Don't Dress Your E-Book for the Wrong Party: A Guide to ISBNs for Wide Distribution

Free, Purchase, what?

Ever feel like your ebook is rocking a fabulous outfit, but it's completely out of place? That's exactly how I felt when I realized I'd used my purchased ISBN for the Kindle version of my book. Now, before you panic, fellow author authors, this isn't a publishing disaster! But it is a hilarious learning experience (and hopefully, a valuable one for you too).

The ISBN Imbroglio: A Case of Mistaken Identity

Picture this: overflowing with pride, I'm ready to unleash my masterpiece onto the world via Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP). Did I get my ISBN from the official retailer, Bowker? Check. Format selection? Big whoops! Fueled by excitement (and maybe a smidge too much coffee), I decided to select "Kindle" as the format for my purchased ISBN.

The Reality Bites: Limited Reach with a Fancy ISBN

Fast forward a bit (maybe an hour), and the dream of multi-platform domination dawns on me. Turns out, my swanky purchased ISBN, envisioned as a versatile all-occasion outfit for my ebook, is more like a custom-tailored Kindle tuxedo. It looks fantastic on Amazon, but it won't get me through the door at other ebook stores.

The (Relatively Painless) Fix

Disclaimer: While I've consulted reliable resources like Bowker's FAQs, this information is based on my experience, I'm not a lawyer. For official legal advice on ISBNs and self-publishing, consult a qualified professional.

But fear not, fellow wordsmiths! Here's the lowdown on ISBNs for all of us brilliant (and hopefully well-caffeinated) authors:

 

• Free KDP ISBN: This handy number is perfect for your Kindle book, but it only works on Amazon.
• Purchased ISBN: This, my friends, is your universal translator, the key to unlocking the doors of various ebook retailers.
• Reusing an ISBN: You can absolutely reuse a purchased ISBN for different versions of your e-book, as long as the content remains largely unchanged. Think minor edits, not a complete rewrite. (or as Bowker put it - will anyone feel duped?)

The Plot Twist:  You Don't Have to Pick a Format (and You Can Change It!)

And, after hours of researching with my puny little brain (You're welcome!) I find out...

You actually don't have to select a format, or stick to it!

IKR?!! You can leave the format selection box blank and your ISBN will cover all of your e-books. While selecting a format is optional, it might help with distributing your book by adding one more detail that retailers can search by. BUT, you are not limited to that chosen format. So if you want to offer a PDF on your website and an EPUB on other stores, you can absolutely do that!

The Takeaway: Laughs, Lessons, and Launching Onward!

Don't let ISBN woes derail your publishing journey! Do your research, understand the options (like long-tail keywords: mistakes with ISBNs for Kindle ebooks), and avoid giving your ebook an identity crisis. And hey, if you do stumble a bit (like yours truly), there's always humor to be found (and a chance to learn from our mistakes).

Now, let's get back to crafting those bestsellers! But this time, we'll dress our ebooks for all occasions, without breaking the bank.  

Curious about my writing journey, check out my new book, Talk It Out, Work It Out! A Safety and Self-Advocacy Workbook for Ages 8+.  Now available on various platforms with a properly formatted ISBN!  😉

P.S. Have any questions about ISBNs, self-publishing or Speech Pathology? Leave a comment below, and let's chat!

Happy Publishing!

Christine Tellach

Tired Woman Image by Vilius Kukanauskas from Pixabay 

Barcode Puzzle Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay