There was a time when I thought writing a book was the hardest part.

I would sit with my notebook, fill pages with thoughts, edit them, doubt them, rewrite them. When the manuscript was finally ready, I believed I had crossed the mountain.

Then I saw the mountain ranges I had to cross to get my book published. I had to make choices like, should I submit my book to publications and wait for their response, or should I apply to those Instagram ads saying they would publish my books?

After a long research, making calls and eating glass. I decided to independently publish my book.

Hi, I’m Ajith Siva, an independently published author. Here, I’m going to teach you how to independently publish a book without going for traditional publishing or self-publishing agencies.

The first thing you would ever need to publish your manuscript after getting your book print-ready is getting an ISBN.

What is an ISBN?

ISBN stands for International Standard Book Number.

It is a 13-digit unique number assigned to a book so that it can be identified anywhere in the world. Think of it as an ID card for your book. Just as we all have an Aadhaar number, each published book has its own ISBN.

This number helps:

• Bookstores catalogue your book
• Libraries list your book in their system
• Online platforms track and distribute your book
• Distributors recognise your edition properly

Without an ISBN, your book is simply printed paper.

With an ISBN, it enters the formal publishing system. Each version of a book requires a separate ISBN. A paperback needs one. A hardcover needs another. An ebook requires its own.

Many new authors do not realise this.

Why ISBN Matters for Independent Authors in India

If you are printing a few copies to gift your friends and family, technically, you do not need an ISBN.

But if you wish to:

• Sell through bookstores
• List your book on Amazon or Flipkart
• Supply copies to libraries
• Build a long-term publishing identity

Then ISBN becomes essential.

Especially if you are publishing under your own imprint and wish to establish yourself as a serious independent publisher.

It adds credibility. It gives structure and places your book in the global database of publications.

Who Issues ISBN in India?

In India, an ISBN is issued by the government authority known as:

Raja Rammohun Roy National Agency for ISBN

This agency functions under the Ministry of Education.

The most comforting part?

Unlike some countries, like the USA, an ISBN is provided free of cost to Indian authors and publishers.

You do not have to pay any fee to the government for obtaining it.

How to Get an ISBN for Your Independently Published Book

Let us go step by step, the old-fashioned way.

Step 1: Register on the Official ISBN Portal

Visit the official ISBN portal managed by the agency.

You can register either as:

• An individual self-publisher
• A registered publishing house

If you are publishing under your own imprint name, you may register as a publisher.

Step 2: Keep Your Documents Ready

For individual authors, you generally need:

• Identity proof, such as Aadhaar or PAN
• Address proof
• Soft copy of your book cover
• Title page of your book
• A copyright page draft
• Contact details

If you are applying as a publishing house, additional documents, such as a firm registration certificate or a GST certificate, may be required.

Do note that GST is not mandatory for obtaining an ISBN. It is required only if your business turnover crosses government limits.

Step 3: Submit Book Details

You must enter:

• Book title
• Author name
• Language
• Format
• Number of pages
• Year of publication

Be careful while entering details. Errors can delay approval.

Remember that every format, such as paperback and hardcover, requires a separate ISBN.

Step 4: Wait for Processing

Approval usually takes between 7 and 15 working days. Sometimes it may take longer if there is a backlog.

Once approved, you will receive your ISBN via email.

I know patience is part of publishing. But the Government of India could develop this website functionally faster.

Step 5: Print the ISBN in Your Book

After receiving the number:

• Print it on the copyright page
• Print it on the back cover along with a barcode

You can generate a barcode using free online ISBN barcode generators.

Without the barcode, retailers cannot efficiently scan your book.

Common Mistakes New Authors Make

Many independent authors make small but costly mistakes:

• Reusing one ISBN for multiple books
• Using the same ISBN for paperback and Hardcover
• Forgetting to update the ISBN for revised editions
• Using Amazon’s free ISBN without understanding publisher ownership

If you use Amazon KDP’s free ISBN, Amazon becomes the publisher of record. If you want your own publishing name printed as the publisher, you should apply for your own ISBN.

Ownership matters if you are building a long-term author brand.

Should You Buy an ISBN from Private Agencies?

You may find many private agencies selling ISBN packages.

Be cautious.

The Indian government provides an ISBN free of cost. Unless you want a service provider to handle the paperwork for convenience, you do not need to purchase it.

Doing it yourself is not difficult. It only requires attention and clarity.

ISBN and Copyright Are Not the Same

Many authors confuse ISBN with copyright.

ISBN identifies your book.

Copyright protects your content.

Your work is automatically protected by copyright law once created. An ISBN simply helps the publishing ecosystem identify your book in the marketplace.

Both are important. But they serve different purposes.

Are you a writer thinking about independent publishing?

Publishing a book on your own takes a lot of courage, and it needs clarity. Doing it properly will make you stand out among the others, and you get to sell your book directly to your reader.

Getting your own ISBN isn’t just official. It feels archived. It feels like your words now belong to the larger literary world.

Independent publishing in India should be growing. More writers should choose control over convenience.

If you are serious about publishing your work and not merely printing it, getting your own ISBN is one of the first responsible steps you must take.

Write your book. Yes.

But also learn the business of books.

Because in today’s world, an author must think like a publisher, too.