11/08/2025
How to register an ISBN correctly
Registering an ISBN correctly
To correctly register an ISBN, you'll need to follow these steps:
Purchase your ISBN(s) from the designated agency in your country.
In the UK, this can be done via P2D Books Ltd or the Nielsen UK ISBN Agency.
In the US, it's Bowker.
You can typically buy them individually or in blocks (e.g., 10, 100). Buying in blocks is often more cost-effective if you plan to publish multiple books or formats.
Register the ISBN(s) and provide essential metadata.
Your chosen ISBN agency will guide you on the specific registration process and required metadata.
This typically includes:
Book title and subtitle (if applicable): as presented on the title page, without abbreviations.
Author(s) and contributor(s): Only those listed on the title page
Publisher name: The name you chose when purchasing the ISBN(s).
Format or binding: e.g., paperback, hardback, ebook.
Publication date (approximate if necessary): including at least the month and year.
Retail price.
Number of pages.
Short description or blurb.
Category (e.g., fiction, non-fiction).
Front cover image (for print books).
Keep your ISBN information up-to-date.
If your contact details (address, phone, website) or any other relevant information changes, notify your ISBN agency in writing.
Ensure the ISBN and barcode are correctly integrated into your book's design (for print books).
The ISBN and barcode are usually placed on the lower portion of the back cover and on the copyright page.
An ISBN barcode should typically be around 2 inches wide by 1.2 inches tall, or 50.8 x 30.5 mm, but a minimum size of 1.4 inches wide by 0.8 inches tall (35.56 x 20.3 mm) is acceptable. It's also crucial to ensure the barcode is printed with a solid white background and is positioned at least 0.25 inches (6.3 mm) from the spine and trim of the cover.
Fulfill legal deposit requirements.
In the UK, you are required to send one copy of your printed publication to the British Library within one month of publication.
You are also obligated to send copies to the other legal deposit libraries, ALDL (Agency for the Legal Deposit Libraries).
Important considerations
Separate ISBNs for different formats and editions: You need a different ISBN for each format (hardback, paperback, ebook, audiobook) and each new or revised edition.
Purchased ISBNs: Self-publishing platforms offer ISBNs, but these have to be listed as the publisher. Purchasing your own allows you to use your own imprint/publishing name.
Metadata is crucial for discoverability: Providing accurate and comprehensive metadata helps bookstores, libraries, and online platforms identify and list your book correctly.
Maintain a master spreadsheet: Keep track of your ISBNs, formats, release dates, and distribution platforms in an organized manner.
By following these steps, you can correctly register your ISBNs and enhance the discoverability and distribution of your publications.
A common mistake made by many publishers and commonly seen on the likes of Amazon, is they do not list the book correctly and many listings are missing a front cover image.
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This is such a simple process to ensure the listing is done in the correct manner, and promotes your book in the best way possible.
