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Step Two - Book Registration (Part II)

© Donna Murphy

Now that you've been exposed to the "required" trade registration numbers, let's look at the "optional" registration items. These optional numbers include an LCCN, UPC, CIP/P-CIP. These are dependent on:

1. The type of book you've written;

2. The audience to whom you intend to market and sell; and

3. The type of store in which you plan to stock your title.

If you plan on marketing your book to the library trade, you will need to obtain an LCCN and a CIP/P-CIP. I realize that I've been throwing acronym after acronym at you, but I promise we'll be done with those soon. LCCN means Library of Congress Catalog Number. Getting an LCCN assigned to your book is free! However, just because it's free does not mean you automatically need to incorporate it into your book. An LCCN is applicable only if you intend to market and sell your book to the library trade. That also goes for the CIP/P-CIP, which stands for Cataloging in Publication or Publisher's-Cataloging in Publication. This is where it gets a bit tricky.

Refer to the following sites to get more information on the CIP program from the Library of Congress.

Scope of the CIP Program

How to Join the CIP Program

If you apply for an LCCN (from the Library of Congress) you cannot apply for a CIP. But, you will need some type of cataloging information in your book if you want it to be handled by library acquisitions. This is where the P-CIP comes in. You can obtain a P-CIP from Quality Books, Inc.They have librarians working on their staff to provide you with a "data block" equivalent to what libraries expect for their cataloging information. To get an application contact them by snail mail at 1003 W. Pines Road, Oregon, IL 61061-9680. For faster request, call them at 1.815.732.4450.

If your book is a good candidate for the supermarket chains or the warehouse stores (e.g., Sam's Club, Target, Wal-Mart, K-Mart, Safeway, etc.) then you will need to have a Universal Product Code somewhere on your book. Keep in mind that this is not required for your book to be available to the general book trade.

And you thought you were done... After registering your book, you will need to determine a publication date and prepare RFQs for book manufacturers. The publication date is your complete decision. There is no formula involved to determine this magical date. However, your publication date should be far enough out to give you time to prepare, print and promote your book. REMEMBER: Your publication date is not the date your books come off the press, it's when you will be releasing your book for sale to the public. As a self-publisher, your turn-around time is faster than the traditional route -- but that doesn't mean you can set your publication date sooner. Another thing to take into consideration when setting your publication date is the topic of your book. Does you book correspond with any special calendar event that can enhance the marketing and promotion of your book? If so, plan you publication date accordingly.

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