ISBN for Self Publishers in India
ISBN stands for International Standard Book Number, a unique code that can be assigned to a book.
While an ISBN is not required to publish a book, it is a good idea to get one for your book, specially if you want to sell it through standard book distribution channel. For selling it only through Pothi.com, you do not need to have an ISBN.
ISBNs are allotted to publishers. Books on Pothi.com are usually published by the authors or their relatives individually. Earlier ISBNs were allotted only in blocks. But the good news for self-publishers is that now individual ISBNs can be allotted to the self-publishers too.
What more - Getting an ISBN in India is free. You need to send an application to Raja Rammohan Roy National Agency for ISBN. The following details should be included in the application:
- Title of Book:
- Author:
- Publisher: Self-Published
- Year of Publication:
- Place of Publication:
- Pages:
- Price:
- Subject:
- Language:
- Paperback or Hardback:
- Your address for communication
You also need to enclose the following:
- Photocopy of the cover page
- Identification Proof
- A self addressed envelop for return communication
Important Points:
- Price: It is better if you put your price higher than that on Pothi.com (a mark-up of 40-60%). The reason being that when sold through other channels, the prices would usually have to be high to accommodate the margins for intermediaries.
- Hardback/Paperback: If a book is published in hardback as well as paperback, two different ISBNs need to be taken for the same. So, be clear about which version you want the ISBN for.
The application should be sent to the following address:
Raja Rammohan Roy National Agency for ISBN
Government of India
Ministry of Human Resource Development
A2/W4, Curzon Road Barracks
Kasturba Gandhi Marg
New Delhi: 110001
Phone: +91-11-23384687
Before you start using ISBN, please check out all the relevant information here.
Please note that we have tried to provide the information as accurately as possible. However, we do not take responsibility of any omissions or mistakes that might have come in. This article is provided for informational purposes only. For any legal issues, please consult a qualified professional.
Comments
Regarding ISBN
I'm planning to publish one book of poetry through pothi.com. Going through all these details, I've got certain points in my mind -
Whether before publishing it has to be acquired from the said agency or it can be done afterward i.e. after the book is published.
If it can be done after the book being published, then suppose I get it, how this ISBN can be printed on the book?
I shall be glad if my points are clarified.
Regards,
Gautam Sen
ISBN to my Book "How to Avoid Tension and Achieve Peace in Life"
1.The subject book has been alloted ISBN (10 & 13 digits) when it was published by Create Space .Com, a member of Amazon group. This ISBN was arranged by the publisher without any application from me.
2.In India, as mentioned in Pothi.Com needs an application from the Author with Book details.There is no system of On line application. I have to send my application by snail mail( by post).
3.I would like to request Pothi. Com to take proactive initiative to arrange for ISBN for every book published from Pothi.Com
4. This will help the writer to be grateful and obliged to the publisher.
Thanks,
pritis C majumdar
Author of "How to Avoid Tension and Achieve Peace in Life"
System in India is different
Each country has its own ISBN agency and hence the systems in different countries are different. In India it is a government agency which issues ISBN and Pothi.com has no say in the working there. So, it is not Pothi.com that needs an application through snail mail, but the agency.
Further only a publisher can taken an ISBN. Since author is the publisher of the books published through Pothi.com, we can not taken an ISBN on the author's behalf. They need to sign and send their applications.
Regards
Jaya