There is some indication that the 979 numbers will work with KDP publishing. It may be that it's JUST going from Ingram to Amazon. Ingram only gives 13-digit numbers because it can't convert to 10-digit without duplicating a 978-10-digit number. Several people are testing whether the 979 will work with KDP. Stay tuned and keep and ear out.
Hi Darcy, several of our clients have published their books with the 979 prefix, using both IngramSpark and KDP, and no issues at all so far. We've also used the 979 prefix to get an LCCN. Again, no issues with the Library of Congress. Perhaps there is a unique set of circumstances that are causing problems?
This one is showing the problem with Amazon's system. If you look at the ASIN for a 978 paperback, it is the deprecated 10-digit ISBN. But here, Amazon has assigned an ASIN: B09TX2RHP1. That is Amazon's own proprietary number. In the URL, the ASIN is used instead of the ISBN as it is for the 978 books. In the past, Amazon has only assigned an ASIN for ebooks, not paperbacks.
What that has meant is a miscommunication between Amazon and Ingram. Amazon tries to order with its proprietary number instead of the industry standard 13-digit ISBN.
If you are seeing sales on Ingram and can attribute them to Amazon, then the issue may be resolved. But it was definitely affecting sales for people at first. And if you're listed on KDP also, they are likely selling those instead of Ingram copies.
Amazon does this same thing with non-book products. They assign their ASIN instead of using a product's UPC/GTIN.
Since KDP doesn't print all the formats that Ingram supports, ordering one of those from Amazon would be a good test. We have a 11" wide x 8.5" high kids book coming out soon so we can test the issue. Or maybe you know someone with a 979 prefix that's using an Ingram-only format. I'd love to hear from them.
Yes, Amazon does assign non-book items their ASIN. The problem is that the book industry uses the 13-digit ISBN. Amazon can't talk to the other book companies about the 979 books because they don't use the same reference: ISBN v ASIN.
I do know people, but they don't want to share their info. They say that there's a temporary fix coming, but that will take a couple weeks to implement.
I believe things like this are revealed to be resolved. Thank you for mentoring us thru this maze! I have 10/979 #s. I was on target to launch 3 books next yr/one every 30 days/to stay in amazon's "new release" window for 90 days. On to Plan B . . ."Blessed are the flexible because we will not be bent out of shape." Appreciate all you do!
I heard of this issue earlier this week and honestly, I’m devastated! My book is set to launch 5/17 after over 6 months of marketing. What’s a girl to do! 😩
Thank you for the heads up. This will affect so many who are not in the know. Seems counter-productive to Amazon's bottom line and therefore surprising they didn't get ahead of this.
I literally bought 10 ISBNs yesterday ($295) - all 979s. I'm crushed! But thank you for this post - forewarned is forearmed. I'll throw my tiny complaint at mighty Amazon and hope lots of others do as well.
Oh, Wow! Yes, it's a disappointment! But better to know what is happening. Otherwise, it would just be NOT AVAILABLE and you'd have no clue why that was happening. And I've NO idea when they'll get it figured out. Obviously, if I hear, I'll post.
There is some indication that the 979 numbers will work with KDP publishing. It may be that it's JUST going from Ingram to Amazon. Ingram only gives 13-digit numbers because it can't convert to 10-digit without duplicating a 978-10-digit number. Several people are testing whether the 979 will work with KDP. Stay tuned and keep and ear out.
Hi Darcy, several of our clients have published their books with the 979 prefix, using both IngramSpark and KDP, and no issues at all so far. We've also used the 979 prefix to get an LCCN. Again, no issues with the Library of Congress. Perhaps there is a unique set of circumstances that are causing problems?
David, do you have a 979 ISBN from one book. I’d like to check it out.
This was released in early March via both KDP and IngramSpark: 9798985759808. I'd be interested in any 979s you know of that have had issues.
This one is showing the problem with Amazon's system. If you look at the ASIN for a 978 paperback, it is the deprecated 10-digit ISBN. But here, Amazon has assigned an ASIN: B09TX2RHP1. That is Amazon's own proprietary number. In the URL, the ASIN is used instead of the ISBN as it is for the 978 books. In the past, Amazon has only assigned an ASIN for ebooks, not paperbacks.
What that has meant is a miscommunication between Amazon and Ingram. Amazon tries to order with its proprietary number instead of the industry standard 13-digit ISBN.
If you are seeing sales on Ingram and can attribute them to Amazon, then the issue may be resolved. But it was definitely affecting sales for people at first. And if you're listed on KDP also, they are likely selling those instead of Ingram copies.
Amazon does this same thing with non-book products. They assign their ASIN instead of using a product's UPC/GTIN.
Since KDP doesn't print all the formats that Ingram supports, ordering one of those from Amazon would be a good test. We have a 11" wide x 8.5" high kids book coming out soon so we can test the issue. Or maybe you know someone with a 979 prefix that's using an Ingram-only format. I'd love to hear from them.
Yes, Amazon does assign non-book items their ASIN. The problem is that the book industry uses the 13-digit ISBN. Amazon can't talk to the other book companies about the 979 books because they don't use the same reference: ISBN v ASIN.
I do know people, but they don't want to share their info. They say that there's a temporary fix coming, but that will take a couple weeks to implement.
It may be solved by now. But I know several people caught by this.
I believe things like this are revealed to be resolved. Thank you for mentoring us thru this maze! I have 10/979 #s. I was on target to launch 3 books next yr/one every 30 days/to stay in amazon's "new release" window for 90 days. On to Plan B . . ."Blessed are the flexible because we will not be bent out of shape." Appreciate all you do!
Thank you for letting us know about this :-)
I heard of this issue earlier this week and honestly, I’m devastated! My book is set to launch 5/17 after over 6 months of marketing. What’s a girl to do! 😩
Thank you for the heads up. This will affect so many who are not in the know. Seems counter-productive to Amazon's bottom line and therefore surprising they didn't get ahead of this.
I literally bought 10 ISBNs yesterday ($295) - all 979s. I'm crushed! But thank you for this post - forewarned is forearmed. I'll throw my tiny complaint at mighty Amazon and hope lots of others do as well.
Oh, Wow! Yes, it's a disappointment! But better to know what is happening. Otherwise, it would just be NOT AVAILABLE and you'd have no clue why that was happening. And I've NO idea when they'll get it figured out. Obviously, if I hear, I'll post.
Hi Darcy, Do you know if Amazon has a fix yet for the 979 ISBN problem?
I don't know.
Darcy