Do I need an ISBN and how do I get one?

If you’re publishing professionally, the answer is yes—you need an ISBN.

It’s your book’s official identity: the number retailers, libraries, and distributors use to track and catalogue your title.

You can publish with a free Amazon-assigned ISBN, and it’s a perfectly valid option if you plan to sell exclusively on Amazon.

If you choose that route, we can absolutely help you register and set everything up correctly.

But… If you want full ownership of your publishing imprint, wider distribution, and the ability to sell on multiple platforms (bookstores, libraries, or through global retailers), you’ll want to own your ISBN.

Owning your ISBN gives you:

• Full control of your publishing imprint

• Freedom to distribute everywhere

• Professional credibility

• Long-term flexibility as your brand grows

So, how do you get one? You register it through your country’s ISBN agency.

Both are correct. It just depends on your publishing goals.

At Prose Publishing, we handle all ISBN registration for you, whether you’re using a personal imprint or publishing through Amazon. Editing, formatting, design, publishing setup, and our bestseller guarantee are all included.

Message us today and let’s get your book published with clarity, authority, and confidence.