{"id":20739,"date":"2022-04-11T20:28:59","date_gmt":"2022-04-11T20:28:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/kindlepreneur.com\/?p=20739"},"modified":"2022-08-16T18:17:56","modified_gmt":"2022-08-16T18:17:56","slug":"what-is-isbn","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/kindlepreneur.com\/what-is-isbn\/","title":{"rendered":"What Is An ISBN? 11 Facts For Self-Publishing Authors"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>When you get ready to produce your self-published book, you\u2019ll need something called an ISBN. This 13-digit number can be an enigma if you\u2019re not well-versed in the technical side of <a href=\"https:\/\/kindlepreneur.com\/book-publishing\/\"><strong>self-publishing<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The good news is that the ISBN system is easy to figure out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you just want to know how to get an ISBN, check out our article on <a href=\"https:\/\/kindlepreneur.com\/how-to-get-isbn\/\"><strong>How To Get an ISBN<\/strong><\/a>. And check out our <a href=\"https:\/\/kindlepreneur.com\/isbn-bar-code-generator\/\">ISBN barcode<\/a> generator for a free tool to get a custom barcode that you can use in the design of your book.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"toc\">\nIn this article, you will learn:\n<ol>\n \t<li>What an ISBN is<\/li>\n \t<li>Why identification numbers are important<\/li>\n \t<li>Which books need an ISBN<\/li>\n \t<li>What self-publishers must know about ISBNs to look legit<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-yoast-seo-table-of-contents yoast-table-of-contents\"><h2>Table of contents<\/h2><ul><li><a href=\"#h-1-the-meaning-of-isbn\" data-level=\"2\">1. The Meaning Of ISBN<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-2-who-needs-an-isbn\" data-level=\"2\">2. Who Needs An ISBN?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-3-do-different-publishing-methods-require-separate-isbns\" data-level=\"2\">3. Do Different Publishing Methods Require Separate ISBNs?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-4-can-you-recycle-an-isbn\" data-level=\"2\">4. Can You Recycle An ISBN?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-5-how-are-isbns-issued-assigned\" data-level=\"2\">5. How Are ISBNs Issued & Assigned?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-6-to-whom-are-isbns-issued\" data-level=\"2\">6. To Whom Are ISBNs Issued<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-7-disadvantages-of-publishing-without-an-isbn\" data-level=\"2\">7. Disadvantages Of Publishing Without An ISBN<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-8-how-do-i-get-an-isbn\" data-level=\"2\">8. How Do I Get An ISBN?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-9-does-my-ebook-need-an-isbn\" data-level=\"2\">9. Does My Ebook Need An ISBN?<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-10-isbns-vs-barcodes\" data-level=\"2\">10. ISBNs vs. Barcodes<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-11-the-meaning-of-an-isbn-number\" data-level=\"2\">11. The Meaning Of An ISBN Number<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#h-the-final-word\" data-level=\"2\">The Final Word<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Links in this article may earn me a small commission if you use them to purchase a service or product. This has not affected my opinion, and it\u2019s at no extra cost to you. However, it helps me continue to write these awesome articles that anyone can read for free!<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-1-the-meaning-of-isbn\">1. The Meaning Of ISBN<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>ISBN stands for International Standard Book Number. It\u2019s a numbering system that provides each published book with a unique identifier to make it easier for booksellers, libraries, and readers to find the exact version they need.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Every single digit has meaning, but we\u2019ll get into that below. (<a href=\"#h-11-the-meaning-of-an-isbn-number\">Jump to section 11.<\/a>)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Why is ISBN important?<\/strong> An ISBN is important because ISBNs help distinguish multiple <a href=\"https:\/\/kindlepreneur.com\/free-book-title-generator-tools\/\">books with the same title<\/a>, multiple versions, or various editions of the same book. For example, if you\u2019re looking for a particular version of <em>Jane Eyre<\/em>, it\u2019s much easier to find if you have the correct ISBN.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>How many digits are in the ISBN number?<\/strong> There are 13 digits in current ISBN numbers. Prior to 2007, ISBNs had 10 digits, but the ISBN agency was running out of available numbers, so they added a 3-digit EAN prefix to the beginning of each 10-digit ISBN to create a 13-digit ISBN.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s important to note that ISBNs do <em>not<\/em> assign rights to a book. <a href=\"https:\/\/kindlepreneur.com\/how-to-copyright-a-book\/\"><strong>Copyright<\/strong><\/a> is entirely separate from ISBNs and book identification.