Understanding Book ISBNs and Copyrights
Publishing a book comes with more than just writing, editing, and choosing a cover. Two important components every author should understand are ISBNs and copyrights. Both are essential tools that help protect your work and make it discoverable. Here’s what you need to know.
What Is an ISBN?
ISBN stands for International Standard Book Number. It’s a unique 13-digit identifier assigned to each edition and format of a book (hardcover, paperback, ebook, etc.). Think of it as a tracking number for your book that helps libraries, bookstores, and distributors manage their inventory and sales.
Why ISBNs Matter
Discoverability: An ISBN helps your book appear correctly in databases like those used by retailers and libraries.
Professionalism: Having an ISBN makes your book look professional and publisher-ready.
Format Tracking: Each version of your book (hardcover, paperback, ebook, audiobook) needs a separate ISBN.
Where to Get One
In the U.S., ISBNs are issued by Bowker through MyIdentifiers.com. You can purchase a single ISBN or a block of them. If you're publishing through a platform like Amazon KDP, you’ll have the option to use a free ISBN provided by the platform. However, that ISBN will list them as the publisher, not you. If you want to publish under your own imprint or retain full publishing control, buy your own ISBNs. This also lets you distribute your book further outside of Amazon KDP.
Do I Need to Copyright My Book?
Copyright is the legal protection automatically granted to you as the creator of original work. The moment you write your manuscript in a tangible form (like a Word doc or handwritten notebook), you own the copyright.
What Copyright Does
Protects your rights to reproduce, distribute, perform, or adapt your work.
Prevents others from copying or profiting from your work without permission.
Gives you legal standing to take action if your work is infringed upon.
Do You Need to Register Copyright?
In the U.S., registration with the U.S. Copyright Office is not required but strongly recommended. Without registration, you can't pursue a legal claim for damages if someone uses your work without permission.
Bonus: Registration gives you a public record of ownership and allows you to claim statutory damages in court.
You can register online through copyright.gov. The process typically costs $45–$65 and takes a few months to complete.
ISBN vs. Copyright: What’s the Difference?
If you're planning to publish a book, take the time to secure both your ISBNs and copyright. An ISBN ensures your book can be tracked and sold across platforms, while copyright protects the creative work you’ve invested so much time and energy into.
Publishing is not just about the story—it’s also about understanding the systems that support and safeguard your work.
