ISBN

[Mario Gomez]

Is there really a problem with making references to NFL and MLS in fiction? Is it better to use your own ISBN # when publishing your book or use the free one that they offer?

[Jeff Mariotte]

Depends. If you want your book available in any bookstore, you're going to need your own ISBN. If you just want to be in the stores serviced by Smashwords (or whoever the "they in your question is) then you can take theirs, but that can't be used in other editions.

And there's no problem making references to actual organizations like the NFL, NBA, MLB or whoever. If you want to write a novel painting the NFL as a criminal organization that exploits child labor (for example), then you might be on shaky ground. But if you want a character to say, "How about those Packers!"--that's perfectly fine.

[Aimee Conner]

I agree. Organizations and establishments like the NFL or for instance, The Smithsonian, are known worldwide and people mention them in all types of media. 

[Eric Timar]

He said MLS, not MLB . . . clearly a fan of Major League Soccer like me.  :)

MLS is probably grateful for any publicity.

[Kitty Sutton]

Somebody correct me if I am wrong, but the free one has strings attached.  When you get that free one, then they will be listed as your publisher.  I have heard that it is safer to buy your own.  Maybe someone else has more info on it.  Kitty

[Aimee Conner]

Kitty, I have made that conclusion myself...I thought about publishing through Lulu.com at one point and they offered to supply me with an ISBN, but it was tied into their system, so far as I could tell. I need to do more research. I didn't need an ISBN when I published with Kindle, they provided me with an ASIN number, but, it is unique to amazon.

[Kitty Sutton]

It seems that an author has to be extra careful these days.  Especially after Amazon pulled their Kindle Lending Library thing.  It looks good on the surface, but the fine print will kill you.  Please let me know if you discover any other options, other than just buying it outright.  And thank for a good discussion.    Kitty

[Aimee Conner]

I've avoided the Lending Library, too.

[Elizabeth Baxter]

Does anyone know how you get an ISBN or roughly how much it costs?

 

Thanks,

[Aimee Conner]

ISBN.org appears to be the legit source....its $125 for one, if you buy a batch of ten, its $250. 

[Mario Gomez]

Thanks Aimee, I did purchase that package of ten, which I thought was a good Idea, but I wasn't sure if I should take advantage of the free ones while I could.

Mario

[Aimee Conner]

Also, if you go through links provided by online publishers (Lulu, amazon, Outskirts) I am sure that would be a good way to source ISBN.

[Elizabeth Baxter]

Great, thanks Aimee.