ISBN, Copyright and Book Formatting: What Every Author Needs

To get an ISBN in the United States, buy one from Bowker at MyIdentifiers.com, where a single ISBN costs $125 and a block of ten costs $295. Amazon KDP offers free ISBNs for books sold through its platform. Copyright is automatic when you create the work, and formatting prepares the interior for print and ebook.

How to Get an ISBN

An ISBN is the identifier that lets retailers and libraries track your book. In the United States, Bowker is the official source, through its MyIdentifiers.com platform. Pricing works as follows:

Option	Cost	Best for
Single ISBN	$125	One book in one format
Block of 10	$295 ($29.50 each)	Multiple formats or several books
Free KDP ISBN	$0	Amazon-only distribution

 You need a separate ISBN for each format, so a paperback, ebook, and audiobook use three. A block of ten is the economical choice for most authors planning more than one format or book. Amazon KDP provides a free ISBN, though it lists a platform imprint as publisher of record, which some authors prefer to avoid.

Do You Need an ISBN to Self-Publish?

It depends on the platform. A Kindle ebook sold on Amazon uses an internal identifier and needs no ISBN. A print book or wide distribution across other retailers does require one. If you want your own imprint listed as publisher of record, buy your ISBN from Bowker rather than taking the free platform option.

Protecting Your Copyright

Copyright protection begins automatically the moment you create your work, so your book is protected as soon as it exists in fixed form. Registration is optional and adds legal strength. In the United States, registering one work as a single author through the Copyright Office typically costs around $45 to $65. Check copyright.gov for current fees, since they change over time.

Publisher of record and copyright owner are separate things. Whoever appears as publisher of record on an ISBN, you retain full copyright and ownership of your book.

Formatting Your Book

Formatting sets your manuscript for each format. Ebook formatting creates reflowable files that adapt to any screen, while print formatting fixes the interior layout, margins, and typography for a fixed page size. Professional formatting produces clean files that meet each platform's technical requirements and read well for the reader.

These steps carry costs worth planning for. See our guide to how much it costs to publish a book in 2026 for the full picture.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an ISBN to self-publish?

Not for a Kindle ebook on Amazon, which uses an internal identifier. You do need one for print books and for distribution across other retailers.

How much does an ISBN cost?

In the United States, a single ISBN from Bowker costs $125 and a block of ten costs $295. Amazon KDP offers a free ISBN for its own platform.

Want the Technical Setup Handled for You?

Novella Publishers manages ISBNs, formatting, and publishing setup so your book meets every requirement. Get setup support.

For the full process overview, read the book publishing process explained.