Description

Perfect for entrepreneurs who need an ISBN plus guidance on setting up their publishing platforms.

This package provides the foundational elements you need to publish professionally while keeping full control over your book.

What’s Included:

• ISBN registration under Unscrewed Publishing imprint
  • Includes ONE ISBN for paperback version.  Additional ISBNs for hardback and ebook available as an addon.  Note that each of these formats is required to have its own ISBN. This isn’t our requirement but the distributors’.
  • Writing a fiction book instead? You can choose to have the ISBN registration through our fiction imprint, Fractured Ink Press.
• Price-specific barcode (required by bookstores, libraries and others). Not all publishers include this.
• Metadata setup for proper bookstore and library categorization
• Publishing guidance: Step-by-step instructions for setting up your own accounts on:
  • Amazon KDP
  • IngramSpark (Print books).
    • Note, using your own personal IngramSpark account requires purchasing your own ISBN ($125 through Bowker); otherwise we can upload it to our account. Ask if you have any questions.
    • Includes library offerings to Baker & Taylor, Bibliotheca, EBSCO, ProQuest, Follett (mostly print, limited digital)
  • Barnes & Noble Press (paperback, Nook ebook)
  • Draft2Digital (ebooks only)
    • Distributed to library networks such as OverDrive, Hoopla, Bibliotheca, Baker & Taylor (Axis360), Palace Marketplace
  • Apple Books (ebooks)
  • Kobo (eboks)
  • Google Play (ebooks)
  • When you self publish, you retain 100% of your royalties.
  • Optional: We can publish your book under our established accounts on any/all these platforms, and we retain 10% of royalties to cover administrative costs.

• Marketing guidance: A year-long roadmap via email and scheduled virtual group calls to maximize your book’s success, delivering expert strategies in book and author website setup, pre-launch planning, high-impact promotions, reader outreach, and ongoing sales tactics. Over 12 months, you’ll receive curated insights, including access to reader promotion networks, Kindle freebie reminders, social media and email marketing tips, how to integrate your book with your business branding and marketing, Canva templates for eye-catching graphics, and proven methods to keep your book visible and selling—all based on our past marketing and publishing industry expertise.

Best For:

• Authors who want to self-publish but need help with ISBN registration and detailed setup instructions plus a basic level of marketing and publishing support
• Business owners who prefer to manage their own publishing accounts

 

FAQ – Basic Publishing Package

How many ISBNs do I need, and how many do I receive?

We provide you with one ISBN for paperback format as part of your package.  You can add on additional ISBN for hardback and/or ebook.  All distribution platforms do require a separate ISBN for each format. If you want all three formats, you will need three ISBNs.

You should ONLY have one ISBN per format. What you do not want to ever do is gather a bunch of free ISBNs that are given by all of the different platforms as part of using their platform, where you end up with 3 different ones for paperbacks and 8 for ebooks etc.  Best practice and best professional use is having only one (although each format – paperback, hardback, and ebook – does still need their own). More about these free ISBNs below.

Don’t some platforms give you a free ISBN?

Yes, platforms like Amazon KDP, Draft2Digital, and Barnes & Noble Press offer free ISBNs, but we do not recommend using these free ISBNs for several reasons:

1. Loss of Flexibility & Control – A free ISBN is tied only to the platform that issues it.

   • If you accept a free ISBN from Amazon KDP, you cannot use it on IngramSpark, Barnes & Noble, or any other platform.
   • If you later decide to expand your distribution, you’ll have to publish a new edition with a new ISBN, which can cause confusion for retailers and readers.

2. Platform-Limited Distribution – Many bookstores and libraries do not accept books with platform-assigned ISBNs because they recognize them as self-published exclusives. If you plan to distribute beyond Amazon or Draft2Digital, you’ll need your own ISBN. For example, if you would like to host some local book signings and sell copies in local bookstores, these free ISBNs will NOT work.

3. No Publisher Branding – A free ISBN registers the platform as the publisher, meaning:

   • Instead of being listed under Unscrewed Publishing (or your own imprint if you buy your ISBN), your book will say Published by Amazon KDP or Published by Draft2Digital, which can look less professional to bookstores and media outlets.

4. Restrictions on Print & Library Options – Some platforms with free ISBNs limit your ability to set wholesale discounts or return policies, making your book less attractive to bookstores and libraries.

By using an ISBN provided through Unscrewed Publishing (or purchasing your own), you maintain full control over your book’s distribution, branding, and future opportunities.

Do I need to purchase my own ISBN? 

No. We provide one for you for a paperback format as part of this package.

