Free ISBNs vs. Paid ISBNs: What New Authors MUST Know

Are you wondering whether you should buy your own ISBNs or just use the free ones from Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) and IngramSpark? In this episode of The Writing Lab with Eva Pohler, I break down the pros and cons of free ISBNs versus purchased ISBNs—so you can make the smartest choice for your author career.

I also share my personal experience. When I first started self-publishing, I used the free ISBNs from KDP because my budget was tight. Later, after publishing over twenty titles, I bought a batch of ISBNs from Bowker, republished my paperbacks and hardbacks at IngramSpark, and turned off global distribution in KDP so that IngramSpark could handle expanded distribution.

In this video, you’ll learn:
✔️ What ISBNs are and why they matter
✔️ When free ISBNs are perfectly fine
✔️ When buying your own ISBNs becomes essential
✔️ How ISBN ownership affects distribution, metadata, and professionalism
✔️ Why experienced indie authors often choose their own ISBNs
✔️ How I transitioned from free ISBNs to a batch purchase
✔️ How KDP and IngramSpark handle global distribution differently

Whether you're a brand-new writer or ready to level-up your author business, this guide will help you understand the best ISBN strategy for your publishing goals.

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