The Technical Side of Publishing: Essential Behind-the-Scenes Elements

From ISBNs to Distribution: Mastering Publishing Mechanics

Series: THE INDIE AUTHOR’S JOURNEY: A Real-World Guide to Self-Publishing


Part 3: Publishing Logistics

April 9, 2025 | 8-minute read

We’ve polished your manuscript and created beautiful visual elements. Now it’s time to tackle the technical side of publishing — those behind-the-scenes details that transform your creation into an official, available book.


Many new authors find these logistics intimidating, but don’t worry. I’ll guide you through each step, from assigning unique identifiers to choosing distribution channels. While these elements might seem dry compared to the creative aspects we’ve covered, they’re essential building blocks of your publishing foundation.


Let’s demystify these technical details and get your book ready for the world!

ISBNs: Your Book’s Identity Card

What They Are and Why You Need Them

ISBN stands for International Standard Book Number — a unique identifier that distinguishes your book in the global marketplace. Think of it as your book’s social security number or passport.


Each ISBN is a 13-digit number (they were 10 digits before 2007) that identifies:

  • Your book’s specific edition.
  • The publisher.
  • Language group.
  • Geographic location.

Here’s something crucial that many new authors miss: You need a separate ISBN for each format of your book.


Your eBook, paperback, hardcover, and audiobook each require their own ISBN.

Where to Get ISBNs

You have several options:

  • Purchase directly from Bowker (the U.S. ISBN agency).
  • Use free ISBNs from platforms like KDP* (with limitations).
  • Purchase through aggregators like IngramSpark.*
  • Have a full-service publishing company like Aila Designs* handle it (for a fee, of course).
  • Buy in bulk for multiple books (significant savings).

My advice? If you’re serious about building your publishing business, invest in your own ISBNs.


While platforms like Amazon offer free options, these list the platform as the publisher, not you.


The ISBNs of both my first book through Dorrance* and my latest book through Aila Designs were obtained by each publishing company. Because I intend to stay with Aila through the last four books of my Swallowtail Four series, I’ll continue to have her obtain the ISBNs for me.


However, I intend to buy the bulk option through Bowker when publishing my romances. Doing so gives me greater control, a higher degree of professionalism, and establishes me as not only the author but publisher of my own books, which is perfect for when I start selling my novels through my Books by Alicia website.

Barcodes: Making Your Book Retail-Ready

Now that your book has its identity through an ISBN, it needs a way for retailers to easily access that information. That’s where barcodes come in — those familiar black-and-white patterns that allow your book to be scanned and sold in physical stores.

Understanding Barcodes

Barcodes translate your ISBN into a machine-readable format. They’re essential if you plan to sell your book in:

  • Bookstores.
  • Libraries.
  • Any physical retail location.

Barcodes contain:

  • Your ISBN.
  • Pricing information (optional).
  • Location identifiers.

Getting Barcodes

You can:

  • Purchase them bundled with your ISBN from Bowker.
  • Generate them using free online tools (if you have an ISBN).
  • Get them through your print-on-demand service.
  • Let your full-service publishing company handle it.
  • Have your cover designer add them.

Remember: Barcodes are only needed for physical books, not eBooks.

Copyright Registration: Protecting Your Work

Automatic Copyright vs. Registration

Here’s good news: Your work is automatically copyrighted the moment you create it. However, registering your copyright with the U.S. Copyright Office provides additional legal protections.


Registration gives you:

  • A public record of your copyright claim.
  • The ability to sue for statutory damages and attorney’s fees.
  • Legal evidence of your ownership.

How to Register

The process is straightforward:

  • Create an account.
  • Fill out the application (currently $45-65 for most books).
  • Submit your manuscript.
  • Pay the fee.

If your pocketbook is stretched right now, don’t fret. This is not something you have to do to be published. Go ahead and publish. When you’ve replenished your bank account a little, you can submit your manuscript.

Format Choices: Maximizing Your Reach

With your book’s identifiers and legal protections in place, it’s time to consider how readers will experience your work. Today’s publishing landscape offers more format options than ever before, and each comes with its own advantages and technical considerations.

Understanding Your Options

The formats you choose can significantly impact your book’s reach, reader experience, and revenue potential. Let’s explore the possibilities:


E-Books:

  • Kindle (.mobi/.azw)
  • EPUB (standard for most other platforms)
  • PDF (less common for fiction)

Print:

  • Paperback (most common)
  • Hardcover (higher production cost, higher perceived value)
  • Large print (growing market)

Audiobooks:

  • Standard audiobook
  • Dramatized (multiple narrators)

Each format has its own audience and production requirements. I started with eBook and paperback for my romance novel but added hardcover for my children’s book since many parents, schools, and libraries prefer their durability.

