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My Publishing Imprint: How to Create a Self-Publishing Book Imprint & ISBN Essentials
It's easier than ever to be a publisher.My Publishing Imprint answers these important questions:
Do you have to create a publishing imprint to publish a book?
Do you need to establish an entity or register a business name if you want to be recognized as the publisher of a book?
What are the legal and business considerations?
Where does your publishing imprint name appear in public and industry records?
How do you research available names?
What do other indie publishers do?
What are the risks of using a free Amazon ISBN?
My Publishing Imprint is your guide to understanding the facts, your options, and the key decisions you need to make before you publish a book. Once made, they cannot be reversed. You must republish your book.
Do you have to create a publishing imprint to publish a book?
Do you need to establish an entity or register a business name if you want to be recognized as the publisher of a book?
What are the legal and business considerations?
Where does your publishing imprint name appear in public and industry records?
How do you research available names?
What do other indie publishers do?
What are the risks of using a free Amazon ISBN?
My Publishing Imprint is your guide to understanding the facts, your options, and the key decisions you need to make before you publish a book. Once made, they cannot be reversed. You must republish your book.
110 pages, Paperback
Published August 16, 2019
53 people are currently reading
48 people want to read
About the author
David Wogahn
11 books20 followersDavid Wogahn is the founder and president of AuthorImprints, and has taught self-publishing classes for Writer's Digest University, Jane Friedman, the Alliance of Independent Authors (ALLi), the Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), and the Santa Barbara Writers Conference, among other publishing professional organizations.
David is the author of six books about self-publishing, including the Countdown to Book Launch® series. In 2012, he became the author of the first LinkedIn Learning course on the topic of self-publishing (Lynda at the time).
He has worked for the Los Angeles Times, the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee, and was co-founder and COO of the first online publisher of sports team branded websites known today as the CBS College Sports Network.
David is the author of six books about self-publishing, including the Countdown to Book Launch® series. In 2012, he became the author of the first LinkedIn Learning course on the topic of self-publishing (Lynda at the time).
He has worked for the Los Angeles Times, the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee, and was co-founder and COO of the first online publisher of sports team branded websites known today as the CBS College Sports Network.
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
January 25, 2020
Once upon a time, I used to work for a popular self-publishing company and reading this book I kept thinking of dozens of writers I worked with in those days that needed to be walloped over the head with this information. You would not believe what I saw in those days, people using another random person's name as the name of their publishing imprint without so much as asking permission. Authors that tried to publish their books under an imprint name of a famous publisher to trick their readers into thinking it was traditionally published who were shocked, SHOCKED that wasn't a thing you could just do. And, less egregiously but still just as wrong, people who literally just made up a random name for their publishing imprint doing nothing at all to register or secure the use of it first.
Self-publishing is a business and, like the formation of any business, has its own share of paperwork. You cannot "pants" the formation of a company on the fly like you can craft a story. Before you embark on your self-publishing journey, there are considerations, registrations and legislations you must make. The number of i's to dot and t's to cross can be overwhelming but the good news is that My Publishing Imprint gives you a quick and easy-to-read guide to all of them and serves as a helpful checklist for getting your publishing business off on the right foot.
From the big picture choices like choosing an imprint name and the branding considerations of doing so to registering as a business (which people always have this confused idea that writers should avoid for tax reasons when the opposite is true as it protects you!), to the book by book matters of ISBNs and individual publishing and distribution options, it's a short book but a very useful one as it gives you the crash course you need to get your publishing business set up and set up correctly.
Whether you're just starting out... or starting to suspect you may not be doing this right... it's well worth picking up to help you double-check that you've got all the details of your publishing business right!
Self-publishing is a business and, like the formation of any business, has its own share of paperwork. You cannot "pants" the formation of a company on the fly like you can craft a story. Before you embark on your self-publishing journey, there are considerations, registrations and legislations you must make. The number of i's to dot and t's to cross can be overwhelming but the good news is that My Publishing Imprint gives you a quick and easy-to-read guide to all of them and serves as a helpful checklist for getting your publishing business off on the right foot.
