Editor’s Note: We have quite a few Canadian folks in our Write | Publish | Sell Facebook group, and there are a few differences between Canada and the US when it comes to publishing. We asked our friend Michelle Cornish, author of the forthcoming thriller, Murder Audit, to share her experience on obtaining an ISBN when you live in Canada. Thank you so much, Michelle!
Over the last year I have learned A LOT about being a self-published author. I still have a lot to learn and I know I will make many more mistakes but that’s how you learn! One of the big mistakes I made was using an ISBN from CreateSpace when I first published the print version of my book.
What is an ISBN and why do you need one?
ISBN stands for International Standard Book Number and it is a unique number that identifies each edition and version of a book or book-like product. An ISBN is separate from a bar code which can be purchased from various online providers. You may even be able to get a barcode from your book cover designer. If they don’t provide this as part of their cover design services, they may be able to recommend a reputable place to purchase one.
You MUST have an ISBN for your book if you will be selling a print version. The ISBN isn’t required for ebooks but in Canada it’s free to get one so it’s up to you if you would like to have an ISBN for your ebook. This is a separate ISBN from the one you get for your print book.
Why the CreateSpace ISBN isn’t good enough
Here’s where I screwed up big time!
I was so excited to get my print book out into the world that I didn’t realize using the free ISBN from CreateSpace meant CreateSpace was my publisher and I wasn’t free to put the book on other print-on-demand platforms. Once I realized this, I started the process of transferring the book from CreateSpace to IngramSpark. Having your own ISBN means you are free to use any platform you like to publish your book. Every author should be aware of this when it comes to ISBNs.
How do Canadians get an ISBN for free?
If you are in the US, you can purchase your ISBN through Bowker. It’s $125 per ISBN but they do have package deals if you plan on writing more than one book. Don’t use this service if you live in Canada! Canadians can get ISBNs for free through the Government of Canada and the process is surprisingly simple.
Step 1 – Create a free ISBN Canada account here. You will enter your name and address and information about your publishing company (if applicable). You do not need to publish under a separate entity. You can operate under your personal name but if you are concerned about the advantages and disadvantages of operating under your name or a business name, please check with your accountant. It will take up to 10 business days to receive confirmation of your account.
Step 2 – Once Library and Archives Canada have created your account, you will receive an email from them that contains your user name and password. You will need this to access your account.
Step 3 – Now that your Library and Archives Canada account is active, you can start requesting ISBNs. Go to ISBN Canada and choose “login”. Once you are logged in, you will see a menu on the left hand side of the screen. Choose the “manage logbook” option.This will take you to a new screen where you will see your ISBNs once you have created them. To create an ISBN, choose “assign new ISBN” just under where it says “manage logbook”.
After you click “assign new ISBN” you will be taken to a screen where you enter the information about your book. Here you can also choose to be emailed a copy of the ISBN. The ISBN will be assigned immediately and you can start using it.
Step 4 – When your book is published, send a copy of your book to The Library Archives Canada for their collection! Learn more about how to do that here.
The Library Archives Canada site has a handy video you can watch to learn more about ISBNs. You can watch it here. What questions do you have about ISBNs? Leave them in the comments below.
Michelle Cornish
Michelle is a freelance writer, CPA, and author of Keep More Money: Find an Accountant You Trust to Help You Grow Your Small Business, Increase Profit, and Save Tax. When she’s not writing, Michelle enjoys painting and spending time with her family in the sunny Okanagan, BC, Canada. Learn more about Michelle at MichelleCornish.com
Great info. Stuff I did not know.
Keep up the great work
Thanks
Cary
Thank you for this very helpful article.
Does getting a Canadian ISBN (as opposed to from Bowker) in any way limit my ability to sell/distribute my book through Amazon in the USA?
I’m Canadian and living in Canada, and would like to be able to sell my book in both the USA and Canada.
Cheers,
Peter
No, it does not. The ISBN is accepted globally. We have plenty of authors who have utilized their Canadian issued ISBN (just another great thing your government does for you as an author) and their books are available globally, published through Amazon and IngramsSpark, KDP… no issues.
Thanks for this article, but I seem to be having a problem. I’ve never had an issue with using my Canadian ISBNs from the government until I tried to create paperback versions of my books. KDP seems to only want to accept Bowker ISBNs, and is straight up rejecting the ISBN I have. Any suggestions?
