What is a ‘publisher imprint’, and why does Amazon/CreateSpace ask me for one?
An imprint of a publisher is a trade name under which it publishes a work. A single publishing company may have multiple imprints, often using the different names as brands to market works to various demographic consumer segments (for example, to differentiate between your cookbooks and general fiction novels).
When Amazon/CreateSpace asks for your ‘publisher imprint,’ it is the name you have registered with us at myidentifiers.com (and appears as your publishing company name on Books in Print). This name is displayed to the public wherever you sell your book and in distribution channels. It is also listed on your book’s copyright page, and assigned to your ISBN.
Self-publishers can use their author name but it may be preferable to create a distinction between the author name and the publisher for public relations and marketing (brand-building) reasons. It can be an invented name, the name of one’s existing business or website, or some other variation.
If you need to change the imprint (or Books in Print company name) you have created, please email pad@bowker.com. Include your new name and one of your assigned 13-digit ISBNs.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bowker is the only official ISBN agency for the United States.
