Getting your ISBN

ISBN stands for International Standard Book Number, and is a unique identifier for each edition and binding of a book or title. If your book will be sold in any retail fashion, it will need an ISBN. If you will publish a softcover, hardcover, and ebook, you will need three separate ISBNs, assigning a different one to each binding. Bar codes use the ISBN, but are different products. After purchasing, you’re required to assign a number to each version of your book. This is usually done much later in the production process, as you’ll need to have set a release date, know the final page count, and have set the book’s retail price. Tami will share screens and walk you through assigning these.

In the United States, get your number(s) at Bowker.com (which is also called My Identifiers). In Canada, get your number(s) through Library and Archives Canada.

If you’re working with TLC for your book cover, there’s no need to buy bar codes, as we will provide them for you.

Registering your copyright

The copyright.gov website offers information and forms to register your book’s copyright. Note that the minute you write even part of your book on paper or on an electronic device, you own the copyright. Registering simply reinforces that right.

Getting your LCCN

Library of Congress Control Numbers are necessary if you want your book to be available in libraries. Self-publishers sign up here to open a free account and apply for your number prior to publishing your book. The number belongs on the book’s copyright page. Note that your ISBNs will have to be officially assigned (not just purchased) before you get your LCCN.

Official BISAC shelving categories

The shelving category appears on your book’s back cover and is helpful to readers and booksellers, letting them know the primary genre of your book. It’s not required, but a nice detail to include. The official list can be found here. You’ll want to go deeper than the main category. (These are somewhat different than Amazon’s categories.)

IBPA (Independent Book Publishers Association)

National publishing organization; great monthly magazine-style print newsletter, annual conference (Publishing University), Benjamin Franklin awards, webinars, industry discounts, and more. Fantastic organization if you’re going to publish and market books. Check them out!

CIPA (Christian Indie Publishing Association)

National Christian organization offering annual book awards, workshops, a listing of publishers accepting manuscripts, many resources, a monthly newsletter, networking, and industry discounts. Visit their site!

APSS (Association of Publishers for Special Sales)

National organization focused on helping authors and publishers sell books in large quantities to various organizations; Be sure to scroll down the home page and sign up for the free newsletter. They offer frequent free webinars!

Book Selling University

FREE, online, à la carte classes on book creation, marketing, sales, distribution, and more by experienced and respected publishing professionals.