Congrats, you just wrote your first book! Obtaining an ISBN (International Standard Book Number) in Canada is an important next step in bringing your book to the marketplace and into the hands of readers everywhere. What’s an ISBN, you say? An ISBN is a unique number that helps identify and track books worldwide. You’ve seen ISBNs on the backs of all your favourite books in the form of a barcode. If you’re self-publishing, you’ll need to get one of these on your own. Don’t worry though, in Canada the process of acquiring an ISBN is fairly simple (and free). Let’s walk you through the step-by-step process of obtaining an ISBN, so you can start selling your book!
1. Check if You Are Eligible
Before you get started with the ISBN application process, make sure that you are eligible to do so. ISBNs are issued by Library and Archives Canada (LAC) to publishers, self-publishing authors, and organizations involved in book production (universities and colleges for example). You don’t need to own your own company if you wish to get an ISBN for your book.
2. Gather Your Details
To complete the ISBN application, gather the following information:
- Publisher (you will use your name if self-publishing)
- Contact information
- Title, edition, and format of your book (paperback, ebook)
- Author’s name(s)
- Publication date
- Language(s) in which the book will be published
3. Complete the Application
Fill out the form to obtain an ISBN account on the Library and Archives Canada website. Make sure to fill out the information accurately, ensuring that you provide all the necessary details. From our experience, if there is a typo in your email address, you won’t be able to go back and correct it. So ensure everything is 100% before you click submit!
4. Submit the Application
When you’re confident that all information has been entered correctly, hit that submit button!
5. Await Confirmation
After submitting your application, you will have to wait to receive your confirmation. On average, this takes roughly 10 business days. Your confirmation will include your new ISBN account info and any additional instructions or requirements. This confirmation may be sent to you by email or mail, depending on your preferred submission method.
6. Create Your ISBN number
Now that you have an account, change your password as LAC will provide a temporary password for you in the beginning. After this, you’re ready to Assign your ISBN. You’ll see the link on the side menu. If you have more than one book to publish, you will see a list of them here as you create ISBNs for each one.
7. Incorporate the ISBN into Your Book
Once you confirm your ISBN, it’s time to use it! You will need to get a barcode to add to the back cover of your book and inside the book. You can hire a graphic designer on a site like Fiverr to make the barcode graphic for you, or you can create one yourself with a program like Cognex Free Barcode Generator. Include the ISBN as a barcode and a 13-digit number on the copyright page and the back cover of your book. This ensures proper identification and tracking in the market.
Getting an ISBN for your book in Canada is an important step in your journey as a self-published author. Having an ISBN allows your book to be recognized by booksellers and libraries around the world. Who knows, your book could be read on the streets of Paris. Anything is possible now once your book is published. You’re an officially published author, so enjoy the journey!
Useful Resources:
Library Archives of Canada – Services For Publishers
Cognex Free Barcode Generator
Graphic Designers Making Barcodes on Fiverr