How to Get an ISBN in 10 Minutes (or Less!) the Master Guide for 2019

How to Get an ISBN in 10 Minutes (or Less!) the Master Guide for 2019 ISBN for Self-Publishers: The Complete Guide When it comes to discussions around books and publishing, we all know the most exciting topic at the table: how to get an ISBN.We know not everyone is thrilled by the idea of obtaining a serial number but, just like editing and design, they're a  pretty critical part of self-publishing. Luckily, we’re here to answer all of your questions on the subject. How to get an ISBN: the complete guide for self-publishers #pubtips What is an ISBN number?An International Standard Book Number, or ISBN, is a 13-digit code used as a unique identifier for books. An ISBN is assigned to each edition of a publication, enabling publishers, bookstores, libraries, and readers to quickly find titles.An ISBN number never expires. Even very old numbers with only 10 digits can be converted into a 13-digit code with this conversion tool from Bowker.How to read an ISBNAll standard ISBNs comprise of five parts that tell us the following:The number 978 or 979 indicates that the digits are a book codeThe country or language group of the publicationThe publisherThe title of the publicationThe check digit - which, in a non-technical nutshell, indicates that the number has been verifiedAs they are used by retailers for inventory reasons, only authors who are planning to print and distribute hard copies of their titles need to obtain a barcode.Is it the same as an ASIN number?It's similar, but not the exact same. ASIN number are 10- digit codes generated by Amazon to identify the products on their page - so it's similar to an ISBN in that respect. However, while ISBNs can be used across various bookstores, ASINs on apply on the Amazon store.Additional ISBN resourcesFor more information regarding the topics covered, here are some links to check out:International ISBN AgencyFrequently Asked Questions (answered by Bowker)Bowker’s Set-Up GuideNielsen InformationThere’s no wrong or right answer provided that you think ahead. If you have a lightbulb moment one day and decide to write and publish a book as a passion project, you can probably eschew this whole process and rest easy. If you’re looking to start your own publishing business, then carefully weigh your options. Investing in an ISBN might be the smart bet or an unnecessary one, depending on your goals.