A Guide to Self-Publishing Platforms with Free ISBNs

Self-publishing has become increasingly popular recently, allowing authors to take control of their work and publish their books without the need for a traditional publishing house. Now anyone can become a published author without spending any money on book printing and managing inventory. The rise of print on-demand service for books has given authors advantage to get their book published without any barrier to entry and make a living. There are many self-publishing platforms with advantages and disadvantages, here are Self-Publishing Platforms with Free ISBNs.

What is ISBN?

An ISBN, or International Standard Book Number, is a 13-digit code that is assigned to each edition and version of a book. This unique identifier helps booksellers and libraries to track inventory, process orders, and manage sales. Without an ISBN, it can be difficult for authors to sell their books through traditional channels, as retailers typically require this identifier.

While it is possible to purchase an ISBN, many self-publishing platforms offer free ISBNs as part of their services. These platforms not only provide a unique identifier for books but also offer a range of tools and resources to help authors format, distribute, and market their work.

For self-publishers, having an ISBN is essential for selling books through online retailers. It allows booksellers, libraries, and other retailers to easily track and order books, which can increase visibility and sales.

Getting an ISBN is a straightforward process, although it varies by country. In the United States, ISBNs are assigned by Bowker, a company that provides a range of services to the book publishers and individual authors. Authors and publishers can purchase a single ISBN or a block of ISBNs from Bowker’s website. In other countries, ISBNs may be assigned by a national agency or organization.

Self-publishers should keep in mind that each version of a book, including ebook and paperback, requires a separate ISBN. Some self-publishing platforms, such as Amazon KDP, offer free ISBNs as part of their services. 

Self-Publishing Platforms with Free ISBNs

Some of the most popular self-publishing platforms that offer free ISBNs include Amazon KDP, IngramSpark, and Draft2Digital. Each platform has its own set of advantages and disadvantages, and authors should consider their individual needs and goals when choosing a platform. If you want to publish more books in the future and build your own author brand, then you must purchase your own ISBN because there are many downsides of using free ISBN.

Amazon KDP

Amazon KDP is one of the most popular self-publishing platforms, and it offers a free ISBN to authors who publish their books through the platform. Amazon KDP also provides tools for marketing books, making it a good choice for authors who want a simple and straightforward self-publishing experience.

If you’re a self-publisher looking to distribute your work through Amazon, KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) is one of the most popular platforms available. In addition to providing a simple book publishing process, KDP also offers free ISBNs to authors who publish their books through the platform. 

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to get a free ISBN on KDP:

• Sign in or create an account on KDP.
• Navigate to the “Bookshelf” tab and click on “Create a new title.”
• Follow the prompts to input your book’s title, description, and other details.
• When you reach the content section, select “Free KDP ISBN” and click “Continue.” Your book will get ISBN assigned with just one click.
• Verify your publishing territories and click “Save and continue.”
• Follow the remaining prompts to upload your book’s content and cover, set your pricing and royalty options, and publish your book.

While KDP’s free ISBNs can be a great option for self-publishers, there are also pros and cons to using the platform overall. Here are a few to consider:

Pros:

• Free ISBN: As mentioned, KDP offers free ISBNs, which can save self-publishers money.
• Large market: Amazon is one of the largest retailers in the world, and publishing through KDP can provide access to a large customer base.
• Range of tools: KDP offers a range of distribution and marketing option, as well as marketing tool like Amazon Advertising.

Cons:

• No ebook distribution: While publishing through KDP provides access to Amazon’s customer base, it may not be the best option for authors looking to sell their ebooks through other online retailers.
• Limited print book size option: Amazon KDP is now also allowing authors to publish hardcover books with limited size options.
• Limited control: KDP’s formatting options can be limited, and authors may not have full control over the appearance and layout of their books.

IngramSpark

IngramSpark is another popular self-publishing platform that offers free ISBNs to only US-based customers, IngramSpark is particularly useful for authors who want to distribute their books through a variety of channels, including brick-and-mortar bookstores and libraries. IngramSpark charges title setup fees and each time book revision is submitted. Also, IngramSpark is a little complex compared to Amazon KDP publishing process.

