New to self-publishing

[msweeten]

I have a small book I would like to at least publish a few copies for some friends. It would be nice to sell a few copies as well. I may try to sell it as an e-book as well. I'm currently looking at CreateSpace.

What type of isbn do I need?
Should I consider someone other than createspace?
Any suggestions would be great. I am new to this and don't want to be taken advantage of.

[kfount]

Originally Posted by msweeten

I have a small book I would like to at least publish a few copies for some friends. It would be nice to sell a few copies as well. I may try to sell it as an e-book as well. I'm currently looking at CreateSpace.

What type of isbn do I need?
Should I consider someone other than createspace?
Any suggestions would be great. I am new to this and don't want to be taken advantage of.

Createspace will provide your ISBN if you don't already have one.

As far as other providers, Createspace is one of the best because your book automatically gets showcased in Amazon. Of course, you could also try to get "regular" publishers to pick up, but that's a long shot for beginning authors.

I think you're better off putting your book up on Createspace and using regular Internet marketing to promote it. Then when you write your next book, you can point to the success of your first when writing your query letter.

[Jenna P]

I would also put it as an ebook on Smashwords. Smashwords will then review it and if they approve it (very minimal requirements) will distribute it to Barnes & Noble and iTunes as well as a couple of others. Supposedly Kobo, but there are some technical problems there. Smashwords will also provide an ISBN.

If you only ever plan on publishing a few books, then get your ISBNs from the distributors as you can only buy them in blocks of ten at a cost of $275. Worth it if you want to be serious about self-publishing as it causes you to show up as the publisher in all the catalogues. Not so much if you only want to put out a book here and there.

[SonrisaSola]

I've self-published 2 books with CreateSpace, and I've been very pleased. The quality is good, and I like having them available on Amazon -- I think it makes everything look more professional. You also have the option of being part of the Expanded Distribution Channel, which means bookstores and libraries can buy them to carry them. By being part of the EDC, the book also becomes available on Barnes & Noble's website after a few weeks -- another bonus.

Of course if you want to make your books successful, the key is in the marketing. I must admit I'm lacking thus far in that. But sky's the limit if you decide to go for it!

[SonrisaSola]

Forgot to mention -- I also have my books available as ebooks through Kindle and Smashwords. I've been pleased with both of those, too.

For both my paper copies and my ebooks, I've used the IBSNs provided by the company.

[msweeten]

I do need to mention that I would like the book to be spiral bound... so it can be written in.

[Jenna P]

CreateSpace ONLY does perfect bound. If you really want spiral bound, then you will have to go with Lulu, which has less distribution. It all depends on what's important to you.