Mistake #6 (Re: ISBN Numbers)

On the verge of their first publications, self-publishers can be preoccupied with many questions. Is the content up to snuff? Is the cover right? How do I market? Etc. 

If this is you, sit down and take a deep breath. Or you might be sorry.

One of my MISTAKES in the rush: I missed using my own ISBN number on KDP (the publishing arm of Amazon). 

Why does this matter? Every paperback and hardcopy book must have an ISBN #. If you don’t provide your own #, KDP will automatically generate one and list your book as Independently Published, a designation that can scream newbie.

So I got my own ISBN #s (free in Canada) and created my own publishing imprint, La Grange-Presse. 

But overwhelmed, I forgot to tell my formatter (he loaded the file), and Amazon currently lists my book as Independently Published. Arggh. Yes, Amazon may be willing to transfer reviews to a new ISBN after the author unpublishes and republishes, but it’s complicated.

What I did right: I may have missed the whole ISBN# thing, however I did go over my formatter’s file with a fine-tooth comb. It took hours, but I’m glad I caught the errors.  

***P.S. Whatever country you live in, companies offering expensive ISBN#s are probably scams.***