<\/p>\n\n\n\r\n<section class=\"standard-cta testimonial nohover\" id=\"cta-block_60a2b4d918236\">\r\n    <div class=\"cta-inner row\">\r\n                    <div class=\"cta-media col-md-4\">\r\n                                    <div class=\"cta-media-inner\">\r\n                    \r\n                        <a href=\"https:\/\/kindlepreneur.com\/click\/rocket-in-content\" alt=\"Get Rocket Now\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\">                        \r\n                        \r\n                        \r\n                        <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/kindlepreneur.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/05\/KDP-Rocket-Box-copy-4.png\" alt=\"KDP Rocket Box copy\" height=\"274\" width=\"250\">\r\n                        \r\n                        <\/a>                    <\/div>\r\n                            <\/div>\r\n        \r\n        <div class=\"cta-body col-md-8\" style=\"text-align:center;\">  \r\n                            <a class=\"cta-heading\" href=\"https:\/\/kindlepreneur.com\/click\/rocket-in-content\" alt=\"Get Rocket Now\">\r\n                            <h3>Best Book Marketing Software<\/h3>\r\n                            <\/a>\r\n                        \r\n            <p>Over 47,000+ authors, NYT bestsellers, and publishing companies use Publisher Rocket to gain key insight to the market.\u00a0<b>Help your book now<\/b><\/p>\n            <a class=\"offer-button\" href=\"https:\/\/kindlepreneur.com\/click\/rocket-in-content\" alt=\"Get Rocket Now\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noreferrer noopener\">Get Rocket Now<\/a>        <\/div>\r\n\r\n            <\/div>\r\n<\/section>\r\n\r\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-2-who-needs-an-isbn\">2. Who Needs An ISBN?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>All publishers creating books in print need an ISBN, including self-publishers. It\u2019s essential to have that unique number if you want booksellers and readers to find your book.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Does every book have an ISBN number?<\/strong> Every printed book has an ISBN number, but not every digital book does.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re publishing your book digitally, either as an eBook or a digital audiobook, you\u2019ll only need an ISBN if your book distributor requires it. You <em>don\u2019t<\/em> need an ISBN to publish an eBook on the following major digital distribution services:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li><a href=\"https:\/\/kindlepreneur.com\/kdp-select-or-not-is-kindle-unlimited-worth-it\/\"><strong>Amazon Kindle<\/strong><\/a><\/li><li>Barnes & Noble<\/li><li>Apple iBooks<\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.kobo.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Kobo<\/a><\/li><li>Google Play Books<\/li><li>Sony<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Do Self-published Authors Need to Buy ISBNs?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While every book must have an ISBN, the big question is whether you should get it for free from Amazon or a distributor like Draft2Digital, or if you should buy your own.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For the vast majority of self-published authors, I don't actually recommend that you get an ISBN. It will not affect the money you make online, your ability to build a loyal audience, or to make a living as an author. All it will do is drain your wallets.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That said, there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all solution for anyone. There are instances where you might want to consider buying ISBNs for your book. See this table for a breakdown:<\/p>\n\n\n<div id=\"footable_parent_27000\"\n         class=\" footable_parent ninja_table_wrapper loading_ninja_table wp_table_data_press_parent semantic_ui colored_table\">\n                <table data-ninja_table_instance=\"ninja_table_instance_0\" data-footable_id=\"27000\" data-filter-delay=\"1000\" aria-label=\"ISBNs\"            id=\"footable_27000\"\n           data-unique_identifier=\"ninja_table_unique_id_1564533777_27000\"\n           class=\" foo-table ninja_footable foo_table_27000 ninja_table_unique_id_1564533777_27000 ui table  nt_type_legacy_table selectable striped vertical_centered ninja_custom_color inverted footable-paging-right ninja_table_search_disabled ninja_table_pro\">\n                <colgroup>\n                            <col class=\"ninja_column_0 \">\n                            <col class=\"ninja_column_1 \">\n                    <\/colgroup>\n        <thead>\n<tr class=\"footable-header\">\n                                        <th scope=\"col\"  class=\"ninja_column_0 ninja_clmn_nm_you_should_purchase_an_isbn \">Reasons Why You Should NOT Purchase an ISBN<\/th><th scope=\"col\"  class=\"ninja_column_1 ninja_clmn_nm_you_should_not_buy_an_isbn \">Reasons Why You SHOULD Purchase an ISBN<\/th><\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n<tbody>\n\n        <tr data-row_id=\"2323\" class=\"ninja_table_row_0 nt_row_id_2323\">\n            <td>If you want to save money.<\/td><td>If you have an aggressive branding strategy for your name or publishing company.