You hired your cover artist and they want WHAT?
“Is it normal for my Book Cover Artist to want my ISBN Number?”
Was the question I saw in my writing group forum. Before I could explain to them why a Book Cover Artist would want this, I saw comments that alluded that this was a very FISHY dealing, and something to be suspicious about.
I once asked an author for the ISBN number once, and there was a pause, an awkward look, and a cautious…. ‘why?’
Blunt Answer:
No. I’m not trying to steal your book. Or somehow harm your book. Or whatever nefarious purpose you think I’ll be using your 12 digit (sometimes 8 digit) code. Your ISBN number tells me information about your book. WHAT CAN I DO WITH IT.
Kind Answer:
I totally get your apprehension, I need it to get a template from Amazon/Ingram Spark you’re getting your book printed.
Things you need to give your Cover Artist if you’re wanting an E-Book Cover:
Book Title
Sub Title if you have it
Pen Name or how you want your name shown
Series?
Review
The size of the book (if it’s different from the usual size recommended)
Things you need to give your Cover Artist if you’re wanting a Print Cover:
You’re going to have to give them a LOT more if you’re wanting a print book.
Everything above.
Page Numbers
Size of your book. (Make sure this exists on your printing medium)
Blurb (Make sure this is edited/proof read. Your Cover Artist is NOT your proof reader)
Any information you want in the back like author details?
ISBN NUMBER (This depends on who you’re printing with)
Colour of page?
Matte? Gloss?
If your Cover Artist asks for these, please rest assured, we’re not trying to scam? steal? your book. We need this in order to put it into your printing place (usually Amazon/Kindle/Ingram Spark) and they then spit out a template for us to put the image on.
This template is super delicate. Here’s an example:
This is from Kindle/Amazon. This is what we get. Then we put the image on top of this and make sure it doesn’t go out of the lines on pain of death. IT WILL REJECT IT IF IT DOESN”T MATCH.
If you already set your book up on your printing platform, as soon as you type your ISBN number, it will auto populate with the colour of pages, page numbers, size. All that. However if you haven’t, then your Book Cover Artist will have to add these in manually to get that template above.
If you really rather not divulge any of the information, then you can get this template and hand it to your Book Cover Artist.
And it’s super helpful if you can give this to them FROM THE START. You’ll quickly wear your artist down if you keep going back to them saying ‘oh no, the page number changed’ ‘oh no, the blurb needs a tweak’
You get everything ready THEN give it to your artist.
I mean, if you have heaps of money and can pay your artist for every edit you make, it’s fine, but probably not the best idea.
Another use for ISBN number:
Another reason we need the ISBN number, is because it’s printed on your barcode. Templates from Amazon/Ingram gives it to you already in the template, so the artist will be able to place it.
But if you have your own barcode somewhere, then you give that to the artist.
WAIT IM USING A DIFFERENT PRINTER
That’s all good. If that’s the case, still good to get a template for your artist from this printer. They likely won’t request for an ISBN number. Different printers have different ways of dealing with this.
TL:DR:
Worried your artist is asking for too much? Then give them the template from your printer. Don’t have a template or want your artist to get it for you? Give them the information if you don’t want your book cover rejected when you load it onto the printer.