog this morning that raised an interesting point. Essentially it indicated that if you're using an Amazon issued ISBN that bricks and mortar bookstores will discriminate against your boo..."Can't remember the reasoning already, but we'd compared free and purchased ISBNs at the time and opted for purchasing 10 over the free ones...
Nik wrote: "Eldon wrote: "I read a blog this morning that raised an interesting point. Essentially it indicated that if you're using an Amazon issued ISBN that bricks and mortar bookstores will discriminate ag..."You have to buy 10 for one book???
No, we bought a block, because it seemed a better deal, but you do ascribe different ISBN to different formats, ebook, paper. I think we used three ISBNs for different editions of the same book..
Nik wrote: "No, we bought a block, because it seemed a better deal, but you do ascribe different ISBN to different formats, ebook, paper. I think we used three ISBNs for different editions of the same book.."Well, good to know :D
Relevant is the fact that ISBN's are a total racket in the US and UK. Most other countries give em away for free, or they cost a pittance compared to the US. It's a little mind-boggling that this is even an issue.
Hey Eldon, you're in Canada so you should be getting your ISBNs for free :DYes they are a total racket. You need distinct ISBNs for many reasons. For example, if you had one book, you could potentially need a unique ISBN for each of these:
mobi
epub
Smash epub
paperback
hardback
2nd edition
3rd edition
So 7 ISBNs could easily be used for the same book. If you publish through Lightning Source, you can get more royalties on non-Amazon sales than you would with expanded distribution by Amazon. This is one reason for getting your own ISBNs. Also you can assign a different name to the publisher than "Createspace", which has potential to make a book look more professionally published.
Hey Marie, you made my day!! Free huh? Another reason for me to love Canada :)I like the thought of using a different publisher name too...wonder if that would mean a business license and sales tax returns though?
Not sure how it works in Canada, but in the US we can file an ASN (assumed business name), so no license required, then file as sole proprietor on taxes. It isn't much different than filing as an independent contractor.
ISBNs are not that expensive, I allocated 3 for ASA. paperback, epub and Kindle.I added one for Kindle to future proof the book in case the rules change.
Marie is right. Your own ISBNs are the pathway to retaining control of your own work.
So do you need to have the book finished to get the ISBN? Can you do it ahead of time?
Eldon wrote: "So do you need to have the book finished to get the ISBN? Can you do it ahead of time?"Not at all. You can buy and sit on them as long as you want. They are just identifiers and they start to identify as soon as you assign them to a specific book.. I think I still have a couple from the original batch. As far as I remember, Denise or someone else bought a hundred even...
I bought 10 originally and then kicked myself for not getting the batch of 100 (comes at a drastic discount compared to a batch of 10). I got the batch of 100 later on. Just glad I didn't buy 1 thinking it was all I needed :).
I got 100 as well, and I haven't even finished writing the book yet. But it means I don't have to run around organising them when I finally need some.
Kat wrote: "I got 100 as well, and I haven't even finished writing the book yet. But it means I don't have to run around organising them when I finally need some."How is it going though: seeing the light at the end of the tunnel?
Great to know this information. Thanks everyone!!
Nik wrote: "How is it going though: seeing the light at the end of the tunnel?"Hah, thanks for asking! No, not yet. I got a second job for much needed extra cash, and signed up for evening classes to gain a better qualification on top of that.
I don't only have zero writing time left at the moment, I dare say my writing time is in the negative digits, if that's possible!
But I'll get there one day. In the meantime I might publish some little booklets by friends who want to see their poems on Amazon, even if it won't make me any money. After all, I guess I have a few ISBN's going spare.
Yeah, a busy schedule, Kat. Hope you'll use all those ISBNs primarily on your stuff somedayAnd our after-hours drinking and mingling sessions are still open -:)
Yes! I need to have a few drinks with you guys soon!
Welcome! The weekend is looming and the pre-weekend is imminent-:)
The author also intimated that using the free Amazon ISBN marks your book as self-published (another area most booksellers want to avoid). Has anyone who sells outside of Amazon found this if using an Amazon ISBN? Is it worth paying for a non-Amazon affiliated ISBN?