The International Standard Book Numbers, also known as ISBN, is a numeric identifier for published works such as books and magazines. It's rare for any publication to exist without one, especially those sold in stores. At first, the numbers were only 10 digits long. However, as of 2007, any book published will use the longer, 13 digit code. These numbers allow books to be placed with Baker & Taylor, one of the largest distribution channels. This doesn't mean the book will be available in stores, but the information is there should stores choose to order a handful of copies. Some of the information linked to an ISBN include the author, title and publisher. You can purchase a single ISBN for $125 from Bowker at Myidentifiers.com.
A bar code, as seen on most products, is a form of data that can be scanned by computers to obtain things such as sales information. Those used for books are known as Bookland EAN bar codes. These bar codes are the international standard to identify items such as books, videos and music. Like ISBNs, the EAN bar code consists of 13 digits. The last five digits are used to find the price of a product. The first digit among those five is to indicate the currency such as US dollars or pounds. You can purchase between one and five bar codes directly from Bowker.com for $25 apiece.
In the world of self-publishing hard copy books, there are two kinds of printers available. These printers are offset and digital. An offset printer in most cases will offer a better looking finished product and offer more options such as interior cream or white pages. Offset printers will also require a print run of approximately 500 books before offering their services. This is a great option for authors with an established customer base, especially if you can get pre-orders to help cover the printing costs. To locate an offset printer, check with your local colleges or print shops. However, for those just looking to print a handful of copies or one book at a time, digital printers such as Lulu.com, Createspace.com and Lightningsource.com will suffice. The printer you choose will decide the price of the finished product. In most cases, it's cheaper to print in bulk by using an offset printer if you can afford it. The printer one uses will depend on individual needs, marketing and existing platform or audience.
Distribution, how books are made available to buyers, is important for any published work. One of the largest distribution channels is Baker & Taylor. When shopping around for printers, it's a good idea to ask about distribution as well as how and where your book will be listed. For example, Createspace.com offers an extended distribution by getting books listed in places such as Barnes & Noble. However, to get listed in Baker & Taylor, the catalog most stores purchase their inventory from, you'll have to go through Lightningsource.com or try contacting the company yourself. One thing to keep in mind is even though your book may be listed in the larger distribution channels, they aren't guaranteed to be stocked in stores. Getting a book stocked is up to the author and their readers. Should you want to get your self-published book placed in stores or take part in book signings for places such as Borders or Barnes & Noble, you'll have to contact their individual corporate offices.