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to get a free ISBN on IngramSpark:

• Sign in or create an account on IngramSpark.
• Navigate to the “Add a New Title” tab and click “Get Started.”
• Follow the prompts to input your book’s details, including its title, author, and publication information.
• When you reach the “ISBN” section, select “Use a free ISBN” and click “Save and Continue.”
• Verify your distribution options and click “Save and Continue.”
• Follow the remaining prompts to upload your book’s content and cover, set your pricing and royalty options, and publish your book.

Once you’ve completed these steps, IngramSpark will provide you with a unique ISBN that can be used to identify and track your book through traditional retail channels.

While IngramSpark’s free ISBNs can be a great option for self-publishers, there are also pros and cons to using the platform overall. Here are a few to consider:

Pros:

Wide distribution network: IngramSpark partners with a range of distributors, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and independent bookstores, to provide access to a wide customer base.

Formatting options: IngramSpark allows authors to upload their books in a range of formats, including print-on-demand paperback, hardcover and ebook options.

Professional resources: IngramSpark offers a range of professional resources, including editing and design services, to help authors create high-quality books.

Cons:

• While IngramSpark’s ISBNs are free, the platform charges fees for other services, including printing and distribution. These fees can add up quickly, especially for authors looking to distribute their work on a wide scale.
• Learning curve: IngramSpark’s formatting and distribution options can be more complex than those offered by other platforms, which may require more time and effort to learn.
• Limited control: While IngramSpark offers more flexibility than KDP in terms of formatting options, authors may still have limited control over the appearance and layout of their books.

Ultimately, the decision to use IngramSpark depends on an individual author’s goals and priorities. By understanding the pros and cons of the platform, self-publishers can make an informed decision about whether IngramSpark is the right choice for their work.

Draft2Digital

Draft2Digital is a self-publishing platform that provides authors with a range of tools and resources to publish and distribute their books. They offer free ISBN and a range of distribution options, including ebook and print-on-demand and Audiobook. Draft2Digital also provides tools and resources for formatting and marketing books, and it may be a good choice for authors who want a range of distribution options without paying any upfront fees. 

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to get a free ISBN on Draft2Digital:

• Sign up or log in to your Draft2Digital account.
• Navigate to your “My Books” page and click on “Add New Book.”
• Fill out your book details, including the title, author name, description, and other relevant information.
• Scroll down to the “ISBN” section and select “Request Free ISBN.”
• Fill out the required fields, including the book format, publication date, and copyright holder information.
• Click “Save and Continue” to move on to the next step in the publishing process.

Once you have completed these steps, Draft2Digital will provide you with a unique ISBN for your book, which can be used to identify and track it through traditional retail channels.

While obtaining a free ISBN on Draft2Digital is a great benefit for self-publishers, it is important to consider the pros and cons of using the platform overall. Here are a few to keep in mind:

Pros:

• User-friendly interface: Draft2Digital’s platform is designed to be user-friendly and easy to navigate, which can be helpful for authors who are new to self-publishing.
• Wide distribution network: Draft2Digital partners with a range of retailers, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Kobo, to help authors reach a wide audience.
• Formatting options: Draft2Digital offers a range of formatting options for ebooks, including the ability to add images, links, and other multimedia.

Cons:

• Limited customization: While Draft2Digital offers a range of formatting options, authors may have limited control over the appearance and layout of their books.
• Limited customer support: Draft2Digital’s customer support options are somewhat limited, which may be frustrating for authors who encounter technical issues or other challenges.

Honorable Mention

Lulu: Lulu is a viable alternative to Amazon KDP publishing that offers free ISBNs. The advantage of Lulu Publishing is that they offer a free publishing service, no upfront cost and a wide range of book size and setup options. The problem is their print on-demand cost is very high compared to Amazon KDP. That means you will make less profit until you sell your book at a high price. On the other hand, there is no built-in tool to market your book.

NotionPress: NotionPress is a regional (available only in India) book publishing platform and services. They offer publishing services with upfront cost and a do-it-yourself book publishing option for free that includes free ISBN too. Their book distribution is limited for free publishing options, but they provide an easy book publishing process in India.

There are plenty of book publishing companies that help independent authors self-publish their books with free ISBN, but these companies charge fees for publishing services. They offer publishing and marketing packages to help authors in the whole process of getting their work out into the world. Companies such as Bookbaby, iUniverse, Bookllo Publishing, Xlibris etc offer book publishing services with free ISBNs.