The International Standard Book Number (ISBN)

The International Standard Book Number (ISBN) is essential to your self-publishing endeavors if you want to market your book through major booksellers, wholesalers, libraries and distributors. The ISBN is a 13 digit identifier code attached to a literary work for identification. Prior to January 2007, it was a 10 digit number.

The ISBN is used by libraries and major retailers as a way to identify the title of a book and track the book's publishers. According to R.R. Bowker's website, "ISBN's also help consumers find books, facilitate price comparisons and find nearest locations to rent or purchase books from libraries."

ISBNs are issued by R.R. Bowker who is the exclusive U.S. ISBN Agency. Self-publishers can obtain an ISBN for their book by going to the R.R. Bowker website and purchasing one. The price is $125 for a single ISBN number. You can also purchase ISBNs in groups to obtain a discount. It is important to note that you purchase an ISBN for each edition of your book. These ISBNs never expire.

In addition, R.R. Bowker sells barcodes. You can purchase an ISBN + Barcode. Barcodes are essential if you wish to market your book through a major retailer. These retailers use barcodes to scan their inventory for processing.

ISBNs are just one step in making your literary work professional and marketable to the consumer. ISBNs used in conjunction with barcodes and copyright increase the discoverability and marketability of your work.

For more information on purchasing an ISBN, please see the R.R. Bowker website.