My ISBN Journey as a Canadian Indie Author
When I first published the first two books in The Crimson Legacy Series, I had only a basic understanding of ISBNs (International Standard Book Numbers). I knew they were important for identifying books, but I didn’t fully grasp the implications of how and where I got them—especially here in Canada.
The Early Missteps
In the beginning, I turned to Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) and opted for their free ISBN option. It seemed like the easiest and most cost-effective choice. What I didn’t realize at the time was that in Canada, ISBNs are issued free of charge through Library and Archives Canada (Library and Archives Canada, n.d.). I also didn’t understand that KDP’s free ISBN would lock my book into Amazon’s ecosystem, making it harder to distribute to other retailers, bookstores, and libraries (Shadowscript Publications, 2023).
It wasn’t until much later, after more research and connecting with other Canadian authors, that I discovered I could have registered as a publisher with Library and Archives Canada, obtained my own ISBNs for free, and kept complete control over my book’s distribution.
KDP Free ISBN vs. Your Own ISBN in Canada
| Option | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| KDP Free ISBN | Instant assignment; no application; no cost | Lists Amazon as publisher; limited to Amazon’s platforms; harder to get into bookstores and libraries (Shadowscript Publications, 2023; Kindlepreneur, 2023) |
| Own ISBN via Library and Archives Canada | Free in Canada; you’re listed as publisher; full control over metadata and distribution; accepted by libraries and bookstores (Library and Archives Canada, n.d.; AuthorImprints, 2022) | Requires application and approval; more initial setup; republishing needed if switching from KDP ISBN |
Pros and Cons of Making the Switch
Pros:
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Expanded distribution: With your own ISBN, you can publish on multiple platforms, making your book available to bookstores, libraries, and international retailers (AuthorImprints, 2022).
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Professional branding: Your name (or your publishing imprint’s name) appears as the publisher instead of Amazon.
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Long-term control: You decide on editions, metadata, and distribution channels.
Cons:
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Republishing work: To change the ISBN on an existing book, you must unpublish and republish it, which may result in losing existing Amazon reviews (Kindlepreneur, 2023).
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Temporary sales disruption: Republishing can briefly interrupt availability.
Lessons Learned
Looking back, I realize my decision to use KDP’s free ISBN was driven by convenience and fear of the unknown. Learning the Canadian system took time, but it was worth the effort. Now, I can expand my reach beyond Amazon, work toward getting my books into brick-and-mortar stores, and maybe even see them in libraries.
Sometimes, the journey as an indie author involves more than writing—it’s about navigating the business side with the same courage we give our characters. This was one of those moments for me.
So today I am taking the steps to make The Crimson Legacy more available, and to spread my metaphorical wings even further. Sometimes we just have to "Trust the Process". Something I am not always good at, but I am learning and growing with each new adventure as an Indie Author. I know that if I keep going I will get to where it is I truly wish to be. I am after all human. So it is okay to error. Although I don't look at this as an error per say. I look at it as a growth milestone, and the next steps that will help me further my journey.
Key Takeaways for Canadian Indie Authors
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ISBNs are free in Canada — Apply directly through Library and Archives Canada.
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KDP ISBNs are convenient but restrictive — Use them only if you plan to stay Amazon-exclusive.
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Owning your ISBN means professional credibility, distribution freedom, and complete control.
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Switching ISBNs later can be worth the effort—especially early in your publishing career.
Until Next Time Lovelies,
Always, Ambrose Fider
References
AuthorImprints. (2022, March 8). The ISBN is free for Canadian publishers: An essential how-to guide if you are based in Canada. AuthorImprints. https://www.authorimprints.com/the-isbn-is-free-for-canadian-publishers-an-essential-how-to-guide-if-you-are-based-in-canada/
Kindlepreneur. (2023, September 28). How to get an ISBN. Kindlepreneur. https://kindlepreneur.com/how-to-get-isbn/
Library and Archives Canada. (n.d.). ISBN Canada. Government of Canada. https://www.canada.ca/en/library-archives/services/publishers/isbn.html
Shadowscript Publications. (2023, April 14). The great ISBN debate: To use or not to use Amazon KDP ISBN. Shadowscript Publications. https://shadowscriptpublications.com/blog/the-great-isbn-debate--to-use-or-not-to-use-amazon-kdp-isbn