Web-only editions (completed webnovels and subsequently published ebooks with ISBN)

[Tny]

Hello, I'm new here and have a question about completed webnovels and subsequently published ebooks with an ISBN.

In the Librarian Manual under "Valid book records" it says: "Serialized, web-only editions that have been subsequently published as completed works" are allowed.
However, under "Non-book items" it say books only available via a website that requires registration are not allowed, does this include regular bookseller sites? I'm assuming this only applies to exclusives that are sold on one site only but books widely sold across multiple bookseller sites (which require an account, e.g. Google Play Books) are allowed?
TIA!

[Scott]

That refers to works that require a newsletter signup to access (many authors offer a free story for signing up) or a site that requires an account to access.

If the book is openly and widely available that is okay, as long as it is complete.

[Tny]

Scott wrote: "That refers to works that require a newsletter signup to access (many authors offer a free story for signing up) or a site that requires an account to access.

If the book is openly and widely avai..."

Thanks for your reply, just for clarification: books sold on bookseller sites requiring an account to purchase the book are allowed, but if the book is an exclusive sold only on their site (no subscription, just a la carte purchase requiring an account) it is not?

[Scott]

It's hard to be definitive without specific examples, but yes, Amazon requires an account to purchase and that's fine. If it's a site like Book Funnel or one of those specialized app sites where you have to have an account to access it at all it's not.

[Tny]

Scott wrote: "It's hard to be definitive without specific examples, but yes, Amazon requires an account to purchase and that's fine. If it's a site like Book Funnel or one of those specialized app sites where yo..."

An example would be a digital-only book without physical editions sold on non-Amazon bookseller stores like Kobo or Google Play Books which also carry digital editions of traditionally published books and require an account to purchase.

The second case would be an equivalent to a Kindle Unlimited title (without the subscription aspect) such as Kobo Originals.
(On second thought, since Kobo Originals are allowed, I'm assuming the same applies to equivalents by other booksellers)

[Scott]

Those would generally be just e-books so yes. Although we cannot take the information directly from Kobo or Google sites. You could find it on your e-reader, or just get it from the publisher's page for the book.

[Tny]

Scott wrote: "Those would generally be just e-books so yes. Although we cannot take the information directly from Kobo or Google sites. You could find it on your e-reader, or just get it from the publisher's pag..."

Thanks, that cleared things up!