ISBN

Through Writers Club of America, you are eligible for a free ISBN when using our cover design services.

No restrictions apply if we assign your ISBN. You can also get an ISBN through Amazon, but some restrictions apply.

As of September 03, 2025, Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) still offers a free ISBN for paperback and hardcover books, but not for eBooks. Here are the terms based on the latest available information:

Eligibility: The free ISBN is available when you publish a paperback or hardcover through KDP, provided you select the “Get a free KDP ISBN” option during the setup process. Low-content books (e.g., journals) are typically ineligible.

Ownership and Usage: The ISBN is provided by KDP and registered with Bowker (the U.S. ISBN agency), listing the imprint as “Independently Published.” It can only be used for distribution through Amazon and its expanded distribution channels (e.g., select online retailers), not on other platforms such as IngramSpark or Draft2Digital.

Exclusivity: Using the free ISBN doesn’t require exclusivity to KDP, but if you enroll in KDP Select (which offers higher royalties via Kindle Unlimited), you must make the eBook exclusive to Amazon for 90 days, though this is separate from the ISBN terms.

Limitations: You cannot transfer or reuse this ISBN elsewhere, and it ties your book to Amazon’s publishing ecosystem, potentially limiting future distribution flexibility.

For full details, check KDP’s ISBN help page, as terms can evolve.