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The free option is fine. To get distribution to the brick and mortar stores, you might eventually need to get an ISBN#. But then you have another version for that anyway. Amazon does not really do that kind of distribution.
Lauryn wrote: "I'm planning to publish my novel through Amazon's Kindle and Createspace. I noticed there are a few options on Createspace when it comes to the ISBN number.Free - they assign you a number, a $10 ..."
I really battled with this one for a little while. I ended up buying my own just because I didn't want to set myself up to regret it later. The thing that almost had me go with either the free or $10 option was that if I were to print it another way, I would probably use a different format.
But, I went with my own because I never know what might happen. If CreateSpace started having issues fulfilling or something, I didn't want to be tied to them as the only way I can print that particular binding.
Hi Lauren,My suggestion is to own your ISBNs, as it documents you as "creator of record" or something like that. And as far as gaining distribution with a company like Ingram, you'd need your own ISBN for that. I believe Createspace partners with Ingram to some extent, in that a customer could enter a brick and mortar store and request they order your novel for you, but I'm unsure how common it is that self-published novels through Createspace are super noticeable on the Ingram distribution lists. Bottom line is, it's another thing you can OWN as creator of your book which, once it's published, is a product that needs to be treated like one. Buying the bundle of 10 ISBNs was the route I chose, and I ended up using more than I needed, not really noticing that Kindle and Nook don't require ISBNs. So, unless things change, an ISBN for your physical copy and an ISBN for something like Smashwords or BookTango--which distributes your ebook to all major ereader formats--is plenty. So you can buy ten ISBNs and produce 5 books in both formats. Long answer, I know. Hope it helps. Enjoy the marketing process, but don't let it smother your time to write. It's what got you here asking these questions, right? Congrats, and good luck!
The new bottom-line is that you will probably publish your book is several sizes and formats. Using Createspace's free choice does not limit you at all when it comes to making other versions available. I commonly release books in five or six versions using Createspace's and Lulu's free option when possible.I just don't have the money to squander on ISBN's.
Damon wrote: "Hi Lauren,My suggestion is to own your ISBNs, as it documents you as "creator of record" or something like that. And as far as gaining distribution with a company like Ingram, you'd need your own ..."
I like the idea of buying a bundle of ISBN numbers, how did you do that?
Hi Lauryn,You'll want to have a publisher name and address first, then head over to myidentifiers.com and set up your account with Bowker. You'll be able to buy your ISBNs right there at the same time. You are unlikely to need any of the other things Bowker will try to sell you while you're there. Hope that helps.
I think they want a business bank account too, but I don't know how closely they check on that.
Lauryn:There are pros and cons to accepting a free ISBN from CreateSpace. I wrote a six-part blog series on the ISBN system which puts your question in a larger context and also provides insight into those pros and cons -- including what I call "the hidden cost of free ISBNs."
The series starts at http://mademers.com/globalindieauthor... and was published sequentially so it's easy to follow.
I bought my own. It costs about $250 for ten of them, and even less if you buy a larger number.
I used the Amazon ISBN for a non-fiction but as I move toward fiction and wanting to take writing more seriously, I bought 10 ISBN's for $250 (one is $125 so you if you can get the $250 its worth it for 10). I splurged because I've read that using the ISBNs that Amazon (or Smashwords, etc) gives looks less profession as they are listed as the publisher. I created my own publishing name/business so it looks like a traditional publisher. The thing about ISBNs is that each version or your book needs it own ISBN. So if you publish you book in print and electronic that's two ISBNs. If you do audio, that would be a third. So having 10 helps if you plan to publish in many formats.
Free - they assign you a number, a $10 option, and a $100 universal ISBN number.
I wondering what are the downfalls to the free option? Should I spend the extra money on an ISBN number or is that unnecessary?