However, if you want to use your own IngramSpark account, then yes—you must purchase your own ISBN through Bowker ($125 per ISBN). This is because IngramSpark requires the publisher listed on the ISBN registration to match the publishing account. This is their rule, not ours.

Bowker is the official registration company for all ISBNs in the United States (technically it is the ONLY ISBN registration company … when we issue you an ISBN, it is registered through Bowker and we pay them directly for your ISBN number).

This is the only platform that has this strict of a publisher requirement; most of the other platforms you are simply required to note the publisher but the account you use does not need to be owned by the publisher. In any case, you still want only ONE ISBN – ours or yours.

Why Do I Need a Price-Specific Barcode?

We provide a price-specific barcode with each ISBN. A price-specific barcode ensures your book meets industry standards for bookstores, libraries, and retail distribution. Here’s why it matters:

1. Required for Bookstores & Libraries – Many retailers will not stock books without a price-specific barcode because their systems rely on it for pricing, inventory tracking, and sales reports.

2. Professional Appearance – A book without a price-specific barcode may look less polished and industry-ready, making it harder to gain credibility with distributors and retailers.

3. Standardized Pricing Control – A barcode with a set price ensures that bookstores and libraries know exactly what to charge, reducing confusion in wholesale and retail transactions.

4. Easier Sales & Cataloging – Without a price-specific barcode, some retailers may reject your book or list it as “unpriced,” which can create hesitation for buyers and complicate distribution.

5. Required for Some Platforms – While Amazon KDP doesn’t require it, IngramSpark, bookstores, and most library systems do.

A price-specific barcode is automatically included in our ISBN registration, ensuring your book is fully prepared for professional retail and library distribution.

What if I want to use my own accounts for some platforms and yours for others?

You can absolutely mix and match. For example:

• Use your own Amazon KDP account but publish on IngramSpark through our account (avoiding the need to purchase your own ISBN).
• Use our account for Draft2Digital while managing your own Barnes & Noble Press account.

We offer flexible publishing options to fit your needs.

Can I switch to my own account later if I start under yours?

Yes! You always have the option to take full control later. If you start under any of our accounts, we can unpublish there and you can use your own.

IngramSpark is the only exception since if the ISBN is registered through us and published under our account it cannot be moved.  To move from having us listed as Publisher to yourself, you would need to purchase a new ISBN through Bowker since ISBNs are permanently tied to the original publisher of record.  This means you would need to update all of your covers, and book interiors if the ISBN is listed there (it probably is) and upload new versions to all platforms.

Do you set up publishing accounts for me?

No. Because platforms require personal financial details like banking and tax information so that you can get paid, we do not set up accounts on your behalf. Instead, we provide detailed, step-by-step instructions so you can set up your accounts quickly and correctly.

What happens if I publish under your accounts?

If we handle distribution under our accounts (IngramSpark, Barnes & Noble Press, Draft2Digital, etc.), we process royalties and distribute earnings to you within 60 days after the end of each month (timing varies by platform), minus a 10% administrative fee.

If you use your own accounts, you keep 100% of your royalties, and payments come directly from each platform to whatever financial account that you set up on the platform during account setup.

Will publishing under Unscrewed Publishing or Fractured Ink Press affect my rights?

No. You retain full ownership and copyright of all of your content. We do not claim any rights to your book—you are simply using our publishing imprint for distribution purposes. Our goal is to help you become a published author, not own any of your content.

Can I upgrade to a higher package later?

Yes! If you decide you need formatting, design, or additional publishing services, you can upgrade at any time by paying the difference between packages.  Just contact us directly.

How do I get paid if I publish under your accounts?

We issue royalty payments within 60 days after the end of each month, deducting only our 10% administrative fee for platforms where we manage distribution.

Each platform has different payout schedules, but we handle everything and process all payments once received.

What kind of marketing support do I get?

You receive one year of guided marketing support, including:

• Pre-launch planning strategies
• Reader promotion networks to boost Amazon downloads
• Social media & email marketing tips
• Kindle freebie timing reminders
• Canva templates for book promo graphics
• Ongoing sales strategies to keep your book visible long-term

This guidance is provided via email and scheduled virtual group calls so you always know what to do next.

Can I add extra services later?

Yes! You can purchase additional ISBNs, marketing support, bulk book printing assistance, or a website setup at any time.

What if I have more questions?

We’re happy to help! If anything is unclear, reach out before purchasing, and we’ll help you choose the best publishing path.  You can use the chat button (bottom right of website), or the email address at the top of our website. Or schedule a free consultation.