<\/td>        <\/tr>\n            <tr data-row_id=\"2325\" class=\"ninja_table_row_1 nt_row_id_2325\">\n            <td>If most of your business is based online.<\/td><td>If most of your business is (or plans to be) based in physical bookstores and libraries.<\/td>        <\/tr>\n    <\/tbody><!--ninja_tobody_rendering_done-->\n    <\/table>\n                    <style type=\"text\/css\" id='ninja_table_custom_css_27000'>\n                        #footable_27000  {\n    font-family: inherit;\n    font-size: 14px;\n    }\n\n\n    #footable_27000 tbody tr td span.fooicon-plus:before {\n    background-color:  !important;\n    }\n    #footable_27000 tbody tr td span.fooicon-minus:before {\n    background-color:  !important;\n    }\n\n    #footable_27000 tbody tr:hover td span.fooicon-plus:before {\n    background-color: rgba(128, 128, 128, 1) !important;\n    }\n    #footable_27000 tbody tr:hover td span.fooicon-minus:before {\n    background-color: rgba(128, 128, 128, 1) !important;\n    }\n\n    #footable_27000 thead tr.footable-header th span::before {\n    background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 1) !important;\n    }\n    #footable_27000,\n    #footable_27000 table {\n    background-color:  !important;\n    color:  !important;\n    border-color:  !important;\n    }\n    #footable_27000 thead tr.footable-filtering th {\n    background-color:  !important;\n    color:  !important;\n    }\n    #footable_27000:not(.hide_all_borders) thead tr.footable-filtering th {\n            border : 1px solid transparent !important;\n        }\n    #footable_27000 .input-group-btn:last-child > .btn:not(:last-child):not(.dropdown-toggle) {\n    background-color:  !important;\n    color:  !important;\n    }\n    #footable_27000 tr.footable-header, #footable_27000 tr.footable-header th, .colored_table #footable_27000 table.ninja_table_pro.inverted.table.footable-details tbody tr th {\n    background-color: rgba(51, 57, 75, 1) !important;\n    color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 1) !important;\n    }\n    \n        #footable_27000 tbody tr:hover {\n    background-color:  !important;\n    color: rgba(128, 128, 128, 1) !important;\n    }\n    #footable_27000 tbody tr:hover td {\n    border-color:  !important;\n    }\n    \n    #footable_27000 tfoot .footable-paging {\n    background-color:  !important;\n    }\n    #footable_27000 tfoot .footable-paging .footable-page.active a {\n    background-color:  !important;\n    }\n    #footable_27000:not(.hide_all_borders) tfoot tr.footable-paging td {\n    border-color:  !important;\n    }\n    \n                <\/style>\n                \n    \n    \n<\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<p>The big sticking point for a lot of authors is this: not having your name or your publishing company's name listed as the publisher. But honestly, this means little. It doesn't mean Amazon has a legal right to your content. You still own the copyright. It does not mean you'll earn more or less royalties. All it means is that their name will be there instead of yours. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It's absolutely okay if you want to have your name there, but understand that it gives you no benefit. It's almost entirely a point of pride, nothing more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With ONE exception.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>There is some evidence to make us believe that libraries and bookstores are less likely to order your book if it carries Amazon's name on it. So in that case, it could be beneficial to buy your own ISBN so you can have your own name there instead. However, since most bookstores and libraries rarely stock physical versions of your books anyway, this is less of an issue than it might seem.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-3-do-different-publishing-methods-require-separate-isbns\">3. Do Different Publishing Methods Require Separate ISBNs?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You need a separate ISBN for <em>each format<\/em> you publish in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, if you print your book as a paperback and hardcover, you\u2019ll need a different ISBN for each.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you choose to publish a second edition of a book, you will need a new ISBN for each version of that book you create as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Digital books (eBooks and digital audiobooks) don\u2019t require an ISBN, but you may want to get one anyway. An ISBN for your eBook version can make it easier for readers to find your book, but it\u2019s not necessary.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-4-can-you-recycle-an-isbn\">4. Can You Recycle An ISBN?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>You can\u2019t recycle or reuse an old ISBN. The bibliographic information for an ISBN can\u2019t be updated and switched over to a new book.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you need an ISBN for a new edition or new book, you\u2019ll need to get a brand new ISBN.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-5-how-are-isbns-issued-assigned\">5. How Are ISBNs Issued & Assigned?