Can two books have the same ISBN number?
Two books may have precisely the same content but be issued different ISBNs because they come from different printings
. Likewise, printing errors, etc., can in rare cases render two books different despite having the same ISBN. For nearly all cases, however, the one-to-one relationship holds.
Do the same books have the same ISBN?
If a second edition has the same title as the first, does it keep the same ISBN? No.
A new edition is considered a different product and gets its own ISBN
.
Why do some books have the same ISBN?
International Edition textbooks have a different ISBN than the standard edition.
If a book is reprinted by its same publisher without any changes or revisions, it will keep the same ISBN
. Here’s an example of an ISBN above and below a bar code on the back of a book.
Is ISBN number unique for each book?
ISBN is an acronym for International Standard Book Number. It’s a unique series of digits assigned to every book published in the world.
Each different edition of the same book has its own ISBN
. That means the paper-format, digital, illustrated or translated versions of the same book have different ISBNs.
Can books with the same ISBN have different covers?
Sometimes publishers use the same ISBN for hardback and trade paperback editions of a title
, since both are contructed from the same printing of the text, just packaged differently. And sometimes publishers re-use an ISBN for a completely different title.
Can an ISBN be reused?
No, once a title is published with an ISBN on it, the ISBN can never be used again
. Even if a title goes out of print, the ISBN cannot be reused since the title continues to be catalogued by libraries and traded by used booksellers.
Do I need a new ISBN for a second edition?
If you create a second edition with new material to “freshen” the book and give it new marketing life, it must have a new ISBN
. If you change the title of the book you must have a new ISBN. Remember that your ISBN identifies a specific work.
What does ISBN number tell you?
An ISBN is essentially a product identifier used by publishers, booksellers, libraries, internet retailers and other supply chain participants for ordering, listing, sales records and stock control purposes. The ISBN
identifies the registrant as well as the specific title, edition and format
.
How are ISBN numbers assigned?
ISBNs are assigned
based on the geographical location of the publisher
, not the printing company. If a publisher is selling their books on their own and are not trying to place them in stores or libraries or with wholesalers, is an ISBN required? No, an ISBN is not required.
Do I need ISBN to sell on Amazon?
An ISBN is required to list a new book for retail sale on Amazon.com
.
How much does an ISBN cost?
The going rate for
a single ISBN costs $125, while 10 ISBNs cost $295, 100 ISBNs cost $575, and 1000 ISBNs cost $1500
. Note that these prices are based on the price listings at Bowker for those living in the United States. For ISBNs purchased internationally, prices do vary (and are often cheaper).
Do I need an ISBN to publish on Amazon?
You can choose to either use your own ISBN or publish without an ISBN
. If you publish without an ISBN, we’ll automatically assign an ASIN for your book.
Do I need a new ISBN if I change my book cover?
The ISBN only changes if the product changes. If changing the cover of a book, does a new ISBN have to be assigned? US practice is if the book is just out or the idea is to give a marketing boost to the product, then
no, a new ISBN should not be assigned
.
What if a book has two publishers?
Guilford Press. If a book includes multiple publishers on its copyright page,
place the publisher names in the order they are shown on the work
(see Chapter 10, Example 24, in the Publication Manual).
Can I publish the same book with different ISBN numbers?
Once assigned to a book, an ISBN cannot be reused. This is a very important point to keep in mind.
The same ISBN cannot be used for different formats of the book
, whether the book is in printed or electronic form. That means hardcover and softcover versions of the book have to be assigned separate ISBNs.
Can an ISBN be deleted?
ISBNs cannot be altered or removed
, but titles and other details can.
Can I change my ISBN?
An ISBN cannot be re-used
, even if the book in question goes out of print. In whose name is the ISBN issued? It is issued to the publisher. If you want to be the publisher of record in book databases and catalogs, make sure you apply for your own ISBN.
What makes a book a second edition?
A second edition has
significant changes to the original book
. These changes can be the cover or interior of the book. By significant, I mean there has to be more than just fixing a couple of typos. In the case of correcting some grammar, it is far easier to just quietly make those changes and resubmit a file.
