Get an ISBN

Of all the steps in publishing your own book, I think obtaining the ISBN number and getting your barcode are the most fun. Once you have the ISBN number and your barcode, you are "official"! Without the ISBN you won't be able to sell your book in stores nor get it listed in the Library of Congress, so it's a very important step in the publishing process.

If you plan to sell your book on your own only -- never making it available in any stores, placing it with distributors, or giving it to libraries -- then you don't need to do this step. Since it's not that expensive to do, however, it seems like a good idea to go ahead and do it so just in case you decide later to make your book available through other means than simply selling it on your own, your book will already be ready.

The cost for your ISBN will vary slightly depending on how soon you need it. Normal two-week processing costs only $125 for a single ISBN number, with second business day processing costing $150, and next business day processing costing $200. The barcode is reasonably priced at an additional $25.

Before ordering your ISBN number and barcode you will need to have decided how much you will be setting your sales price at. The sales price is listed on the barcode so you need to know it ahead of time, before filling out your ISBN/barcode order form.

ISBN Resources

• isbn.org
• Apply for a single ISBN, and barcode
• Aardvark ISBN services
• Obtaining an ISBN for Your Self-Published Book