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>ISBNs are assigned by each country\u2019s ISBN agency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>R.R. Bowker is the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.myidentifiers.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">U.S. ISBN agency<\/a> \u2014 and in Australia, too. In the U.K. and Ireland, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nielsenisbnstore.com\/Home\/Isbn\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Nielsen<\/a> distributes ISBNs. These local agencies collect information about their country\u2019s books and submit it to the International ISBN Agency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-6-to-whom-are-isbns-issued\">6. To Whom Are ISBNs Issued<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>ISBNs are issued to publishers. But if you\u2019re self-publishing, ISBNs you purchase can be issued to <em>you<\/em>. If you\u2019re registering a new ISBN, you can list your name as the publisher if you don\u2019t have your <a href=\"https:\/\/kindlepreneur.com\/how-to-start-a-publishing-company\/\"><strong>own publishing company<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The free ISBN you can get from print-on-demand services like Amazon\u2019s KDP or BookBaby will list that service or \u201cindependently published\u201d as the publisher, not you directly. This screams, \u201cI\u2019m self-published!\u201d so it\u2019s best to purchase your own ISBN directly if you have the budget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Is there an ISBN for magazines?<\/strong> There is an ISBN for magazines, called an ISSN, or International Standard Serial Number. ISBNs should not be used with magazines or any other serialized content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-7-disadvantages-of-publishing-without-an-isbn\">7. Disadvantages Of Publishing Without An ISBN<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There are a few disadvantages of publishing a digital book without an ISBN, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul><li>It can be more difficult to track eBook sales across platforms without an ISBN.<\/li><li>Your book won\u2019t be available to readers who prefer print books.<\/li><li>Your book won\u2019t be included in the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.booksinprint.com\/Login\/Index\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Books in Print database<\/a>.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>For most self-publishers, it\u2019s not a big deal to publish an eBook without an ISBN. However, some with very particular needs might want to purchase an ISBN.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-8-how-do-i-get-an-isbn\">8. How Do I Get An ISBN?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To get a unique ISBN for your book, head to your country\u2019s ISBN agency. Some countries provide ISBNs to publishers for free, and other agencies charge a fee for ISBNs. You can purchase a single ISBN <em>or<\/em> buy a bundle of ISBNs at a discounted price.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unfortunately, if you live in the U.S., you\u2019ll have to pay for your ISBNs, unless you get a free ISBN through a <a href=\"https:\/\/kindlepreneur.com\/best-self-publishing-companies\/\"><strong>print-on-demand<\/strong><\/a> service. (Reminder: You won\u2019t be officially listed as the book\u2019s publisher if you go this route.) Print-on-demand services sometimes offer discounted ISBNs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);color:#f7782d\" class=\"has-inline-color\">Video:<\/mark> How to Get an ISBN<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>I've also got a video on this subject that will walk you through the process to get ISBNs for yourself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<center><iframe loading=\"lazy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/p2I4EyTvyWo\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe><\/center>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong><em>Want more videos like this? Be sure to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/c\/kindlepreneur\/?sub_confirmation=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">subscribe to my YouTube channel<\/a> for weekly videos!<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-9-does-my-ebook-need-an-isbn\">9. Does My Ebook Need An ISBN?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Depending on where you publish or distribute your eBook, it may or may not need its own ISBN.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most of the major eBook distributors do <em>not<\/em> require ISBNs for eBooks. These distributors will usually have a place to add an ISBN if you want one, but it\u2019s not needed to publish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re concerned that your eBook might need an ISBN, check with the service(s) you\u2019ll be using to distribute your book. Most likely, they won\u2019t require one, but it never hurts to check.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-10-isbns-vs-barcodes\">10. ISBNs vs. Barcodes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Book barcodes typically contain the same information as an ISBN, but they are not actually ISBNs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Barcodes are what retailers use to scan books into their computer systems to sell them. ISBNs don\u2019t require a barcode.