Claiming Your ISBN In Philippines

Whether you’re an independent or a traditional author, we’ve always wanted to join author events and further expand our fanbase and sell our books. And when you are very serious about expanding the market of your published book, build a good reputation and be recognized as the best selling author, then you must exert extra effort especially when you’re just starting in the writing community.

In joining author events, there are factors that you must consider before jumping — budget, printery for your book, location and a bookstore who accepts consigned books like Bibliomanes Bookstore.

But sometimes, there is one thing that authors forget to get — claiming an ISBN for their printed book.

An ISBN or ‘International Standard Book Number’ is very important to the publishers, booksellers, retailers, and libraries because it’s a product identifier for ordering, listing, sales record, and stock control purposes.

ISBN is necessary if you want to distribute your book/s independently as a self-published author, or sell and have it consigned or exhibited on bookstores during events like the Manila International Book Fair.

Usually, you could see the ISBN on the back of the book, specifically, the barcode. Or you could also just add the ISBN on the disclaimer about copyright page of your self-published book. If you wish to get an ISBN for your book but have no idea how to start, well, here's a guide for you.

1. Become A National Book Development Board (NBDB) Registered Author.

If you’re already a Registered author at NBDB, then that’s great for you! But if you haven’t, you should navigate this link: bit.ly/NBDBereg and complete the form. NBDB will then send you an email confirmation and the next steps that they will ask you to do.

Once successful, you will be receiving an author certificate valid for 1 year.

2. Log-In To Your NBDB Account.

Go to https://ins-poas.nlp.gov.ph/user/login and enter your credentials to log-in.

3. Select the ‘ISBN application’ on the top part of the page.

Make sure to write and complete the ISBN Information Sheet to proceed. Do not forget to upload the first three (3) pages of your book — the front page with title and author's name, the copyright page and the credits page. Note that NBDB has a required format that you could learn in this link to avoid getting rejected.

4. Wait for your ISBN from mlabancia@nlp.gov.ph.

After completing the form, you are going to receive your ISBN on your email.

Keep in mind that NDBD might reject your ISBN application especially if you didn't follow their instructions or the proper format of the manuscript that you have to upload, so you better be careful.

Getting an ISBN looked difficult, but it is really not. With this guide, you'll get a hang of it.

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