All About ISBNs and More with Carla King
Free Online Event
Monday, August 31 • 12 PM – 1 PM PDT
Reserve a Spot
Overview
Join us as Carla King shares a professional insider’s overview of ISBNs, PCNs, LCCNs, PCIP blocks, MARC records, BISAC codes, and barcodes.
One of the biggest mistakes independent authors make is using free ISBNs—and they often discover what that decision actually costs them only after the book is published.
Buy your own ISBNs and you—not a publishing platform—control the publisher identity attached to your book. Use a free ISBN, and the consequences can cascade.
This session covers:
- What an ISBN actually identifies, and how to read one
- Who uses ISBN metadata, and why it matters
- Free ISBNs: Learn what you’re giving up and what happens when you change platforms
- Why you need to buy ISBNs in blocks of 10 or more
- Why U.S. publishers should purchase ISBNs only from Bowker
- How to correctly complete the four pages of a Bowker ISBN record
- How to clone, update, replace, or retire title records
- BISAC subject codes and discoverability
- ISBNs, barcodes, and embedded prices
- Why and how to get an LCCN through the PCN program
- Why and how to get a PCIP block and MARC record
This session is for independent authors and the publishing professionals who love them. Don’t let your authors make mistakes they can’t easily undo. Help them buy, register, and file it right the first time, before a shortcut quietly limits their book’s reach, portability, and professional identity.
Carla King began her career as a Silicon Valley technical writer before moving into travel technology journalism, blogging, and publishing education. When self-publishing tech emerged, she wrote a PBS column on the topic. She has self-published three motorcycle adventure memoirs and five guides to professional self-publishing, including The Publishing Workbook for Independent Authors: Your Step-by-Step Guide and Activity Tracker to Professional Book Publishing, Marketing & Promotion. Get her no-nonsense publishing advice at carlaking.com.
Author
One of my favorite things about BAIPA is its culture of generosity, the willingness — even eagerness — to share what we have each learned in the process of bringing stories to life. We provide educational programs, networking, marketing opportunities, encouragement, and information on industry vendors and services. And lots of one-on-one advice and mentoring.
We welcome all who have an interest in making connections within the world of independent publishing and learning more about how to publish and sell their work successfully. Together we are raising the standard of independent publishing and helping our members thrive.
Do join us!
—Becky Parker Geist, BAIPA Board of Directors, President
Quick Resources
Current BAIPA members do not need to register for our monthly meetings. The night before the meetings, they will receive the Zoom info. For workshop registration, currently, members get in free for all workshops and will receive the Zoom info the night before the meetings, as well as in the confirmation email.