From the big picture choices like choosing an imprint name and the branding considerations of doing so to registering as a business (which people always have this confused idea that writers should avoid for tax reasons when the opposite is true as it protects you!), to the book by book matters of ISBNs and individual publishing and distribution options, it's a short book but a very useful one as it gives you the crash course you need to get your publishing business set up and set up correctly.
Whether you're just starting out... or starting to suspect you may not be doing this right... it's well worth picking up to help you double-check that you've got all the details of your publishing business right!
March 9, 2022
Useful and well thought-out but could be much shorter
This is a book for writers. In particular, for writers considering self-publishing. If you find yourself in that situation one of the big questions (alongside all the other big questions) is whether or not to set up your own publishing company (also known as an “imprint”) or whether to just stick your book on Amazon and let them be the publisher. It’s not an easy decision, and each option comes with advantages, disadvantages, and costs. Wogahn goes through all these concerns in detail, so that by the end of the book you should have a much clearer idea of which direction you want to take.
One whole, the level of detail in this book is good, but I do have a few reservations. My first problem with the book is that it quickly becomes very repetitive. I can guess that this is because the author thinks that many readers will not read the book from cover to cover, but instead just go straight to whatever section concerns them. If you do (as I did) read the book from start to finish you might get pretty sick of the repetition. My other issue with this book is that it is very US-centric. The rules around copyright, registration with national libraries, and how to acquire ISBNs vary greatly for different countries and legal systems, yet this book only covers the rules in the USA. Again, I can understand why the book is like this - it is the only system that Wogahn has personal experience of, and it is likely that the majority of the readers of this book will be in the USA themselves. However, I would have preferred that this was made a bit more obvious. Sure, a couple of pounds/dollars is not much for an informative and thoughtful ebook, but anyone outside the USA will not be able to completely trust it and will have to keep looking and deciding.
This is a book for writers. In particular, for writers considering self-publishing. If you find yourself in that situation one of the big questions (alongside all the other big questions) is whether or not to set up your own publishing company (also known as an “imprint”) or whether to just stick your book on Amazon and let them be the publisher. It’s not an easy decision, and each option comes with advantages, disadvantages, and costs. Wogahn goes through all these concerns in detail, so that by the end of the book you should have a much clearer idea of which direction you want to take.
One whole, the level of detail in this book is good, but I do have a few reservations. My first problem with the book is that it quickly becomes very repetitive. I can guess that this is because the author thinks that many readers will not read the book from cover to cover, but instead just go straight to whatever section concerns them. If you do (as I did) read the book from start to finish you might get pretty sick of the repetition. My other issue with this book is that it is very US-centric. The rules around copyright, registration with national libraries, and how to acquire ISBNs vary greatly for different countries and legal systems, yet this book only covers the rules in the USA. Again, I can understand why the book is like this - it is the only system that Wogahn has personal experience of, and it is likely that the majority of the readers of this book will be in the USA themselves. However, I would have preferred that this was made a bit more obvious. Sure, a couple of pounds/dollars is not much for an informative and thoughtful ebook, but anyone outside the USA will not be able to completely trust it and will have to keep looking and deciding.
April 7, 2025
My self-publishing guru
I am relying on David Wogahn’s advice with every step of my self-publishing journey. This book helped me set up my small business, register my imprint, Fieldwood Books, and obtain ISBNs. The other books in his series, as well as his new book Before the Launch, which I obtained prior to the 4/25/25 release date, have helped me feel confident I’m doing everything possible to give my novel, Stones River: A Civil War Story of Courage, Sacrifice, and an Otherworldly Love ( pub 6/19/25) its best shot.
I am relying on David Wogahn’s advice with every step of my self-publishing journey. This book helped me set up my small business, register my imprint, Fieldwood Books, and obtain ISBNs. The other books in his series, as well as his new book Before the Launch, which I obtained prior to the 4/25/25 release date, have helped me feel confident I’m doing everything possible to give my novel, Stones River: A Civil War Story of Courage, Sacrifice, and an Otherworldly Love ( pub 6/19/25) its best shot.
May 10, 2025
The name is the game.
