WHAT IS AN ISBN AND WHY SHOULD YOU OWN IT?

What is an ISBN?

ISBN stands for International Standard Book Number. It's a unique numeric identifier used worldwide to identify books. Each ISBN is assigned to a specific edition of a book, whether it's a print book, eBook, or audiobook.

Why is an ISBN needed?

An ISBN is essential for the distribution, sale, and cataloging of books. Here's why it's needed:

1. Identification: An ISBN uniquely identifies a particular edition of a book, making it easy for booksellers, libraries, and readers to find and order the correct version.

2. Distribution: Many retailers, distributors, and libraries require books to have an ISBN for inventory management and ordering purposes. Without an ISBN, it may be difficult to get your book into traditional distribution channels.

3. Metadata: ISBNs are used in metadata systems to provide information about a book's title, author, publisher, format, and other details. This metadata is essential for online retailers, libraries, and bibliographic databases.

4. Copyright: In many countries, obtaining an ISBN is a prerequisite for copyright registration. It helps establish legal ownership and rights to your work.

5. Sales Tracking: ISBNs are used to track book sales and royalties. Publishers and authors can use ISBNs to monitor sales data and analyze market trends.

Why is it important for a self-publishing author to secure the ISBN in their own name? Securing the ISBN in your own name as a self-publishing author offers several benefits:

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