Bowker Report Shows Record Growth in US ISBN Registrations
Annual statistics reveal a 12% increase in self-published print and digital ISBN assignments across independent presses.
Bowker, the official US ISBN agency, has published its annual report on ISBN registrations, recording a 12% year-over-year increase in new ISBN assignments for self-published print and ebook titles.
The report underscores the continued professionalization of independent publishing, as more authors acquire dedicated publisher-of-record ISBNs rather than relying solely on free retailer-assigned identification numbers.
Data Breakdown
- Print vs. Digital: Print ISBN assignments for independent titles grew by 14%, driven by strong demand for hardcovers and special editions.
- Small Press Growth: Micro-presses and author imprints registered thousands of new ISBN prefixes.
- Distribution Advantage: Owning a custom ISBN enables authors to list titles across multiple distributors without catalog conflicts.
The findings highlight that independent publishing accounts for an expanding share of overall US title output.
Sources
- Bowker Industry Data Reportsaccessed
Daniel Osei
Senior reporter
Daniel writes on contracts, rights and the business of independent publishing.
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