Since 2011, International Standard Book Numbers (ISBNs) for self-published titles have climbed 218.33%, according to the latest report from ProQuest affiliate Bowker.
A total of 786,935 ISBNs were assigned to self-published titles in 2016; in 2011, that number was 247,210.
This new study from Bowker highlights the latest self-publishing trends in print and ebook formats. For 2016 vs. 2015, the numbers indicate a continuing growth trend for print (+11%), though at a slower rate than a year ago (+34%). Ebooks show a slight decline in the number of title registrations (-3%), but this is a significantly smaller decrease compared to the prior year (-11%). Source: Self-Publishing in the United States, 2011-2016 (via Bowker)
“Overall, we believe that these numbers point toward an ongoing maturation and stabilization of the self-publishing industry,” notes Beat Barblan, Director of Identifier Services at Bowker. The report also indicates that the self-publishing industry is dominated by three service providers which, combined, account for over 84% of all print and ebook titles published last year.
Gary Price (gprice@gmail.com) is a librarian, writer, consultant, and frequent conference speaker based in the Washington D.C. metro area.
He earned his MLIS degree from Wayne State University in Detroit.
Price has won several awards including the SLA Innovations in Technology Award and Alumnus of the Year from the Wayne St. University Library and Information Science Program. From 2006-2009 he was Director of Online Information Services at Ask.com.
