As the temperature and the humidity rise, and the air gets harder to breathe, I find myself wanting to stay inside more. It’s like winter, only backwards – I’m looking for the ice inside and avoiding the furnace outside.
Therefore, I’ve been sitting on my ever-spreading derriere for the past couple of days trying to organize my writing. I’ve done some editing, and I’ve started jotting down notes for my next novel. (Yay!) I’ve had a couple of glowing reviews already for my A – Z novelette (which I still need a title for) and I’ve begun to look into the process of self-publishing. …and I have no idea where to start.
I have a couple of questions for anyone out there who has gone before me in this regard.
1. Do you have an ISBN for every piece of work you’ve self-published? If so, publish first or ISBN first?
2. Did you have to apply for rights in every country in which you sell?
I’m sure this is just the tip of the iceberg – actually an iceberg sounds nice right about now. Feel free to shoot me now for all the complaining I did in the winter. I deserve it, I know.
Tell me, how hot is it where you are? Make me feel grateful.
lindaghill.com 
June 25, 2014 at 10:06 pm
Hi Linda. If you scan through my old posts you will find quite a few about my journey on self publishing. I highly recommend you obtain your own block of ISBN numbers for your book(s) In Canada here, they are free (rare bonus) and you are given a block of ten to start with. Each version of ebook (mobi for amazon and epub for all others) plus paperback version, all need their own separate ISBN. Some distributors offer their own ISBN for your book but bear in mind, this will give them the power to list themselves in your books as your publisher. If that doesn’t bother you, then go ahead, but I like to keep my own name on my own work. I can look up the link for you on the government of Canada site if you like. 🙂
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June 25, 2014 at 10:07 pm
Oh, and I forgot to mention in answer to your question, you will need the ISBN ahead of time for when your book is formatted so it can be placed on the copyright page.
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June 25, 2014 at 10:14 pm
Thank you thank you thank you! For the comment after this one as well! 🙂 I have the website already. I was a bit confused about where it asked for the publisher on the form – do I put in my own name if I’m self-publishing?
I’ll take a look through your posts for more info.
Thanks again, D.G. 😀
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June 25, 2014 at 10:34 pm
You are welcome Linda. I know how overwhelming this all is. I spent the better part of last year, reading publications and many authors blogs to learn the ropes. Yes, you are your own publisher. I will scan through my posts and send you links 🙂 Oh and regarding taxes is a whole ‘nother can of worms. If you don’t obtain an EIN number of the U.S. government to fill out the WBEN form for Amazon or the like, you will have 30% withheld from your royalties. With an EIN you get your full royalties and you only have to claim your income on your personal income tax. I learned all about this from reading a huge ongoing tax post on http://www.catherineryanhoward.com blog. She had David Gaughran do a helpful post for non U.S. citizens self publishing. There are probably well over 500 comments and questions on that ongoing post for over 2 years now. I will look for that link if you want. 🙂
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June 25, 2014 at 10:44 pm
The links would be very helpful, thank you. 🙂 I’ll start looking into the EIN number as well. I’ve heard it can take a while to get the exemption.
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June 25, 2014 at 5:02 pm
there’s a discussion on linkedin about ISBNs that just started a couple days ago. https://www.linkedin.com/groups/Ok-its-me-newbee-again-1799488.S.5886660482328203268?view=&gid=1799488&item=5886660482328203268&type=member&trk=eml-ntf-stream-cmt-discussion-i-like-view&midToken=AQEaT38rWsBAiQ&fromEmail=fromEmail&ut=0Tt1CW_UeB_6g1#commentID_null. There is mention of Createspace issuing free ISBN numbers. Another good source of info for indie publishers is http://www.indiesunlimited. I did a little searching on it earlier about ISBNs and found some info regarding them and Kobo. Anyway, good luck.
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June 25, 2014 at 5:06 pm
Thanks so much for this, Jeanne. I’ll have a look! 😀
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June 25, 2014 at 12:42 pm
Go the great ideas! 🙂
It’s getting cold here – it took at while and we had the warmest Autumn on record but now, brrrr!
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June 25, 2014 at 1:36 pm
Okay fine… I’ll stop complaining. 😉
hehe
Thanks, Lee-Anne! 🙂
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June 25, 2014 at 6:52 am
I was given an ISBN through Amazon and Createspace. I have heard that others will make you get it yourself. Smashwords (covering all e-readers besides Kindle) gave them out too. You don’t have to get rights in every country. Good luck.
