I have always been writing. After the birth of my children, my writing intensified.
As usual with the demands of raising a family, I put my dreams on hold. I kept telling myself one day I’ll publish my books. Time was running out, and I was not getting anything published.
One day, I met a friend who had her book published. That day, I told myself that today is as good a day as any to get started. I was not getting any younger. My friend provided me with the details of her publisher. I contacted them only to realize that they were not a traditional publisher, and they were going to charge me big bucks to publish my work: $475 for a single International Standard Book Number (ISBN) or the fee could be brought down to $200 if I did the ISBN application myself. However, I would not be provided with any information on how to lower my costs unless I signed a contract with them releasing the rights to my book. At that time, I had no idea about ISBNs or how to obtain them. I didn’t’ even know what the initials stood for. I started doing my research and was amazed at what I discovered. The so-called publisher was in actual fact a “vanity publisher”. I would have to pay them to “publish” my book.
After many hours of research, e-mail and phone calls, I was finally ready to embark on a journey of self-publishing. Imagine my surprise when I found out Library and Archives Canada (LAC) was providing a block of ten ISBNs for free. I didn’t have the heart to tell my friend she was duped into “publishing” her book by a printer disguised as a publisher. I did meet her much later whereby she expressed her dissatisfaction with her book and the “publisher”. She is stuck with these publishers because she signed a contract and used the ISBN provided to her by them. It wasn’t easy or speedy for me to gather all the information needed to self-publish my book. However once I did it, I realized how easy the ISBN application process was.
I would like to inform my readers as much as I can about how to obtain a Canadian ISBN. There is nothing alarming about making a Canadian ISBN application. All it takes is your time and organization. During my research most websites directed me to the American ISBN purchase site (RR Bowker). So I have decided to simplify matters by posting a blog to inform Canadian writers and would-be writers not to blindly purchase an ISBN from just anyone.
As a Canadian , you do not ever have to purchase an ISBN. He who owns the ISBN is deemed the publisher and reaps all the rewards. The ISBN identifies the individual book just as a SIN identifies a person. Look at it this way. John is making an application for a SIN to be used by Mike. John can now do whatever he wants with Mike’s SIN.
An ISBN for an individual book is equivalent to a SIN of an individual person. Why purchase something that is given away free by the Canadian government to assist writers? In return, you need only to provide one or two copies of your publication to LAC. This is a Legal Deposit.
If a vanity publisher supplies you with an ISBN, they are not going to allow you to print your book in the future by yourself or with someone else using the same ISBN or even the same book unless an agreement is met. I have come across writers who adamantly published their books with vanity publishers only to regret it later.
You can do it all by yourself with a little help and patience. Obtain the ISBN and make the legal deposit yourself. If you can buy something online, you can definitely open a CISS account. Don’t listen to he said, she said … or I heard that. Find out for yourself.
If you want to be in control of your book, inform the so-called publisher/POD (print on demand) that you will supply the ISBN yourself. If your offer of the ISBN is denied, just move on. You will never look back. ‘
Visit the Canadian ISBN Service System (CISS) and make the application today. It’s FREE. If you are reading this blog, you can definitely maneuver around CISS. Once the account is opened keep your username and password safely with all e-mail correspondence. You are solely responsible for the information. Print a copy of the form and go through the details before you start filling it out online. Some sections can be tricky but eventually with some research, you will be able to classify your book.
Receiving a block of 10 ISBNs should be encouragement enough to write nine more books. Every once in a while, go back to CISS and update your profile and manage your logbook. It took me two hours on a Saturday night to figure things out. I was quite pleased with myself until I hit the enter button only to learn the website was down.
I waited and tried again the next night when the site was up and running again. You can always drop me a line for assistance.
www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/ciss-ssci/index-e.html
In the United States, US ISBN Agency-Bowker is the only source authorized to assign ISBNs to publishers with US residency. It has to be purchased.
Self-published books have come a long way.
You can do it easily! Ask me how I can help you.
Thank you for reading my post, good luck with self-publishing and keep writing.
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