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Barcodes are found on the book\u2019s back cover, whereas ISBNs are typically located on the copyright page. If you\u2019re formatting your own book, be sure to <a href=\"https:\/\/kindlepreneur.com\/book-copyright-page-examples-ebook\/\"><strong>follow best practices<\/strong><\/a> for creating a copyright page and include your book\u2019s 13-digit ISBN.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-11-the-meaning-of-an-isbn-number\">11. The Meaning Of An ISBN Number<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What does the ISBN number tell you?<\/strong> The ISBN number tells you where a book was published, who published it, its title, format, and other basic information about the book.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A full ISBN contains 5 sections, all separated by hyphens. Those sections are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol><li>The EAN, currently either 978 or 979<\/li><li>The registration group, which tells you where the book was published (country or region)<\/li><li>The registrant element, which tells you who published the book<\/li><li>The publication element, which correlates to the book <a href=\"https:\/\/kindlepreneur.com\/how-to-title-a-book-with-good-book-titles\/\"><strong>titles<\/strong><\/a>, format, edition, author (with <a href=\"https:\/\/kindlepreneur.com\/amazon-author-central-page\/\"><strong>author biography<\/strong><\/a>), <a href=\"https:\/\/kindlepreneur.com\/international-book-categories\/\"><strong>category<\/strong><\/a>, and <a href=\"https:\/\/kindlepreneur.com\/how-to-write-a-synopsis\/\"><strong>synopsis<\/strong><\/a> of the book<\/li><li>The check digit, the mathematically-calculated last digit that ensures the ISBN was typed out properly<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-the-final-word\">The Final Word<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>ISBNs can seem confusing at first, but they\u2019re pretty straightforward. Get one ISBN for each print version you offer, and only if you buy one for your eBook if you really want it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s a good idea to buy your own, if you can, and skip the free ISBNs handed out by print-on-demand services.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re ready to self-publish your book, along with an ISBN, you\u2019re also going to need to format your book. I love and recommend <a href=\"https:\/\/kindlepreneur.com\/click\/ebooklaunchformatting\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow\"><strong>Ebook Launch<\/strong><\/a> for formatting, but <a href=\"https:\/\/kindlepreneur.com\/click\/vellum\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow\"><strong>Vellum<\/strong><\/a> and <a href=\"http:\/\/kindlepreneur.com\/click\/atticus\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow\"><strong>Atticus<\/strong><\/a> are great options if you\u2019d prefer DIY formatting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ll also need a killer book cover to help your book sell well. Sci-fi and fantasy authors can\u2019t beat <a href=\"https:\/\/kindlepreneur.com\/click\/jbgraphics\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow\"><strong>Jeff Brown Graphics<\/strong><\/a>. Authors in other genres should check out <a href=\"https:\/\/kindlepreneur.com\/click\/damonza\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow\"><strong>Damonza<\/strong><\/a>. If you\u2019re on a budget, try finding a cover designer on <a href=\"https:\/\/kindlepreneur.com\/click\/Fiverr\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow\"><strong>Fiverr<\/strong><\/a>, or learn <a href=\"https:\/\/kindlepreneur.com\/click\/DIYbookcovers\/\" rel=\"sponsored nofollow\"><strong>how to DIY<\/strong><\/a> your book cover.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you have a formatted interior, a great cover, and your ISBN, it\u2019s time to publish and get your book into your readers\u2019 hands. In that case, check out these <a href=\"https:\/\/kindlepreneur.com\/how-to-sell-books-amazon\/\"><strong>70+ Book Marketing Tips<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>ISBN stands for \u201cInternational Standard Book Number\u201d and you may need one of these 13-digit numbers for your book, even if you\u2019re self-publishing a print book.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24,"featured_media":21313,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3887],"tags":[3870],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v22.9 (Yoast SEO v22.9) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>What Is An ISBN? 11 Facts For Self-Publishing Authors<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"ISBN stands for \u201cInternational Standard Book Number\u201d and you may need one of these 13-digit numbers for your book, even if you\u2019re self-publishing a print book.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/kindlepreneur.com\/what-is-isbn\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"What Is An ISBN? 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