If you’re an author or publisher looking to sell your book on Amazon, you may be wondering if you can use an existing ISBN to publish your book. The answer is: it depends.
First, let’s review what an ISBN is. An ISBN (International Standard Book Number) is a unique identifier assigned to a book that provides information about the book’s title, author, edition, and publisher. The ISBN is used by booksellers, libraries, and distributors to order, stock, and track books.
If you already have an ISBN assigned to your book, you can use it to publish your book on Amazon, but there are a few things to keep in mind:
- The ISBN must be valid and active.
If the ISBN you have was assigned to a previous edition of your book or is no longer active, you will need to purchase a new ISBN. The ISBN must be valid and active for your book to be listed on Amazon and for booksellers and distributors to order and stock your book.
- The ISBN must match the format of your book.
If you’re publishing a new edition of your book or publishing it in a new format (e.g., paperback, hardcover, ebook), you will need to make sure the ISBN matches the format of your book. Each format requires a unique ISBN.
- The ISBN must be exclusive to your book.
If you’re using an ISBN that was assigned to a different book or edition, or if the ISBN is being used by another publisher or author, you will need to purchase a new ISBN. Each book requires a unique ISBN get an ISBN.
- The ISBN must be registered with the appropriate agency.
Before using your ISBN to publish your book on Amazon, you will need to register it with the appropriate agency. In the United States, the agency responsible for assigning ISBNs is Bowker. In other countries, there are national ISBN agencies that assign ISBNs. You will need to register your ISBN with the appropriate agency and provide information about your book, such as the title, author, publisher, and format.
Once you’ve registered your ISBN and ensured that it is valid, active, and exclusive to your book, you can use it to publish your book on Amazon. To do so, you will need to create an account on Amazon’s self-publishing platform, Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP). During the publishing process, you will be prompted to enter your book’s ISBN and other information, such as the title, author, description, and keywords. You will also need to upload your book file and cover image.
It’s important to note that if you don’t have an ISBN or don’t want to use your existing ISBN, KDP offers a Buy discounted ISBN option for ebooks. However, if you want to sell your book in print format, you will need to purchase an ISBN and barcode separately.
In conclusion
If you already have an ISBN assigned to your book, you can use it to publish your book on Amazon, but you must ensure that it is valid, active, and exclusive to your book. If you don’t have an ISBN or don’t want to use your existing ISBN, KDP offers a free ISBN option for ebooks. Regardless of which option you choose, make sure to register your ISBN with the appropriate agency and enter accurate information about your book during the publishing process. This will ensure that your book is listed correctly on Amazon and is available for readers to discover and purchase.