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June 25, 2014 at 1:26 pm
I’ve found out that Kobo gives you a “dummy” ISBN if you don’t get your own. I wonder how that works then if I get one from them AND one from Kindle/Amazon…? Ah well, that’s why I’m trying out a smaller work to publish first. 😛
Thanks for the info, Charles!
P.S. Do you pay Canadian taxes if you sell a novel in Canada, for instance?
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June 25, 2014 at 2:38 pm
I don’t pay Canadian taxes. I think it works off Amazon being an American company. As for the ISBN, I’m not sure.
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June 25, 2014 at 10:03 pm
Maybe the tax thing is only for the U.S.
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June 25, 2014 at 6:49 am
I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy your writing! I got a kick of how you described summer in this post as being “like winter, only backwards – I’m looking for the ice inside and avoiding the furnace outside.” So well-written, with clarity and humor — love it!
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June 25, 2014 at 1:19 pm
Thank you so much for you kind words. 🙂 I see everything as practice for writing novels!
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June 25, 2014 at 2:54 am
You need to ask for an ISBN before publishing and write that inside your book. Maybe you also have a national library in Canada as would like to receive a copy of your book to show for the future history. They have in Denmark, when I published.
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June 25, 2014 at 1:17 pm
Oooh, I should check that out. Thanks for the suggestion, Irene. 🙂
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June 25, 2014 at 2:54 pm
You are welcome Linda. I don’t know if the rules are equal all over but maybe they are 🙂
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June 24, 2014 at 11:39 pm
The heat + humidity is slowly rising here and I have to walk minimum of 1Km a day to get to my nearest station. oh sorry I have no idea about self-publishing ;(
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June 25, 2014 at 1:16 pm
Is the rainy season in full swing as well yet? I feel for you. I walk about 2km every day for my paper route.
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June 24, 2014 at 9:58 pm
Don’t know—FriesenPress.com handled all of mine, different ISBN’s for e-book, paperback, and hard cover. Apology for not ante’ing up with the novelette, it’s been busy.
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June 24, 2014 at 10:01 pm
That’s okay. I’m still planning to shove my novel down your throat when it’s finished …. I mean inquire politely whether you would care to read my novel when I’ve finished editing it.
*bats eyelashes*
Three different ISBNs, eh? The plot thickens.
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June 24, 2014 at 9:24 pm
Hi, you have a new follower in me as of today. You are extremely talented. I too am looking into self publishing and am trying to figure out where to start. Oh, by the way, it was 90 degrees today where I am. Hope that makes you feel a little better!
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June 24, 2014 at 9:44 pm
Thank you so much for the follow and for your kind words 🙂 Best of luck with the self-publishing. It’s a maze, that’s for sure!
It’s only 86 here, so I feel better – thanks!
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June 24, 2014 at 9:22 pm
If I can self publish, you can too. Although after a couple of books, I think I’m smarter now than I was. There are some really good books on self publishing. But I just followed all the steps at Createspace and amazon kdp. Good luck
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June 24, 2014 at 9:42 pm
Do you have an ISBN though? I’ll look up the two websites, though being in Canada, I’m not sure I don’t have to apply for tax exemptions in the U.S. before I start selling there.
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June 24, 2014 at 9:44 pm
The isbn is assigned when you start your process.
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June 24, 2014 at 9:45 pm
Ah, okay. It isn’t with Kobo, from what I can tell. Their site guided me to the International ISBN site.
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June 24, 2014 at 9:46 pm
I recommend a tutorial or book about self publishing.
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June 24, 2014 at 9:49 pm
Good idea. Thanks 🙂
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June 24, 2014 at 9:22 pm
I was in Guatemala. It was 90s and about 100% humidity. Around 2pm it as always 100% humidity – it rained. And we were building a house in this. And digging ditches.
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June 24, 2014 at 9:41 pm
I’m sure it was greatly appreciated – that much more for the conditions. I feel better now, thanks 🙂
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June 24, 2014 at 9:14 pm
We just started getting rains. So it’s a little better here. But that’s because this place has a good weather compared to rest always. But otherwise it’s pretty much hot. Some places recorded 44 degrees Celsius and more.
And all the best for the novelette Linda.
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June 24, 2014 at 9:39 pm
Thanks KG, for the wishes and for the temperature. it’s only 32C with the humidity here 🙂 It is raining though.
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