An ISBN or International Standard Book Number is a code that identifies a publication using a 13-digit code. This code allows book stores, libraries, and individuals to find your publication easily, using the ISBN as a reference.

An ISBN can be used by self-publishers and publishing companies, and can be assigned to brochures, e-books, and manuscripts, as well as computer software, and cassettes that contain book readings.

Publications that cannot be given an ISBN are those that have a life expectancy, such as calendars, diaries, concert programs, and those publications which are classified as on-going, such as newspapers and magazines.

Newspapers, magazines and annual reports will require an ISSN or International Standard Serial Number, which is a topic that I shall discuss at a later date seeing that many businesses and individuals are now publishing e-zines and magazines.

The ISBN office, also known as Bowker, is located in over 160 countries around the world, and you must submit an application form to the authorised ISBN agent, in the country that you reside in, to be issued with an ISBN. For example – The Australian ISBN agency known as Thorpe-Bowker, is only able to issue ISBN’S to residents of Australia.

The application process for an ISBN is relatively inexpensive, and it takes only a week or two to process. Plus, you are also able to buy ISBN’s in bulk, if you predict that you will need to allocate these to future titles.

For more information on obtaining an ISBN, please visit the ISBN provider in your country. To locate this office online, please type in your nationality followed by ISBN into a search engine.

Australian ISBN Office – www.thorpe.com.au/isbn/

American ISBN Office – www.isbn.org/

UK ISBN Office - www.isbn.nielsenbookdata.co.uk/

Next week, I shall discuss the differences between Self-publication, Print-on-Demand Publishing, and Traditional Publishing for those of you who are looking to publish a book in the near future, but have no idea of which is the best method to use.