A lot of my readers ask me what an ISBN is and why they need one. It’s actually a very important part of your preparation to publish. An ISBN puts your book on to lists and into data bases. It makes sure your book doesn’t get lost in the millions and millions of books in the world. It is used by booksellers and libraries to find, identify and order books.

The International Standard Book Number (ISBN) identifies your book as a unique publication worldwide. Each book, as well as each edition of a book, has its own ISBN. The ebook and audio book should also have their own ISBN. There might be other books in the world with the same title or another author with the same name as you, but the ISBN is as unique as a fingerprint. The thirteen-digit number allows booksellers to order books accurately and efficiently. Since computers are so commonly used in business, the ISBN has become essential. Most booksellers use some kind of database program and books are entered by their ISBNrather than their title.

 In Canada the ISBN is free. You order it from the National Library of Canada website at www.collectionscanada.gc.ca. You can only order one number at a time unless you are a major publisher. At one time we could order blocks of 10 or 100, but the National Library no longer allows it. The form is online and easy to fill out. Make sure you receive your ISBN before you have books printed or upload your ebooks.

In America you have to purchase your ISBN from R.R. Bowker at www.isbn.org and it can cost up to $100. You book will be listed in Bowker Books in Print™, which is used by all major search engines and most bookstores and libraries. If you use a company such as AuthorSolutions, Smashword or CreateSpace, they will give you an ISBN as part of the publishing package.

The ISBN goes on the Legal Page or Copyright Page. That is the verso of your Title Page. Anyone who formats book interiors should know how to design the Copyright Page. The ISBN goes under the copyright blurb so it is near the top of the page and readily visible.

The ISBN should also be on the back of the book imbedded in the barcode. The type of barcode you want to use is the Bookland EAN barcode. Cover designers and printers will normally put this on the back of the book. It is normally in the bottom right corner of the back cover.

Order your ISBN at 4-6 weeks before you plan to publish your book. It takes time to arrive in your Inbox and you don’t want to have to put your publishing project on hold because you did not plan ahead. Remember, an ISBN makes your book look professional and gives you an edge when competing with the big guys. It’s a very useful tool, so be sure to use it.