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An ISBN (International Standard Book Number) is a controlled, 10- or 13-digit identification number allowing publishers, libraries, and book dealers to locate books. Having an ISBN means that your book will appear in bibliographic databases. Booksellers go to these databases to help them locate the publisher of a book so they can order it.

An ISBN is like a zip code for a book. The first five digits of the ISBN identify the book's publisher; no two publishers have the same ISBN prefix. This "zip code" tells bookstores and online retailers where they can order a book. If you purchase Published by Lulu to obtain an ISBN, the ISBN will include Lulu's ISBN prefix and Lulu will be listed as the publisher of record. If you purchase Published by You to obtain an ISBN, you will be able to register as the official publisher. For more information on the history and purpose of ISBNs, see http://www.isbn.org.

Last updated: 2008-08-20 11:14:13 | Back to top

An ISBN is not needed to publish on Lulu.

To have a book distributed outside of Lulu and entered into the book industry commerce chain, an ISBN is needed. Each version of a book — paperback, hardcover, second edition — must have a different ISBN. A unique ISBN that distinguishes between different versions of a book, helps customers will always be sure that they are ordering the book they want.

For information on how to obtain an ISBN, see the Distribution FAQ. For more information on ISBNs and how they work, visit the U.S. ISBN Agency’s FAQs.

ISBNs are not for serial publications (magazines, journals, etc.) If you are publishing a recurring product (for example, a monthly literary journal), consider getting an ISSN (International Standard Serial Number). ISSNs are for any printed, electronic, or Web material that is produced as an ongoing product. For more information, see Can I get an ISBN for my periodical publication (magazine, etc.)?

Last updated: 2008-08-20 11:14:06 | Back to top

As of January 1, 2007, all book and book-related products must carry 13-digit ISBNs. Lulu now issues a 13-digit ISBN with each Distribution Service purchase. These books will have the 13-digit ISBN with hyphenations above the bar code and the identical 13-digit EAN (European American Number) without hyphens or spaces below the bar code.

All ISBNs that were initially issued with 10 digits will not change. They will be supported indefinitely in retail distribution channels, but they will also have a corresponding 13-digit ISBN. To create this corresponding 13-digit ISBN, the 3-digit EAN prefix "978" will be added to the 10-digit ISBN, and its check digit (the last digit) will change. For example, a Lulu ISBN will go from 1-4116-1234-5 to 978-1-4116-1234-1. (Would you like to calculate your 13-digit ISBN?)

Bar codes for 10-digit ISBNs will not change. They will still carry the original 10-digit ISBN with hyphenations above the bar code and the 13-digit EAN without hyphens or spaces below the bar code. As each ISBN agency exhausts its supply of 10-digit ISBNs in various prefix ranges, the International ISBN Agency will issue complete 13-digit ISBNs carrying the new EAN prefix "979". The EAN prefix "979" cannot be used on existing 10-digit ISBNs.

Important information on the implementation and guidelines of the 13-digit ISBN can be found on the International ISBN Agency site: http://www.isbn.org/standards/home/isbn/transition.asp

Last updated: 2008-08-20 11:14:08 | Back to top

Distribution for hardcovers is now available! ISBNs are only for books and are not available for CDs, DVDs or calendars. We are working on an expanded distribution program for CDs and DVDs with UPC codes. We hope to be able to offer this in the future, but it is not available at this time.

Last updated: 2008-08-20 11:14:38 | Back to top

If you have not yet approved your book for a Distribution Service, you can revise your book as long as it stays within the specifications for distribution. After your book is published and approved, you might find errors that you need to change. In many cases, you can change the book (re-publish it) without losing the ISBN. This depends on the type of changes you want to make and which service you purchased. In order to keep your ISBN

• You cannot change the title.
• You cannot change the binding type.
• You cannot change the trim size.
• You cannot change the interior color.

It is recommended that you create a new project and purchase a new ISBN if the changes you are making would be considered a new edition of the title. Ultimately, it is up to you to decide what would be a new edition. If you make the following types of major changes, it is considered a new edition:

• Adding, removing or moving text
• Adding or removing chapters or an index
• Changing the sequence of chapters
• Dramatically changing your cover design

Consider this question: Will your changes make this book different from what you first published? If you find the answer is yes, then it is advised that you create a new project and have a new ISBN assigned.

PLEASE NOTE - IT MAY TAKE SEVERAL WEEKS BEFORE YOUR BOOK'S INFORMATION CHANGES WITH BOOKSELLERS AND THE SUPPLY CHAIN. LULU CANNOT BE HELD RESPONSIBLE FOR REVISED DATA NOT BEING ADOPTED OR CORRECTED WITHIN THE BOOK INDUSTRY.

Basic Distribution: If you purchased Basic Distribution prior to June 14, 2006, you can create a new revision. For more information, read How do I revise my published book, change something, correct an error, replace the cover art, etc?

Published by Lulu and Published by You Distribution:

• If you approved your book and you want to revise the content and republish, you must pay for a Revision. Go to your Project List and click the Revise icon next to your book title. Click the PURCHASE REVISION button at the bottom of the Project Details page. For more information see How do I make changes after approving my book?
  IMPORTANT: Although you can click Revise next to the title to make changes, this only creates a new revision your book on Lulu, not in the expanded distribution channels.
• If you have not approved the book, you can create a new revision and transfer your ISBN. In your Project List, click Approve/Deny Book next to the book title, then click RE-ASSIGN ISBN. On the Reassign ISBN page, click ASSIGN TO NEW EDITION. Lulu creates a new revision of your book and reassigns the ISBN to it. TIP: If you find errors in your book, DO NOT approve it. For more information see How do I make changes before approving my book?

Last updated: 2008-08-20 11:14:13 | Back to top

No. If you are publishing a recurring product (for example, a monthly literary journal), consider getting an ISSN (International Standard Serial Number). ISSNs are free! An ISSN is an eight-digit number that uniquely identifies your periodical. Unlike ISBNs, which contain country and publisher prefixes, the ISSN simply identifies the periodical (not the publisher from whom it is available).

An ISSN distinguishes a particular periodical from others with which it might be confused. The ISSN also helps library patrons, libraries, and others who handle large numbers of periodicals to find and identify titles in automated systems more quickly and easily. In the US, ISSNs are administered by the National Serials Data Program (NSDP) of the Library of Congress. According to their site (http://www.loc.gov/issn), periodicals, or serials, are:

"...print or non-print publications issued in parts, usually bearing issue numbers and/or dates. A serial is expected to continue indefinitely. Serials include magazines, newspapers, annuals (such as reports, yearbooks, and directories), journals, memoirs, proceedings, transactions of societies, and monographic series."
If this description sounds like what you are publishing, apply for an ISSN.

ISSNs are assigned by a network of over 60 centers worldwide coordinated by the ISSN International Centre located in Paris. For more information, see:

• US publications: United States ISSN Center
• Serials published outside of the US: the ISSN International Centre can refer you to the national center in your country of publication.

A separate ISSN is required for each medium; that is, if your periodical is available in both Download and Print formats, you will need a separate ISSN for each distribution format. After you get your ISSN, you should add it to your periodical. Unlike ISBNs, where Lulu adds the barcode to your back cover, ISSNs are your responsibility. Insert the ISSN in your source file before uploading and publishing. Suggested locations:

• Printed publication: the preferred location is the upper right-hand corner of the cover. You can also add it to the masthead area, copyright page, or in the publishing statement (where you identify publisher, frequency, etc.).
• Non-print publication: on an internal location, such as the title screen or home page.

Last updated: 2008-08-20 11:14:13 | Back to top