Ep 13: ISBN Debate: Buy or Not to Buy, That is the Question

📚 FREE vs. PAID ISBNs: To buy or not to buy. That is the question 🤺  Pros Talking Prose Podcast 🔥 Self-publishing authors, LISTEN UP! Are free ISBNs a sneaky trap? Or are purchased ISBNs just a money grab from the publishing overlords? Troy Lambert (The Plot Dude) and Stacey Smekofske (Edits by Stacey) go head-to-head in this spicy debate over one of indie publishing’s most controversial questions. 🤯 💥 Spoiler Alert: The right answer depends on YOUR author goals! Whether you're an indie rebel or a control freak about your publishing empire, we break down the pros, cons, and hidden costs of ISBN decisions. 👉 In this episode, we answer: ✔️ Do you REALLY need to buy your own ISBN, or is the free one good enough? ✔️ Will using a free ISBN secretly sabotage your book’s success? 😱 ✔️ What’s the REAL difference between a Bowker ISBN and a KDP-assigned one? ✔️ How much control do you actually lose with a free ISBN? (Hint: More than you think.) ✔️ Does an ISBN affect distribution, royalties, bookstores, and libraries? 😂 We also curse Amazon’s nepotistic ways, and puzzle on Troy’s choice of footwear (JK).  🔔 Don’t make a rookie mistake! Watch now and drop your ISBN hot takes in the comments! Are you #TeamFreeISBN or #TeamOwnYourISBN? ⬇️ #SelfPublishing #ISBN #IndieAuthor #WritingCommunity #ProsTalkingProse #EditsByStacey #ThePlotDude #ISBNDebate #BookPublishing #IndiePublishing #AuthorBusiness