Production Considerations

Different formats have different technical requirements:

  • E-Books need reflowable text and specific formatting.
  • Print books need bleed settings and spine width calculations.
  • Audiobooks need proper audio engineering and file formats.

I have a passion for acting and have been told by countless people that I have a great voice and read very well. So I’ve decided to read my own novels.


I purchased professional recording equipment, but I was referred to a wonderful recording company that’s free to use. It’s called Audacity,* and it’s been very simple to use (even for someone who’s not tech-savvy!).


So if you have a good voice and some acting ability, maybe recording your own audiobooks will be a nice fit for you, too. (Not to mention your pocketbook!)

Distribution Channels: Getting Your Book to Readers

Now that you’ve decided on your book’s formats, the next big question is: How will readers find and purchase it?


Distribution channels are the pathways that connect your book to your audience, and choosing the right ones can make a significant difference in your book’s success.

Major Platforms

Today’s indie authors have more distribution options than ever before. Let’s explore the key players:


Your main options include:

  • Amazon KDP (largest market share)
  • Barnes & Noble Press
  • Apple Books
  • Kobo
  • IngramSpark (print distribution to bookstores)
  • Draft2Digital, PublishDrive, Smashwords (aggregators)

Exclusive vs. Wide

One of your biggest decisions will be whether to go exclusively with Amazon (through KDP Select) or distribute widely.


KDP Select benefits:

  • Enrollment in Kindle Unlimited
  • Promotional tools like Countdown Deals
  • Higher royalties in some markets

Going wide benefits:

  • Reaching readers on all platforms
  • Not being dependent on a single company
  • International market opportunities

I’ve never done an exclusive listing through Amazon. I’ve heard too many authors speak against it. Mainly because you’re restricted from putting your book on any other platform for a number of months.


Do your own research. I don’t know which you’ll decide, but I prefer going wide to reach more readers.

Direct Sales

Don’t overlook selling directly from your website:

  • Keep 100% of profits.
  • Build direct relationships with readers.
  • Collect email addresses.
  • Bundle formats or books.

Why is this such a worthy option? Well, let’s face it: Distributors take a large cut out of each book you sell!


This is something I’ve always wanted to do, but I thought I’d have to wait a while before trying it out. As I’ve stated, I’m not tech-savvy, so I wasn’t sure how to do it. But I’ve learned a lot about e-commerce and how to set things up on my website. So, soon, I hope to cut out the middleman and sell directly to you and my readers!

Making Your Technical Decisions

With all these options and considerations, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But remember, thousands of indie authors navigate these waters successfully every day.


The good news is you don’t have to make every decision at once, and there’s no single “right” approach that works for every author.


The technical side of publishing might not be as creatively satisfying as writing or designing your book, but these decisions form the foundation of your publishing business. Take your time, research thoroughly, and choose the options that align with your specific goals and resources.

Next week, we’ll explore these publishing platforms in greater detail, examining the specific requirements, advantages, and potential challenges of each major option — helping you make informed choices about where and how to distribute your work.

Which technical aspect of publishing do you find most confusing? Are you planning to use free ISBNs or purchase your own? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Related Topics: book identifiers, copyright protection, book distribution strategy, publishing formats, indie author logistics, publishing rights, book registration, self-publishing platforms

* NOTE: I mentioned my newest series, Swallowtail Four, which contains book 1, The Adventure in the Magical World. If you’d like to get your copy, click here.


Also, I’m not compensated for any of the companies or software mentioned. But if you’d like to visit any of their sites, here are those links:

Alicia Strickland

Hi! I write across multiple genres under various pen names. But for nonfiction, I write as myself. As a designer with a love of Old Hollywood and all things creative, I bring diverse perspectives to my storytelling... and to my blog. In the unlikely event that I’m not writing, I enjoy crafting, gardening, or spending time with my flame-point Siamese, Hunter.

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Logo for A.J. Strickland novels. At the center of the logo is a blue circle. There's a woman sitting on the bottom of the circle, her knees bent so she can prop up the book she's reading. She's wearing a red sweater, black leggings, and brown boots. Her hair is long and brown. Around the circle is written, "Contemporary Romance." Under the circle are the words, "A.J. Strickland."

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