eBook | EPUB | FlightDeck Validation | ISBN Error | Metadata | Proper Method?

[Joe-New-to-ID]

I generated an eBook via InDesign and am now validating it using FlightDeck software. I get green lights for all retailers except for Kobo and NetGalley. Kobo and NetGalley want the ISBN number either in the filename or in the dc:identifier. I'd like to avoid putting the ISBN number in the filename.

1. How ISBN incorporation done properly? (I was going to wait for KDP upload to enter the ISBN.)
2. Is it done upon EPUB export from InDesign, or is it done by manipulating HTML code using Sigil?
3. My limited research reveals conflicting messages about using the automated ID number generated by InDesign upon EPUB export versus replacing it with the ISBN number. Which method is correct?

[James Gifford—NitroPress · Accepted solution]

Welcome to the EPUB "standard."

The only meaningful answers come from each vendor, assuming they can be bothered to answer beyond whatever cryptic, outdated boilerplate is on their help page. 

The solution - quite seriously- is to stay with one or two major vendors. You won't sell enough through the third and fifth and twentieth to make any of the effort worthwhile.

ETA, addendum now that I'm on a real keyboard. I think it's a waste of time to try and place books with all of the EPUB sellers. Everyone has a success story on one or the other, but frankly, it's not like you're placing it with Target and Walmart and Macys; more like Amazon/Walmart and a bunch of niche/boutique places. Amazon covers the world and is easy to publish and manage. If you absolutely must have a second, direct-EPUB outlet, SmashWords is probably closest in convenience and reach, unless you want to target the Apple crowd specifically with Apple Books. But both of those is a waste, and slogging down the list of Kobo and others is even more so.

Point of evidence: I think I've sold three books on SmashWords, in five or six years. I sell more directly from my publishing website, which only has a storefront because I set one up 20 years ago. I've never sold anything on B&N, and never any ebooks on Ingram.

Just not worth the headache and hassle and annoyance to scrape sales from the corners of the market. Anyone who won't buy from Amazon almost certainly does their primary shopping on SW or Apple, with a sharply descending curve on the others. Duplication is pointless.

[Joe-New-to-ID]

James:  Thank you. I will heed your advice unless, of course, my book becomes a best seller (unlikely). Then I may do a little tailoring for Kobo and NetGalley.

[James Gifford—NitroPress]

You can always keep "fixing" things for each of these minor portals. Eventually you'll get it right or quit from frustration.

But just because you can list your books with these minor players is not really a reason to do so. If you can point buyers to Kindle, you've covered about 95% of your potential market. If you can point them to SmashWords, you get the 10% or so who either shop there for reasons of their own or hate Amazon. I suggest it's not worth reaching any further, best-seller or no.

[Joe-New-to-ID]

James:  Thank you. I'm not familiar with SmashWords. I will do a little research on them.

[James Gifford—NitroPress]

I am not necessarily recommending SW over any other EPUB outlet; I believe but won't swear that they are the best option if you need one portal to reach the non-Amazon market.

Maybe any one of the equivalents is just as good. My point is that I think you need only one, as all generate about the same amount of organic sales (== nil, in most cases) but are equal as sources for authors to list as purchase points.