Ask Nicola Q&A: Do I need an ISBN number for a life story?
G’day and welcome to Forever Young Autobiographies – Ask Nicola.
As a life-story coach I get many queries about planning, creating, polishing and publishing.
And in this Q&A series my response aims to help new writers!
So this Ask Nicola edition begins with the question:
Do I need an ISBN to publish a life-story book for family and friends?
Terrific you are planning to sit down and record your memories for family, friends and future generations!
Next let me demystify ISBNs quickly and simply …
Related article – Publishing: The ultimate guide to publishing a life story
What is an ISBN number?
First let’s get one thing sorted: ISBN stands for International Standard Book Number.
This is a unique 13-digit number found on a book cover, often with a barcode.
Second, an ISBN shows who published a book.
And you need a different ISBN for each version or format of a single book.
For example, paperback, hardcover, ebook, audiobook, etc.
Most importantly, the number helps categorise and register each book and its versions worldwide.
Related article – Ask Nicola Q&A: Secrets to creating a super book back cover
When do I need an ISBN number?
An ISBN is essential if you want to sell your book.
For example, this could be via bookstores on or offline.
Also, an ISBN is used by libraries to categorise your book.
So you don’t need an ISBN if you are printing a life-story only for family and friends.
However, some printers will instead allocate your book a Stock Keeping Unit code.
But an SKU is for their reference only.
Related article – Ask Nicola Q&A: 4 tips to remember when turning a book into an ebook
How to get number registration?
Each country has a dedicated distributor that is listed on the International ISBN Agency website.
So once you know your agency distributor, you can purchase one ISBN or packs of 10, hundreds or thousands!
Certainly it is cheaper per ISBN to buy a pack.
But a one-off ISBN is about: AUS$44, US$125, £89. (Free for Canadians!)
Indeed some publishers, such as IngramSpark, offer free ISBNs.
However, this means your book won’t carry your publishing imprint, which could restrict printing and distribution options.
Related article – How to get your own book printed without stressing!
Related article – Print run: Decide how many books to print like a boss
Final say
ISBNs can be a confusing topic for new writers!
Indeed many question whether they need one or not.
In short, an ISBN is a unique identifier needed to sell a book version and must be bought in your home country.
Certainly you don’t need to stress about buying an ISBN if you are publishing for family and friends.
Instead focus your energy on finishing a great story that will captivate your audience through the years.
Happy writing!
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Your say
What type of life-story project are you working on? I always love hearing from different people. Drop me an email or leave a reply in the comments section at the end of this article.
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