[image: a-barcode-not-an-isbn]Another good article at Dave Bricker’s site about what self-publishing really means.
Also the beginnings of a conversation in the comment section about free ISBNs.
After I used up the 10 I bought from Bowker, I started using the free ISBNs CreateSpace offers. I don’t care who the publisher of record is. I care who’s credited with the intellectual property (and the payments.)
Other authors have tried to convince me that owning your ISBNs is the only professional route.
Until now, that’s been the whole argument: it looks more professional. Leaving off the rest of the sentence: to other authors. I don’t sell to authors, I sell to readers. Argument over.
Except, Dave makes some points we’re working through. Interesting points that have me thinking.
Some functions are hygienic: just as you don’t notice when someone has taken a shower, you don’t notice if windows are clean, you don’t notice if a musical instrument is in tune, and you don’t notice if a book’s interior is properly designed.
In between are various levels of self-publishing, defined to some extent by the balance of responsibility and risk shared by the publisher and the author. Understanding those differences is vital to your success. When I was asked the question in the title the first part of the answer was getting our definitions straight.![[image: a-barcode-not-an-isbn]](http://images.freeimages.com/images/previews/4c1/texture-beercan-1483337.jpg){kind=link}