Membership Packages

Two packages. Each is a one-off payment — no subscription, no renewal fees.

The only difference between them is the barcode.

• Printing your book? You need Option 1. Paperbacks and hardbacks need a scannable barcode on the back cover.
• Publishing an e-book? Option 2 is all you need. Nothing gets scanned at a till, so there’s no barcode to print.

Publishing in both formats? You need one ISBN per format, so order one of each.

Both options: “Independent Publishing Network” is listed as your publisher on Nielsen, and this can’t be changed. Copyright and all rights stay with you. Please read this before you order.

Selling e-books through a platform? You may be asked for an ONIX metadata file. If your software can’t produce one, we can create it for you.

 

 

The Essentials Before You Buy

Who can join

You must live in the UK or Ireland. If you’re elsewhere, your national ISBN agency will issue your numbers. Find yours via the International ISBN Agency.

How many ISBNs

One per format. A paperback, hardback, ePUB and PDF of the same book need four different ISBNs. A new or revised edition needs its own ISBN too; a straight reprint doesn’t.

Do I need barcode images?

Yes, if your book is physical (paperback or hardback) because retailers scan the barcode at the till. E-books don’t need one, though the ISBN itself still must appear in the front matter. Already printed without a barcode? You don’t need to reprint; you can order self-adhesive barcode labels instead.

What registration does

Registering with Nielsen sends your title’s details to UK bookshops, libraries and distributors, as well as Nielsen’s international data customers. If it isn’t listed, shops can’t find or order it. Registered titles are also automatically listed on Amazon, so skip registration if you’d rather not appear there.

Publisher name

All our ISBNs list “Independent Publishing Network” as the publisher, and this can’t be changed. Use the same name if you’re asked for an imprint. It makes no difference to self-publishing, but a traditional publisher may later require an ISBN under their own imprint. You can list yourself, or a distributor, on our registration form.

Who supplies the book?

We issue ISBNs, barcodes and registration. We don’t hold stock, take orders or distribute. Unless you appoint a distributor, orders from readers and bookshops come to you. How selling and fulfilment works.

Where our ISBNs are accepted

Our members use them with Waterstones, Foyles, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, AbeBooks and many more. Policies change, so check with your own bookseller or distributor first.

Legal deposit (all UK publications)

Send one free copy to the British Library within a month of publishing; this applies to e-books as well as print. E-books are deposited as a zipped archive containing the file itself plus an ONIX metadata file; if your publishing software can’t export ONIX, we can create it for you for £5. Five further deposit libraries may request copies through the Agency for Legal Deposit Libraries within 12 months; if that happens, we’ll forward the request to you. Legal deposit details

 

Important Information – What you need to know before you buy

 

Other information:

FAQ Page.

“How to Use your ISBN” page.