David clearly lays out the important reasons why you might want to consider having an imprint of your own. My first thought after reading this book is why wouldn't I want one? However, David also gives some circumstances where it might not be for you. What I like about his rating is that he isn't trying to sell you on a particular point of view. He presents all sides and then says, "Do what is right for you." I would recommend that Indie publishers read this book before they are too far down the publishing road. I wish I had.
David clearly lays out the important reasons why you might want to consider having an imprint of your own. My first thought after reading this book is why wouldn't I want one? However, David also gives some circumstances where it might not be for you. What I like about his rating is that he isn't trying to sell you on a particular point of view. He presents all sides and then says, "Do what is right for you." I would recommend that Indie publishers read this book before they are too far down the publishing road. I wish I had.
Read
June 27, 2022This is a good book for authors and publishers to read. It covers an Imprint (the name of your publishing company) and why using ISBN numbers generated by Bowker (or others, not Amazon) makes sense. Extensive details about ISBN. He recommends creating a business logo and putting tit on business PR and books. There is a section about setting up your business for publishing. Good recommendations about imprinting and ISBN numbers for the self-publishing author and publisher.
September 1, 2020
Solid Advice
While the author focused on imprints and ISBNs in USA, it was still useful for me as an Aussie to read up on the reasons why choosing an imprint could be viable as well as pros and cons for buying your own ISBNs vs using KDP’s/Ingram’s free ones. Definitely will be reading the next book in this series.
While the author focused on imprints and ISBNs in USA, it was still useful for me as an Aussie to read up on the reasons why choosing an imprint could be viable as well as pros and cons for buying your own ISBNs vs using KDP’s/Ingram’s free ones. Definitely will be reading the next book in this series.
September 3, 2021
Great Primer for Self-Publishers
This short book is written clearly, simply, and directly. Lists reasons to create an imprint or not to, how to create the imprint, and what the process requires. You’re given a step-by-step process. Just wish I bought the print copy for easy reference!
This short book is written clearly, simply, and directly. Lists reasons to create an imprint or not to, how to create the imprint, and what the process requires. You’re given a step-by-step process. Just wish I bought the print copy for easy reference!
January 2, 2021
Why an ISBN is essential
David Wigahn doesn't pull any punches when he makes a case for whether authors consider themselves writers or typists when it comes to buying and using an ISBN.
David Wigahn doesn't pull any punches when he makes a case for whether authors consider themselves writers or typists when it comes to buying and using an ISBN.
Read
March 6, 2021Amazingly good
Although short this book covered so many bases about self publishing I didn’t even know existed. Seriously helpful and going to one of stable writing and publishing books
Although short this book covered so many bases about self publishing I didn’t even know existed. Seriously helpful and going to one of stable writing and publishing books
December 19, 2021
I am trying to wade through all the self-publishing information. This is an excellent book to help an author understand how to set up your book for publication. I would have made many mistakes if I had not read this book first.
January 26, 2022
Wow! Lots of information!
I liked the way this book was set up to help a new writer. I'm glad there's self-help books written by writers with more experience. Thank you, it helps a lot! I was blind until I read this book!
I liked the way this book was set up to help a new writer. I'm glad there's self-help books written by writers with more experience. Thank you, it helps a lot! I was blind until I read this book!
June 29, 2020
A useful roadmap for creating my own publisher imprint.
June 29, 2021
Great information for a newbie author re setting up your own imprint and using your own ISBNs. Takes you through the process so you can decide what's best for you.
August 17, 2021
Succinct
Lots of info I already knew from my own research but Wogahn did a great job of compiling it into an easily digestible format!
Lots of info I already knew from my own research but Wogahn did a great job of compiling it into an easily digestible format!
December 28, 2021
Very helpful
I'm new to self-publishing and I found this information very helpful. David helped me consider my publishing plans, or lack thereof.
I'm new to self-publishing and I found this information very helpful. David helped me consider my publishing plans, or lack thereof.
January 17, 2022
Good resource.
David covers all the pro and cons including book signing and website concerns. Well done and users can call the shots.
David covers all the pro and cons including book signing and website concerns. Well done and users can call the shots.
