Comments on: Bowker’s Andy Weissberg on ISBNs and the Future of the Book http://www.thebookdesigner.com/2010/05/bowkers-andy-weissberg-on-isbns-and-the-future-of-the-book/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=bowkers-andy-weissberg-on-isbns-and-the-future-of-the-book Practical Advice to Help Self-Publishers Build Better Books Wed, 08 Feb 2012 22:27:46 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: ISBN 101 For Self-Publishers — The Book Designer http://www.thebookdesigner.com/2010/05/bowkers-andy-weissberg-on-isbns-and-the-future-of-the-book/#comment-6828 ISBN 101 For Self-Publishers — The Book Designer Fri, 19 Nov 2010 08:03:30 +0000 http://www.thebookdesigner.com/?p=6416#comment-6828 [...] However, the price Bowker set for individual identifiers (currently $125) has shocked many new publishers. (You can read an explanation of why the cost is so high in the interview I did with Andy Weissberg). [...] [...] However, the price Bowker set for individual identifiers (currently $125) has shocked many new publishers. (You can read an explanation of why the cost is so high in the interview I did with Andy Weissberg). [...]

]]> By: Writing and Publishing News for May 11th through June 14th | The Author-izer http://www.thebookdesigner.com/2010/05/bowkers-andy-weissberg-on-isbns-and-the-future-of-the-book/#comment-3637 Writing and Publishing News for May 11th through June 14th | The Author-izer Tue, 15 Jun 2010 00:01:51 +0000 http://www.thebookdesigner.com/?p=6416#comment-3637 [...] Bowker’s Andy Weissberg on ISBNs and the Future of the Book — The Book Designer – [...] [...] Bowker’s Andy Weissberg on ISBNs and the Future of the Book — The Book Designer – [...]

]]> By: Dan Holloway http://www.thebookdesigner.com/2010/05/bowkers-andy-weissberg-on-isbns-and-the-future-of-the-book/#comment-2801 Dan Holloway Fri, 21 May 2010 20:41:26 +0000 http://www.thebookdesigner.com/?p=6416#comment-2801 Joel, this is fascinating stuff. I think the key part that needs emphasising is that bit about the Kindle. ISBNs are - currently - essential for self-publishers of books that they want people to stumble across on Amazon, but - to be quite honest - that is about it. Many of us self-publishers take the view that the key to long-term success doing it our own way has to be building a loyal following who will stay with us book after book, and talking directly to that audience. Stumblers are great but they're not our core. If we are speaking to fans, and those fans are loyal, then we just don't need an ISBN - and the more alt/indie the titles one produces the more NOT having an ISBN adds cachet - many of my readers would walk away if they found me on Amazon. The publishing industry is full of protectionism, cartels and restricted practices. The use of ISBNs is just one. Is anyone actually seriously suggesting we will be using ISBNs in 10 years' time? Joel, this is fascinating stuff. I think the key part that needs emphasising is that bit about the Kindle. ISBNs are – currently – essential for self-publishers of books that they want people to stumble across on Amazon, but – to be quite honest – that is about it. Many of us self-publishers take the view that the key to long-term success doing it our own way has to be building a loyal following who will stay with us book after book, and talking directly to that audience. Stumblers are great but they’re not our core. If we are speaking to fans, and those fans are loyal, then we just don’t need an ISBN – and the more alt/indie the titles one produces the more NOT having an ISBN adds cachet – many of my readers would walk away if they found me on Amazon.

The publishing industry is full of protectionism, cartels and restricted practices. The use of ISBNs is just one. Is anyone actually seriously suggesting we will be using ISBNs in 10 years’ time?

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