Common Questions About ISBNs
If a publishing entity supplies the ISBN, are they the registered publisher?
Yes—typically the entity that assigns the ISBN is recorded as the publisher of record. The ISBN uniquely identifies a specific book/format and ties it to the organisation responsible for production, marketing and distribution. Contract terms between author and publisher still govern rights and responsibilities, but the ISBN registration itself points to the publisher of record.
Who sets the retail price: the author or the publisher?
It depends on the publishing model. In a traditional deal, the publisher generally sets the list price (sometimes with author input). In self-publishing, you are effectively the publisher of record and set your own price for each format and sales channel.
Where can I get an ISBN (Australia)?
Thorpe-Bowker is the official ISBN Agency for publishers located in Australia. Obtaining ISBNs from the official agency ensures the publisher information is correctly recorded and widely discoverable in industry databases.
ISBNs are the global standard for identifying books and book-like products (e.g., ebooks). Each ISBN specifies the publisher, format and edition.
Do I need an ISBN?
Each format/edition of your book needs its own ISBN (e.g., paperback, hardcover, EPUB, PDF, audiobook). If you plan multiple formats—or future editions—consider purchasing a block of ISBNs. (New publishers registering with Thorpe-Bowker may incur a once-off setup fee.)
Why get an ISBN?
- Improves the likelihood your book is found and purchased.
- Links your title to essential metadata (title, author, publisher, format).
- Enables efficient ordering, distribution and inventory tracking.
- Required by most retailers and libraries.
- Ensures inclusion in Books In Print and related databases used by the trade.
How many ISBNs do I need?
You need one ISBN per edition and format. Plan ahead:
- How many titles will you publish?
- Which formats for each title (paperback, hardcover, EPUB, PDF, audiobook, etc.)?
- Will you release revised editions?
