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How to obtain an ISBN number?

by Stephen Saha
6 replies
Hi,

Any idea how you obtain an ISBN number for your physical book?

A client of mine whose book cover I'm designing wants to put the ISBN number at the back of the cover. I have no clue about it.

Is there anyone who have used an ISBN no for any of their book?

Regards,

Stephen
#isbn #number #obtain
  • Profile picture of the author Dan C. Rinnert
    Does your client not already have an ISBN? If not, he/she would need to purchase one:

    How to Get an ISBN
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    Dan's content is irregularly read by handfuls of people. Join the elite few by reading his blog: dcrBlogs.com, following him on Twitter: dcrTweets.com or reading his fiction: dcrWrites.com but NOT by Clicking Here!

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  • Profile picture of the author affenpinscher
    R.R. Bowker is the U.S. ISBN Agency in the United States and sells them for
    10 ISBNs: $275.00
    100 ISBNs: $995.00
    1000 ISBNs: $1,750.00

    US ISBN Agency - ISBN Assignments, SAN, Bookland EAN Bar Code Symbols, Technical Information and Advice

    If your client doesn't care about having its own ISBN and just wants one so the publication
    can be listed in amazon.com, libraries, etc, many printers will assign one
    but it will be listed in the Bowker database as belonging to the printer. Look at
    CreateSpace.com at https://www.createspace.com/Products/Book/
    which is owned by amazon.com as an example.
    Signature

    In Dog Beers
    http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=w_bl_sl_...xtbin=DaisyDog

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  • Profile picture of the author iw433
    Go to Amazon dot com and sigh up for their free book publishing account. I think the URL for that is: https://www.createspace.com When you publish a book with them you get a ISBN
    Signature

    Bill Skywalker Edwards
    Address-O-Lite

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  • Profile picture of the author testaccount9998
    Well you have a couple of choices:

    Does your client already have a publisher for the book?

    If so, they should provide the ISBN.

    Is your client self publishing?

    If so you have two options:

    1. Use a POD service like Lulu or Createspace, who will provide you with an ISBN.

    2. Buy your own ISBN straight from the ISBN agency. The only problem with this route is, if you do that you can only buy ISBN's in blocks of 10. Which will run you about $250 dollars.



    On a side note, I find it somewhat strange that someone who is writing a book, and paying someone (you) to design the cover, is asking how to get the ISBN for their book. Doesn't sound like your client has planned or researched very much for their book.

    Good Luck with the project,

    Rebtl
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  • Profile picture of the author Stephen Saha
    Thanks for the info.

    This is the first time my client is launching a physical book.
    So he is not quite familiar with the ISBN procedure.
    He is using a fulfillment company, I'm not sure if its Lulu.com

    Stephen
    Signature
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    • Profile picture of the author Dan C. Rinnert
      Originally Posted by Stephen Saha View Post

      He is using a fulfillment company, I'm not sure if its Lulu.com
      If he's using Lulu.com, he can get an ISBN from them.
      Signature

      Dan's content is irregularly read by handfuls of people. Join the elite few by reading his blog: dcrBlogs.com, following him on Twitter: dcrTweets.com or reading his fiction: dcrWrites.com but NOT by Clicking Here!

      Dan also writes content for hire, but you can't afford him anyway.
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