What is considered as a second edition book?
To begin, let’s discuss what a second edition is. A book should only be released as a second edition
if readers who already own the first edition would benefit from owning the second
. To unpack that, start by imagining your reader.
What is the difference between editions of the same book?
In publishing terms,
an edition is technically all copies of a book that were printed from the same setting of type
and the book is only described as a second edition if substantial changes are made to the copy.
How do I tell if a book is a first edition?
Look for the Words “First Edition” on the Copyright Page
This will fluctuate depending on the publishing house, but most publishers will designate that a book is a first edition on the copyright page.
Do I need an ISBN to self publish?
When you publish a book, your publisher (or you, if you’re self-publishing) will—or should—assign an ISBN to your book
. An International Standard Book Number, or ISBN, is a unique 10- or 13-digit number assigned to every book and book-like product.
Can you tell if a book is first edition by the ISBN number?
Generally speaking,
if the “1” is present, the book is a first edition
(first edition, first printing). For the second printing, the “1” is removed, so the “2” is the lowest number present. For example, a number line that reads 5 6 7 8 9 indicates a fifth printing.
What is the difference between ISBN 10 and ISBN 13?
For more than thirty years, ISBNs were 10 digits long. On January 1, 2007 the ISBN system switched to a 13-digit format. Now
all ISBNs are 13-digits long
. If you were assigned 10-digit ISBNs, you can convert them to the 13-digit format at the converter found at this website.
How do I get an ISBN number for my self published book?
You can purchase your own ISBN from Bowker or through your local ISBN agency
. If you are reprinting your book, the title, author name, and binding type must remain the same. A new edition requires a new ISBN. Your book’s imprint must match what’s on file with your ISBN.
Does ISBN protect copyright?
If I get an ISBN does that mean my work is copyrighted? No.
Obtaining an ISBN does not mean the book is copyrighted
. A copyright is exclusive legal right to the creator of original works to print, publish, perform, or record literary works.
How much does Amazon keep when you sell a book?
When you sell a book on Amazon, Amazon takes
15% of the sale price
. For example, if you sell a book for $10, the referral fee will be $1.50. This fee is subtracted from the proceeds after a sale is made, so you don’t have to pay it upfront.
Can you use the same ISBN for print and eBook?
A print book ISBN cannot be reused for the eBook
. 2. It is recommended, but not required, that you assign a unique ISBN per format. A format is a Kindle eBook, an EPUB (used by B&N, Apple, Kobo, etc.), audiobook, hardcover, paperback.
How many ISBN numbers do you need per book?
How do I copyright my book?
- Go to the U.S. Copyright Office website.
- Select the “Literary Works” category.
- Create a new account.
- Start the copyright registration process.
- Fill out the details.
- Complete the copyright application.
- Submit your work to finish copyrighting your book.
Do I need to buy a barcode for my book?
If you do not plan to sell your book in brick-and-mortar bookstores, you do not need a barcode
. If you want stores to be able to scan your ISBN, you will need one. The barcode holds additional information besides the ISBN, like the price of the book.
How much is an ISBN number from Amazon?
Can I change my KDP ISBN?
Once your book is published, the ISBN cannot be changed
. If you need to change the ISBN, you should republish your book using a new ISBN number. Before doing that, make sure the original book is unpublished first. For books in Draft status, you can edit your ISBN.
Do you need a barcode to sell books on Amazon?
If you are publishing your paperbacks through KDP you do not need to provide your own barcode. Amazon will do this for you. Quick, easy, no problems. But,
If you want wide distribution in retail then you need to have a barcode on your book
.
Do all books have the same barcode?
Because each version of a book is a unique product—the hardcover version of a book might have a different jacket, size, and price than the paperback—
each version needs to receive its own ISBN and therefore its own barcode
.
What is the difference between ISBN numbers?
ISBN 10 and ISBN 13 are two different systems used in systematic numbering of books between which some differences can be identified. ISBN stands for International Standard Book Number.
ISBN 10 was the system that was used earlier whereas ISBN 13 is the new system
. This is the main difference between the two systems.
