The Forge Archives

Hey guys,

How's it going?  Just a quick question- when is it worth it to purchase an ISBN number for a product? (i.e., going in general distribution, going into booktrade, etc.)

Many thanks in advance!

Hi SC,

Sorry I didn't get to this earlier.

1. "Worth it" is a difficult concept to address in a forum. I hope this helps ... think of an ISBN as a hoop to jump through. Without it, you are not going to be able to see other people selling your book. That is no big deal if you don't mind being the only vendor, but if you are thinking about bookstores or even, lately, on-line multi-title stores or fulfillment houses, then an ISBN is necessary.

2. Don't let con artists bilk you. The internet is full of helpful souls who will accept hundreds of dollars to "get" you an ISBN. Go straight to the source and buy'em yourself; they really don't cost very much.

3. Back to the utility of the thing itself ... speaking only of role-playing publishing, the visible aspect of the ISBN is a bar code on the book's cover. Now, the bar code and the ISBN are two different things; the former is only a graphic representation of the latter. You can get bar codes made in lots of ways, ranging from your printer charging you for the service to using free converter software on-line.

The bar code is kind of a fetish at role-playing stores, rather than a "real thing." I say this because few game retailers monitor their SKU inventory using the codes, and most that do put their own code-stickers onto the books anyway. But they like seeing that bar code on the back, and at this point, not having one is a surefire way to be ignored.

And on a larger scale, an ISBN does provide your book with some benefits which aren't too relevant for most RPG publishers.

4. Don't confuse ISBN for either of these two things: copyright or Library of Congress registration. The former is an automatic "gimme" and any disputes about it are handled through threats or legal action (there is no "mine" sticker which acts as a preventative). The latter is a whole 'nother publishing animal and is often necessary for your book to be carried at a public library or to be sold through major bookstores.

5. Finally, books also have a "product number," which is a number you make up and which catalogues use when listing your book (e.g. ADP1001 for Sorcerer).

All corrections, useful tips, and helpful links are appreciated.

Best,
Ron

More than you ever really wanted to know about ISBN's is available here:

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

There is a nice schematic explaining the parts of an ISBN here:

http://www.bisg.org/barcoding/barcode.html

Although it will probably take a while, the ISBN standard is undergoing a revision to increase the number from 10 digits to 13.  Info about the revision process is here:

http://www.nlc-bnc.ca/iso/tc46sc9/isbn.htm

Julie