Support for Indie Authors discussion

Hi!
I did a lot of research regarding the ISBNs and I still don't know if I understand it:
1) Does an eBook that I publish on KDP need an ISBN? My editor says yes but I have some eBooks on my kindle that don't have one.
2) Draft2Digital provides ISBNs. If I list my book there, then I can use the same one for the eBook on Amazon, right? Because as far as I understood it, different ISBNs are only needed for different editions, not different distributors.
3) The barcode is only needed for print versions. Createspace provides ISBNs for free. If I choose that option, will they automatically provide the barcode image, also for free?
Thanks in advance :)

1) Ebooks do not require ISBNs.

2) See answer 1.

3) Createspace creates and includes the barcode.

Any ISBN supplied by a publishing venue, like D2D, Lulu, or Createspace, is valid only for the book you publish on that particular site and nowhere else. The free ISBN notes the publisher, and your book will be listed as being published by D2D, Lulu, Createspace, etc.

Ken wrote: "Any ISBN supplied by a publishing venue, like D2D, Lulu, or Createspace, is valid only for the book you publish on that particular site and nowhere else. The free ISBN notes the publisher, and your..."

This is correct. If your branding is important to you pay for your own ISBN and create your own imprint.

Martin wrote: "1) Ebooks do not require ISBNs.

2) See answer 1.

3) Createspace creates and includes the barcode."

This is not entirely true. An ebook does require an ISBN for the library market, and there are other markets which require it (audiobooks).

Okay, so my question is: Is an ISBN necessary for the eBook on Amazon? I'm just talking about ebook and only about Amazon. Until now, everyone told me it was not necessary.

Ken wrote: "Any ISBN supplied by a publishing venue, like D2D, Lulu, or Createspace, is valid only for the book you publish on that particular site and nowhere else. The free ISBN notes the publisher, and your..."

Okay, I understand that but Createspace is only for Amazon Paperbacks. What about KDP for ebooks?

Elodie wrote: "Okay, so my question is: Is an ISBN necessary for the eBook on Amazon? I'm just talking about ebook and only about Amazon. Until now, everyone told me it was not necessary."

No, you don't have to have an ISBN for an ebook in the Kindle Store.

(Sorry for getting lost in the weeds.)

Okay, thanks for the answer.
How does it work the other way around, meaning if I purchase my own ISBNs? I use one and the same for every ebook, no matter where I distribute them (Amazon, B&N, etc.) and another one for every Paperback - did I get that right?

Elodie wrote: "Okay, thanks for the answer.
How does it work the other way around, meaning if I purchase my own ISBNs? I use one and the same for every ebook, no matter where I distribute them (Amazon, B&N, etc...."

Technically Bowker wants you to use a different ISBN for each ebook format, but not everyone follows that rule and it is not enforced.

BTW, where are you? I ask because the rules vary by country. In the US and UK, for example, you can buy ISBNs. But Canada gives them away.

I'm located in Austria. I already figured out that there's one agency per country that assigns the ISBNs. In Austria we need to buy them.

Elodie wrote: "Ken wrote: "Any ISBN supplied by a publishing venue, like D2D, Lulu, or Createspace, is valid only for the book you publish on that particular site and nowhere else. The free ISBN notes the publish..."

I was answering your original question and giving examples. For Amazon ebooks, you don't need an ISBN; they give you what they call an ASIN. D2D does only ebooks, and some of their vendors require ISBNs, but you can't re-use a D2D ISBN elsewhere.

It's really difficult to chat on this subject, sorry^^ Makes sense, though, thanks for the info!
But with "you can't use a D2D ISBN elsewhere" you mean only I use one of theirs, not if I purchase the ISBN myself - right?

Right. If you have your own (purchased) ISBN you can use it for the same format anywhere you're given that option. D2D also gives you that option, but you're not supposed to use the same ISBN for both paperbacks and ebooks.

Now everything's cleared up - thanks so much for your support!!!

It's my understanding that you need a different ISBN for the different ebook formats, so mobi (Kindle), epub, and Smashwords epub would have 3 different ISBNs.

Yes you're right that makes sense

Smashwords lists only one ISBN on their website for each of my books, and they have it in all of the formats, mobi, epub, pdf, etc. D2D, same thing, so I think the different ebook formats are considered the same for ebooks by the same publisher.

Oh that's interesting, Ken. Thanks for the info.

Ok so mobi & epub for example are not considered as different Formats. they are just "ebooks" where no ISBN is needed but should I use one I could take one and the same.

Nate wrote: "Martin wrote: "1) Ebooks do not require ISBNs.

2) See answer 1.

3) Createspace creates and includes the barcode."

This is not entirely true. An ebook does require an ISBN for the library market,..."

I have 4 ebooks on Overdrive and in libraries. No ISBNs.

I recently published my book on Createspace and they assigned me an ISBN for the distribution channels like retailers and libraries. But I'm wondering, do they submit your book to libraries, or do you have to do it yourself?

No, if you have a CreateSpace ISBN it will be eligible for distribution to libraries. Otherwise that service is not available. You have to choose expanded (EDC) channel for any CS book to be distributed to large on-line retailers (B&N etc), booksellers and the bookdepository (UK).

Thanks, Nalini. I think I did choose expanded channels.