Getting an ISBN- Everything you need to know to Self Publish as a South Africa Author (Part 1)

You've written a book. You've spent months polishing it. Now you are ready to publish on Amazon, but don't know where to start.

In this new series of tutorials, I will guide you through everything you need to know to publish a book on Amazon. While this is aimed at South African authors, the principles can be applied by anyone.

Part 1: ISBN. 

ISBN stands for International standard book number. It's a unique number that identifies your book.

Every book needs one. Every format needs one. So for example, if you want to release an Epub version on the Kobo store, a .mobi version on Amazon, an audiobook and a print book, you will need 4 ISBN numbers.
Not only that but if you later go back and change the covers, or do major revisions to any of your books, you will need a new ISBN.

The bad news is ISBN's are expensive. A single ISBN will set you back $125. If you are releasing multiple versions of your book, it could end up costing you a lot of money.

Here's the good and the bad news. Amazon has created its own numbering system called ASIN. Amazon Standard Identification Number. Whenever you publish a book with them, they will assign you a free ASIN number. The bad news is this number isn't recognised anywhere else, and only supports the .mobi version of your manuscript.
so if you want to release a copy on the Kobo store, you will have to get an ISBN number.

For South African's, here's the Great News. ISBN's issued by the South African National Library are free. You heard correctly. I don't know why. I'm not asking too many questions, but as South African Authors, you do not pay a cent for your ISBN numbers.

So how do you go about obtaining one? 

- Head over to http://www.nlsa.ac.za/index.php/bibsa/isn-agency to get the email address of the person dealing with ISBN's. As of 5 September 2018 that would be Magret Kibido at Magret.Kibido@nlsa.ac.za

- Send an email with all the relevant information.

The National Library of South Africa

ISN Agency

Dear Ms. Magret Kibido

I am getting ready to publish a new novel and would like to apply for the relevant ISBN Numbers.

My Details are as follows:

Title of book:  Riftwalkers: The King and Guardian

Your target book format:

1) Paperback

2) eBook (ePUB)

3) eBook (MOBI)

4) AudioBook


Name of author: Brad Carsten

Name of publisher: Brad Carsten

Contact numbers: xxx xxx xxxx

Email address: You@YourEmailAddress.com

Web address: www.bradcarsten.com

Postal address: insert your postal address

If you require any additional information, please let me know.

Kind Regards

Brad Carsten.

- This could take a few days, but I received my shiny new ISBN numbers within one working day. 

- Once you have inserted your ISBN numbers into your book, you are then required to send a copy of the ebooks to: legaldeposit@nlsa.ac.za. along with the form that can be found at the following link

For print, if you print less than 100 copies even through CreateSpace, you need to send a copy to The National Library of South Africa 

if you print more than 100 copies, you need to send one copy to each of the 5 Legal deposits. 

• Mangaung Libraries 
• Msunduzi Libraries 
• National Film Video and Sound Archives
• National Library of South Africa 
• Library of Parliament

Up-to-date contact information can be found at:

http://www.legaldeposit.ac.za/

Please Note: Failure to do so could result in them no longer supplying you with ISBN's 

I hope you enjoyed the post.

If you enjoy Epic Fantasy, you may enjoy The King and Guardian (Riftwalkers book 1)