A unique international number for book server, a good purpose for identifying books and makes it easy for global book distribution. Without a unique code, it will be difficult for booksellers to identifies other books with similar title. The unique code also helps in tracking book sales and managing inventory for the book retailers.
If you look at the benefits of ISBN (the unique international number for a book) then spending money on ISBN purchase is justified. Spending too much on a tracking code may eat your marketing budget, especially for self publishers.
ISBN is an international unique code. It is used and accepted globally, but ISBN is issued locally. That means you can only obtain an ISBN from the country of your nationality.
Cost for ISBN
The cost for an ISBN purchase depends on country to country. Some countries charge money for obtaining ISBN and others provide for free. For example, one ISBN in the USA costs $125 but neighboring country Canada offers ISBN’s for free.
If you are from the US, then you might be asking why ISBN is expensive. Let me tell you. ISBN is expensive for only self-publishing authors. It’s not expensive for book publishers. Book publishers purchase ISBN at bulk pricing. In the US, you can purchase 1000 ISBNs for $1500, that is $1.5 per ISBN. Book publishers have money to purchase ISBN in bulk. It is only self-publishing authors that want one ISBN or purchase ISBN when it’s needed.
ISBN agencies around the world are not kinds towards independent authors (self-publishing authors). In India, where ISBN are offered by the government for free, independent authors have to face many struggles to obtain ISBN but book publishers get an easy pass. It’s takes 14 days minimum to obtain 1 ISBN for independent authors in India. Authors have to wait 14 days, then reapply for a 2nd ISBN. Not only that, the rules are unfairly enforced by the ISBN agency in India.
ISBN Agency Monopoly
In the USA, the ISBN agency is privatized. Some country ISBN agencies are operated by the local government. Privatized ISBN agencies charge more for ISBN as it is a private company and a monopoly, but if you ask me, it’s still better than government operated ISBN agency. Free ISBN or no free ISBN, all ISBN agencies are monopolies.
Solution
You can buy ISBN from us at a low cost. We will assign your book a US-based ISBN under our reputable book publishing company. For just $39 per ISBN, you will get a unique ISBN code registered in the US, assigned to your book, a Barcode, the right to use our reputable publishing imprint name and lifetime support. After purchase, the ISBN code will be delivered to your email address instantly and assigned to your book within 24 hours.
We offer ISBN service to independent authors from anywhere in the world. You will get a US-based ISBN for $39 instead of $125, and get all the benefits that come with using a US-based ISBN. You can obtain an ISBN from the US ISBN Agency directly if you are not from the US. But, with our help, you can.
