This post originally appeared on Martintiller.com where I write about indie-publishing.
I'm setting up the paperback for the newest book, The Return of the Professor.
Ever since my second book, Kevin and the Three-Headed Alien, I have used my own imprint and bought my own ISBN for $10. (Which is way cheaper than buying them through Bowker. So don't go that way.)
Why Create your own Imprint?
I tend to recommend this because your paperbacks will look more professional when they have your business name on the inside of them. Createspace says that if you don't use their ISBN numbers then you can't be in colleges or libraries.
This hasn't been true for me.
My books are in at least five different school libraries here in Virginia. To get those books into the libraries I just either donated them, or I spoke at the school. Once I got a book into a school library, I stopped worrying about the Createspace statement that my books won't go to libraries.
What they really mean is that libraries won't order them from Createspace. Well, in terms of hustle and getting your name out, it is up to you to get your books to be in libraries and you can do that with your own imprint and ISBN numbers.
How to Do it
Getting your own numbers is easy. When setting up your title on Createspace choose the Guided Route, where Createspace guides you through the system. In that route they give you the option of purchasing your own numbers with your own imprint. You also set-up the name you want for your imprint in the process.
It's very easy.
My newest book, The Return of the Professor, is now available for order. Check it out!