May 1, 2022
Informative
Very helpful information and provided me the foundation for making an informed decision. I will look for more books from David as I continue my pursuit to publishing.
Very helpful information and provided me the foundation for making an informed decision. I will look for more books from David as I continue my pursuit to publishing.
October 23, 2022
Excellent Guide
Excellent explanation of the uses of ISBNs. Professionally (not casually) written. Should be read before uploading your book to KDP. Glad I came across it.
Excellent explanation of the uses of ISBNs. Professionally (not casually) written. Should be read before uploading your book to KDP. Glad I came across it.
March 13, 2024
Useful for what it is, a short guide to ISBNs and legal structure for publishing imprints. Straightforward and well-written.
December 6, 2025
helpful guidance
The topic of ISBNs is confusing and this helped clarify some of that. I would love to see an updated edition!
The topic of ISBNs is confusing and this helped clarify some of that. I would love to see an updated edition!
August 23, 2020
How timely this book was for me! For the past couple days, my "author resources" friend, and a fellow author had been discussing the issues of assigning ISBNs and to what degree it was necessary to create an imprint. While I still have some decisions to make with my second book, what I learned from David's book answers some key questions that will help with the decision making process. Thank you for writing this concise and to-the-point guide! John Penteros (Author of the Twelve Feet series). Follow up: Created that imprint. Easy. Now reading another one of David's books about book reviews. Good practical advice!
August 16, 2019
Excellent overview for indie authors.
Every indie author faces this basic dilemma: Should I self-publish using my own name, set up a business name, or do it through another publishing imprint, such as KDP (Amazon)? Indie publishing consultant David Wogahn not only authoritatively answers this question, he offers a lot of very helpful information in this short but highly informative book. In addition to discussing the ins and outs of publishing imprints, he demystifies ISBN numbers. You’ll learn exactly what an ISBN is, where to get it, and what your options are for its use. Wogahn also discusses the pros and cons of free ISBNs offered by KDP Print and IngramSpark. If you are thinking of self-publishing – or even if you’ve already published on your own – this clearly written primer on publishing imprints and ISBNs will be of great value.
Every indie author faces this basic dilemma: Should I self-publish using my own name, set up a business name, or do it through another publishing imprint, such as KDP (Amazon)? Indie publishing consultant David Wogahn not only authoritatively answers this question, he offers a lot of very helpful information in this short but highly informative book. In addition to discussing the ins and outs of publishing imprints, he demystifies ISBN numbers. You’ll learn exactly what an ISBN is, where to get it, and what your options are for its use. Wogahn also discusses the pros and cons of free ISBNs offered by KDP Print and IngramSpark. If you are thinking of self-publishing – or even if you’ve already published on your own – this clearly written primer on publishing imprints and ISBNs will be of great value.
August 18, 2019
With 30 years in publishing, David Wogahn is the go-to guy for the nitty-gritty of publishing. When it comes to the things that you think you kinda, sorta know about publishing - like metadata, ISBNs, or publishing options - his books nail down the details in an easy to follow format. This one and his others are quick reads too.
When you choose indie publishing, you're in business. Writing is only the first step. Then you need to be sure your work is visible and accessible through marketing and distribution channels. This book will help you understand your options, why they matter, and how to make the best choices for your book.
To be sure you look as professional and credible in the marketplace as you can, My Publishing Imprint should be part of your publishing education.
When you choose indie publishing, you're in business. Writing is only the first step. Then you need to be sure your work is visible and accessible through marketing and distribution channels. This book will help you understand your options, why they matter, and how to make the best choices for your book.
To be sure you look as professional and credible in the marketplace as you can, My Publishing Imprint should be part of your publishing education.
August 16, 2019
This book holds valuable, easy to understand, information for anyone considering publishing their own books. Although this book was short, I was surprised by the lack of fluff that most non-fiction books hold. I never found myself wishing the author would just get to the point already, because everything written was concise. The clarity and straightforwardness of this book was a pleasant surprise. I certainly intend to read more by this author.
December 28, 2019
A practical guide to setting up your own publishing imprint for independent authors. I did this before reading the book and looked through to see if I had missed any steps. Everything is covered.
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews