Does my book require an ISBN number?
You may or may not require an ISBN for your book. It depends on where and how you will be selling / distributing your book.
Before I explain when you may need an ISBN number you may first be wondering:
What exactly is an ISBN number?
Basically each ISBN number is a unique set of digits that is assigned to a book. The book that is assigned the ISBN number will have that unique number; no other book will have the same number. You may like to see it as a unique address that is only assigned to your book. Though please note all copies of your book will have the same ISBN number (you don’t need a different ISBN number for each copy you print).
What is the ISBN number used for?
The ISBN number is mainly used for commercial trade purposes. It helps to keep your book data assigned to your book in online databases, helps retailers to find your book when searching for it on distribution channels, helps the retailer or wholesaler to keep track of your book when they are stocking it and, of course, as you will be aware, when someone is purchasing your book in a store the ISBN easily helps the store identify the book when they scan the barcode (your ISBN number).
When do I need an ISBN number for my book?
It might be easier to explain this by telling you when you don’t need one: If you are intending only to distribute the book yourself and not have it for sale on retail websites or brick and mortar stores, then an ISBN number is not needed. Also, if you use a printing service like lulu.com and only intend to sell your book through the lulu site (and not any other retail site or shop), then you don’t require an ISBN number (you may need to check with the printing service that you are going to use if they require you to have an ISBN).
On the other hand if you are planning for your book to be available on book retail websites (including Amazon) and /or for sale to wholesalers / brick and mortar retail shops, then yes, your book will need an ISBN number.
P.S. If you were wondering what ISBN stands for: International Standard Book Number.
Photo by BillPe