Why Self-Published Authors Should Create A Publishing Imprint

How to create a publishing imprint and how it benefits self-published authors in Australia!

What is a publishing imprint, and do I need to create one? It’s a question we’ve been getting asked more often lately, and something every Australian author should consider. If you’re not publishing under your own imprint, you should be! There are a lot of reasons why creating a publishing imprint makes sense.

It sounds daunting to create a publishing imprint. Like starting a company or something, but creating your own publishing imprint is actually a lot easier than you think. In the following guide to publishing imprints, we’ll cover:

1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. 1. What Is A Publishing Imprint?
                  2. Why Self-Published Authors Create a Publishing Imprint
                  3. Creating A Publishing Imprint FAQs

If you’re still at the early stages of the self-publishing process and considering which self-publishing platform is best for you, check out The Best Self-Publishing Platforms to Self-Publish Your Books, where we cover the pros and cons of self-publishing platforms available to Australian authors.

What Is A Publishing Imprint?

One of the first decisions you should make as an author, if you have committed yourself to self-publishing your book and you’re starting to look at self-publishing platforms, is whether or not it’s worth it to create a publishing imprint.

Your publishing imprint is linked directly to your book’s International Standard Book Number (ISBN).

Understanding ISBNs and the Impact On Your Books

Read Do I Need An ISBN In Australia? To learn more about what ISBNs are, how to get them, and their role in the self-publishing process. We do a complete breakdown of ISBNs and their role for Australian authors.

When you buy an ISBN, you buy it under your author name, your pen name, or under the name of your publishing imprint.

Back when self-publishing was beginning, Amazon KDP decided that ebooks didn’t need their own ISBN, much to the disapproval of other self-publishing platforms, traditional publishers, and the people who sell ISBNs in many parts of the world, including Australia, Thorpe-Bowker. Apple Books tried to force authors to upload ebooks with an ISBN, but eventually, even they gave up. Now, Amazon KDP allows authors to self-publish without an ISBN. However, there are drawbacks to this.

When you self-publish an ebook on Amazon KDP, they’ll offer you a free Amazon Standard Identification Number (ASIN) instead of asking you for an ISBN. The ASIN is a 10-digit number that helps Amazon catalogue products on its global marketplace. It sounds great. But is it? What value does having your ISBN have, and does it outweigh the price of purchasing one? Let’s take a look.

It turns out to be a lot of value if you plan to self-publish your title on multiple platforms, such as IngramSpark Publishing and Apple Books, or by uploading to platforms like Barnes & Noble Publishing and publishing under your own imprint.

If you control the ISBN, you control the information. You can also control where and how you self-publish your books.

The Publishing Imprint Name

The publishing imprint is the name of your publishing company. That’s right. Your publishing imprint is:

• • • • • • • Displayed on your book listing online on all self-publishing platforms, regardless of where you choose to sell your book.
            • Recorded alongside your title information in all book databases used by book wholesalers, distributors, and retailers globally.
            • Listed on the copyright page of your book and also included in your book’s sell sheet and any promotional material you create.
            • Is the name under which you purchase your ISBN or ISBNs.

Your imprint name could be your author name. However, it’s recommended by most marketing experts to create a degree of separation between the author and the publisher, a company name, or a fictional name you create.

Why Self-published Authors Create a Publishing Imprint | The Benefits of An Author Imprint

The next question we usually get is, ‘Do I need to start my own publishing company to create a publishing imprint?” and the answer to that is no. However, it could be in your best interest to.

If you’re operating your self-publishing work as a business and want royalty payments to be paid to that business and also claim expenses against costs, you’ll most likely need to set up a business. In Australia, you can apply for an Australian Business Number (ABN) for free.

Once you have your ABN and have settled on a publishing imprint name, your next step could be registering that name. Head to the ASIC portal to officially register your company name and link it to your ABN. It’s around $100 to register your company name for 3 years, and the exact cost to renew it every 3 years after that.

Please seek professional legal and tax advice about your individual circumstances before making any decisions to ensure that the decisions suit your personal circumstances.

The benefits of creating your own publishing imprint include:

• • • • • • Marketing – When you do any sort of marketing, pre-release, ARCs, book tours, author takeover events, reviews, and blurbs, you will be sending out your book under the name of the publishing imprint.
          • Professional – It looks more professional for your book to be published under a publishing imprint rather than just your author’s name or be listed as ‘self-published’ on online marketplaces. Unfortunately, there still exists some degree of bias towards self-published books compared to traditionally published books, regardless of their validity.
          • Separation – A publishing imprint creates a layer of separation between you as the author and your book.

Creating A Publishing Imprint FAQs

Below are some of the most common FAQs related to authors who want to create a publishing imprint:

What is a publishing imprint? – An imprint is the name under which your book is published.

Do I have to self-publish under a publishing imprint? – No. However, it could help create a layer of separation between you and your book, while also making your book look more professional and saleable.

Can I publish multiple books under the exact publishing imprint? – Yes. You’re not limited to the books you publish under your imprint. However, consider your writing genres when creating your imprint name. If you are planning on writing multiple books, purchasing ISBNs in bulk could save you money on both the individual cost and fees associated with the purchase.

Do I need to create a company if I make a publishing imprint? – No. However, creating one for financial and tax purposes could benefit you. Please seek professional legal and tax advice about your individual circumstances before making any decisions to ensure that the decisions suit your personal circumstances.

Is the publishing imprint displayed on my book’s Amazon KDP listing? – Yes. Under the publication details, it will list who published the book.

What are the benefits of starting my own publishing imprint? – It will lend credibility to your book marketing, make it look more professional, and create a layer of separation between you and your book.

Can I use an imprint if I use Amazon’s free ASINs? – No. If you want to publish under an imprint, you must purchase your ISBNs.

Where can I buy ISBNs in Australia? – In Australia, authors can purchase their ISBNs from Thorpe-Bowker.

Why Self-Published Authors Should Create A Publishing Imprint | Conclusion

Now, you should have a clear idea about how to create a publishing imprint and know the benefits that creating an imprint offers self-published Australian authors.

If you have any questions about the self-publishing process, please don’t hesitate to contact us. 

At Author Services Australia, we support Australian and New Zealand self-published authors and writers with a full range of affordable self-publishing services, including ghostwriting, copyediting, developmental editing, proofreading, ebook and paperback formatting, book cover design, children’s book illustrations, graphic design services, Amazon KDP Keyword and Category Research, manuscript uploading assistance, animated book cover reveal videos, and social media and marketing.

Have you created your own author publishing imprint, and do you have any tips for first-time Australian authors looking to create a publishing imprint for themselves? Drop a comment below. We’d love to hear your thoughts and feedback.