Support for Indie Authors discussion

Hello all!

I published my book as an ebook with BookBaby last year and now preparing to publish a paperback version via Ingram Spark (BB's printing costs are too high, making the price per book excessive, imo).

While I was researching ISBN buying options, I came across the website/services provider which called itself "Publisher Services" and was selling ISBNs and barcodes at much cheaper prices than Bowker: $55 for 1 ISBN+ 1 digital barcode, $93 for 2 each, $129 for 3 each etc. The site claims to be an "Official US ISBN Agency Channel Partner". Its website is "www dot isbn dash us dot com"

Does anyone know about / has come across this co? I have not been able to find anything (in terms of reviews) on the internet about it.

Any advice would be much appreciated! Have a good day!

MK

You should not be buying an isbn number from anyone other than your country's official agency, which in the US is Bowker.

If you buy from anyone else, they are a reseller. They are buying in bulk, registering in their name, and selling for a profit. This is not a government agency, and if you buy through them, the imprint/publisher associated with the isbn number will be their name, not yours. ISBN numbers are non-transferable. It will always be in their name.

You never need to buy a barcode. All of the PODs will automatically generate a barcode from the isbn number.

Agree with P.D. Only Bowker for U.S. authors. Good luck :).

PODs do generate ISBNs but as noted elsewhere that ISBN may show a publisher different than you intend. And maybe, limit your sales potential.

J. wrote: "PODs do generate ISBNs but as noted elsewhere that ISBN may show a publisher different than you intend. And maybe, limit your sales potential."

I'm not sure whether you are making a new point, or countering my point that PODs generate bar codes. For clarification, I mean that if you provide your own ISBN number (or if you use the POD's ISBN number) they will generate the bar code. You do not need to buy a bar code in addition to the ISBN number.

P.D. I was only talking about the ISBN number itself because I am still struggling with when I should buy a number and when to let the POD people supply one. At the moment I'm only concerned for print versions but maybe should be more concerned about even ebooks. Didn't mean to cloud things up about the barcodes.

Thank you very much to all!! It's very helpful!
MK

Had a look at 'Publisher Services' on-line and it appears to be a similar setup to 'Author Services' hence 'Authorhouse' which I use. Can't say more.

Felix wrote: "Had a look at 'Publisher Services' on-line and it appears to be a similar setup to 'Author Services' hence 'Authorhouse' which I use. Can't say more."

thank you!

P.D. Workman (Pamela) wrote: "You should not be buying an isbn number from anyone other than your country's official agency, which in the US is Bowker.

If you buy from anyone else, they are a reseller. They are buying in bulk..."

thanks a lot! Ive bought 10 ISBNs from the UK agency for slightly cheaper than Bowker :)

It's unwise to buy ISBNs from other than Bowker as you will not be the publisher of record. Whether the POD gives you an ISBN or you pay for it, they are the publisher of record. ISBNs are not transferable. Owning your book's ISBN is a wise investment for the future. Bowker sells 10 for $250 and 100 for $575. If you need more than one, purchasing 10 is a bargain.