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Do you use your own ISBN for Kdp kindle?
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You would need to research the implications of one way versus the other, and then decide whether or not those factors matter to you.For example, assigning your own ISBN, you are listed as the publisher rather than Amazon. Does that matter? That's for you to decide.
Another example, I printed and distributed paperbacks through CreateSpace and assigned my own ISBNs. At some point while looking into the distribution options I found that CreateSpace wouldn't distribute to libraries unless they assigned the ISBN. Don't know if that still applies now CS has been absorbed into Amazon, but the same question applied - does that matter to you?
Then there's the question of cost. I'm lucky that ISBNs are free here in Canada, so there's no cost to using my own and I choose to do so. If you're in the States, cost is a major factor.
I'm still debating spending the few hundred dollars (or more) for my own ISBNs for both paperback & ebook. I read an article that listed the ups and downs of using your own ISBNs, which causes me further hesitation. It did mention that a few retailers preferred using their own ISBNs and ignore the publishers/authors. I'm still debating and really hate to part with so much $$, yet another author here said it was well worth the cost.
Wanjiru wrote: "For my last 3 books with Kdp, I supplied my ISBNs for the print version but let them assign me the ASINs for the ebooks? I'm about to release a small book of short stories, and I'm wondering wheth..."
If you have no plans of selling it elsewhere, that's good.
As to buying the ISBNs for your books, if you can save up enough to get 100 you save a lot of money on them. Unless you are not planning on going outside of Amazon, you will need them. Libraries DO NOT get anything from Amazon. They have no contract with the companies that supply books to Libraries and schools...both are lucrative places to have books.
The other thing, if you want to sell books at B&N or Kobo or google play or ibooks you will need that ISBN. Amazon isn't the only player in town. Yes, they are big, but we, as authors, we need to put our books out there everywhere. I've sold books in Japan and India and England through other retailers. Also, you, as an indie author, need to keep control of your books and you can't do that if you only have an ASIN or number from another vender. That ISBN that is in your name gives you total control over your book(s)
B.A. you are right. I sold myself short from the beginning when I bought 10 ISBNs instead of 100. I was thinking of buying another bunch of 10.I suppose I was thinking it doesn't matter if I use ASIN # with Kdp (for the Kindle only)
because no one else except their customers will order the book from them.
Gail wrote: "I'm still debating spending the few hundred dollars (or more) for my own ISBNs for both paperback & ebook. I read an article that listed the ups and downs of using your own ISBNs, which causes me f..."It's only hundreds of dollars if you buy one ISBN # at a time. Otherwise, it's $29.50 each at Bowker (USA) if you buy in bunches of 10. And for a prolific writer, it's even cheaper if you buy in larger bunches.
I agree E.D., and I saw that - just put a couple of books on draft2digital. At Bowker, it costs $575 for 100; $29.50 for 10 OR $295...to me that is hundreds of dollars that I hate to spend. And then, there are the barcodes that you need (according to them) at $25/pop. I'm popped out.
First of all, only buy the ISBNs from Bowker. Barcodes you can do for free. There are a lot of sites where you can do them, so never pay for them. Ingram will do the barcode for you on all your print books if you go through them as will Draft2Digital. Lydon and DE....no links allowed. You can reference those places but no links to them.
I published my first two novels through Createspace which no longer exists and is now part of KDP. I opted to take their ISBNs. I want to buy a set of ISBNs, one for my third book which is nearing completion and for the one after that. Does anyone know what I would need to do to allocate my own ISBNs for my first two novels? Any advice would be greatly appeciated.
I use my own ISBNs. If you had Amazon's numbers, Pull the book then republish using your own ISBNs. Make sure you have a spreadsheet so you keep the numbers straight. You also need to have it on our copyright pages,BTW, a copyright is very easy to get. You can fill out the form on line and it takes about six weeks to get it and it is $50 if I remember correctly for each book. You can also copyright pictures and music on line. They will send you the certificate. With the way the law changed recently, you might want to consider doing that for your books.
Cathy, you can get your own 'set' of ISBNs at Bowker...no links here so google that. I know having your own ISBN, barcode and copyright is a smart and good way to go...but honestly, I have multiple books and just cannot afford the cost even tho barcodes are free if you look around...see previous posts here. If only self-publishers were wealthy enough to afford all necessary costs for this and promotions:(
I'm about to release a small book of short stories, and I'm wondering whether I should do the same or supply my own ISBNs for both versions.
Your input appreciated.