How should I get an ISBN for my book (self-published)?

Question

Should I buy 10 from Bowker (which I don't need) or get 1 from http://www.publisherservices-us.com/ipporder.htm? Is publisher service us a scam or is it the best way to get an isbn for an individual book?

All I have to do is give them the name of the book? Does this copyright the book?

Answer 1

Prices used to be a lot cheaper (like $10 for an ISBN) about 8 years ago but they jumped way up all of a sudden. The individual price is a good deal, I'd take it. Usually they DO require that you buy a batch of 10 and the lowest they usually charge is in the $300 range. Unless you're going to do at least three books, go for the individual.

You'd have to file your own copyright--send two full books to the copyright office with the paperwork (get it at the copyright.gov site) and $35 for the fee.

Are you applying for a preassigned Library of Congress Card Number? It's free. You submit a one page appliction and it's processed in 5 days. Mail it to the Library of Congress, Cataloging In Publication Division, 101 Independence Ave. SE, Wahsington DC 20540, you need to send a complimentary copy of your addition with the form to taht address. They issue the number which goes on the inside title page of your book.

Then you get a CIP number, for the Cataloging in Publication Program. This goes on the reverse of the title page. This makes the book available to all the libraries in the country. You get the form from Quality Books, Publishers--Catalonging in Publication, 1033 W. Pines Road, Oregon, IL 61061 and ask for the form. I THINK that's free as well.

You can be walked through this with the book Self-Publish your Book With Little Or No Money by Rainbow's End Publishing, or The Complete Idiot's Guide To Self Publishing. (Check your library for these)

Answer 2

The following link might be of help

Answer 3

You may want to check out this site as well. Very informative!!

http://www.isbn.org/standards/home/index.asp

Answer 4

I recommend using Lulu.

http://www.lulu.com/

Answer 5

I recommend www.iuniverse.com