ISBN, ASIN & External Identifiers
How to add external book identifiers (ISBN, ASIN, etc.) to your BookAuth listings for cross-platform reference and professional credibility.
External identifiers like ISBNs and ASINs help readers, retailers, and libraries identify your book across platforms. While BookAuth generates its own internal identifiers, adding external IDs improves professionalism and cross-platform discoverability.
What You'll Learn
- What ISBN, ASIN, and other identifiers are
- How to add them to your BookAuth listings
- Whether you need an ISBN
- Where to get ISBNs
Understanding Identifiers
| Identifier | Full Name | Issued By | Required? |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISBN-13 | International Standard Book Number | Bowker (US), national agencies | Optional |
| ISBN-10 | Legacy Book Number | Legacy system | Optional |
| ASIN | Amazon Standard Identification Number | Amazon | Only for Amazon listings |
| BookAuth ID | Internal identifier | BookAuth (auto-generated) | Auto-generated |
ISBN (International Standard Book Number)
- A globally unique 13-digit identifier for books
- Required by: most bookstores, libraries, print-on-demand services
- Not required by BookAuth for digital-only books
- Each format needs its own ISBN: paperback, hardcover, ePub, and audiobook each get separate ISBNs
ASIN (Amazon Standard Identification Number)
- Amazon's 10-character identifier for products
- Automatically assigned when you publish on Amazon
- Format: 10 alphanumeric characters (e.g., B08N5WRWNW)
- Useful for cross-referencing between BookAuth and Amazon
Adding Identifiers to Your Book
- Navigate to Content > My Books
- Open the book editor
- Scroll to the "Identifiers" section
- Enter your identifiers:
- ISBN-13 — 13-digit number (e.g., 978-0-123456-78-9)
- ISBN-10 — 10-digit number (legacy, automatically derived from ISBN-13)
- ASIN — 10-character Amazon identifier
- Click "Save"
Identifiers appear on the book detail page in the "Details" section, displayed to readers for reference.
Do You Need an ISBN?
You Need an ISBN If:
- You plan to distribute through bookstores or libraries
- You want to sell print copies through IngramSpark of similar services
- You want maximum professional credibility
- Your publisher or distributor requires one
You Don't Need an ISBN If:
- You're only selling digital books through BookAuth
- Your book is Amazon-exclusive (ASIN is sufficient)
- You're just starting out and keeping costs low
BookAuth does not require an ISBN. Your book gets a unique BookAuth ID automatically, which is sufficient for all platform features.
Where to Get ISBNs
United States
- Bowker/MyIdentifiers — myidentifiers.com
- Single ISBN: ~$125
- Block of 10: ~$295 (best value for serious authors)
- Block of 100: ~$575
United Kingdom
- Nielsen — nielsenbookdata.co.uk/isbn-agency
- Pricing varies
Canada
- Library and Archives Canada — Free ISBNs for Canadian publishers
- bac-lac.gc.ca/eng/services/isbn-canada
Other Countries
- Each country has a national ISBN agency
- Some offer free ISBNs to registered publishers
Pro Tip: If you plan to publish more than 2-3 books, buy a block of 10 ISBNs — the per-unit cost drops significantly. Each format (ePub, paperback, hardcover) requires its own ISBN, so a single book can use 2-4 ISBNs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use my KDP (Kindle Direct Publishing) free ISBN on BookAuth?
A: KDP's free ISBNs are only valid for Amazon distribution. For BookAuth, use your own purchased ISBN or skip it entirely.
Q: Does changing my ASIN or ISBN affect my BookAuth listing?
A: No. These identifiers are reference fields only — they don't affect your book's URL, searchability, or functionality on BookAuth.
Q: Can I add identifiers after publishing?
A: Yes. External identifiers can be added or updated at any time without affecting the book's status.
Related Articles
- Uploading Your First Book
- Managing Book Metadata & Details
- Importing Books from Amazon