Oh no Alex. I have been having many issues with KDP since CreateSpace fully transitioned, but haven’t heard of rejections yet of Canadian ISBNs. Thanks for bringing this to our attention, and we’ll do some research!
I couldn’t list my book on amazon because they couldn’t find my Canadian obtained isbn on their search bases. I spoke with four or five very helpful amazon representatives, but no luck.
Huh, I’ve never heard of this happening before and we’ve worked with several Canadian authors… that is really unfortunate… I’ll ask Michelle if she knows anything about this.
It was quite a downer. They asked me to send photos of the front, back, barcode, listing on the government database, the printer’s name and invoice. Quite a few emails and phone conversations. They agreed that the book actually does exist, but not on the databases they search.
I might try it again, though. They might have changed their policy since then, regarding which databases they will search. After all it is amazon.ca…
You do need a separate isbn for hardcover and softcover versions of the same book…FYI.
Hello, I publish low content books (planners, journals, etc.) on KDP and I wondered if I am still allowed to use a Canadian ISBN. When you say that we have to send a copy to archives do you mean an electronic copy or a hard copy? Thanks.
Hi Karen,
You’re required to send copies of all the version of your book – electronic and hard copy. If you have specific questions, I’ve found the library archives team to be very good about getting back to me.
This says that I have to send them a copy of my book. What if I’ve only published an e-book? Will a digital file work?
Hi Laina,
Yes, you can send them a digital file.
Wow. Did not know the government did that. I’m in the process of self-publishing my children’s book and I was about to buy an ISBN then I stumbled upon this article. Thanks!:)
If I am choosing a self publishing company but getting my own Canadian ISBN, on the form to fill out on the gov’t website it asks for Publishers name – this would be my name then as self – published? If I put the Publishing company’s name would they own the ISBN?
Hi Lisa – if you’re being published by a publishing company, than you should not need to obtain your own ISBN. I’m not sure what the Canadian form looks like, but I would imagine that it is similar to the US application, in which the Publisher’s name, if you’re self-publishing, is either going to be YOUR name, the name of your business, or the name of the Imprint you’ve decided to create to publish your books. If you are purchasing the ISBN, you own the ISBN, no matter whose name is listed as the publisher, however, once that ISBN goes live, the name and info in it is part of the record (metadata) of the ISBN. But again, you shouldn’t be buying your own ISBN if you’re being published by a publishing company… if they require you to bring your own ISBN than they are a self-publishing assist entity or a vanity press not a publisher.
You said e-book requires a separate ISBN? So do I get one for printed copies, and a completely separate one for ebooks, kindle etc for the same book? Thanks
Yes, I believe the Canadian govt will issue you one for print and one for ebook. it’s not required for ebook on KDP, however, it’s always best to go ahead and have one, and if you decide to put your book on Barnes & Noble, Ingram, or ibooks or anyplace else, you’ll typically need an ISBN for the ebook.
Do I need two ISBNs? One for my ebook and kindle, and a different one for printed copies – of the same book?
correct. Amazon does not require an iSBN for ebooks, but it’s a good idea.
No problem getting two ISBN’s for my Canadian book. But what about barcodes? How do I do that?
Great question. I’m going to write a full post on this. Will link back when it’s ready.
Hi Michelle,
I am creating my own website under the name Laserwray Publishing. Is that the name I should write for ‘Publisher’s name’ on the Canadian ISBN application form and my own name, Michael Wray, as the contact name?
Also, it says on the website that to be eligible for a free ISBN, I must publish from an “official office or business in Canada”. However, I am a self-published writer and I live in Istanbul, Turkey. My sister, who looks after my business affairs, does live in Canada though. What can I do to make this situation right?
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Michael Wray
Thanks so much for this. Super useful!
I have a number of books (more than 10) about the letters of a language, literacy, conversation of that language and grammar books of the Mi’gmaq language.
I do not intend to publish for it is too costly. One book alone has 406 pages.
I have been sharing them through e-mail all throughout Mi’gme’gati (that is in NB, NS, PEI, Newfoundland and the state of Maine in the US.
I would like to have ISBNs for the books I share; or do I not need an ISBN for each book that goes out via e-mail??