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Topic: Posting without an ISBN

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gram47 avatar
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Subject: Posting without an ISBN
Date Posted: 8/13/2016 9:46 PM ET
Member Since: 7/27/2008
Posts: 1,491
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I just inherited nearly 800 books.  A lot of them have no ISBN. 

I go through the process of posting without an ISBN - no problem.

Of course that means they show on the bookshelf as "No cover available". 

Also, many of these books are wishlisted so how would another member know they are in the

system? 

Patouie avatar
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Date Posted: 8/14/2016 3:07 AM ET
Member Since: 8/26/2006
Posts: 9,656
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Pamela, if you can scan your book's cover (or find a scanned image online) you can post a jpg image by clicking on the "upload" button under the blue "no cover available" box on the listing. Or you can upload your image at the time you create the listing. FYI, images must be in jpg format and should follow these guidelines:

 

Have the extra space around the image (usually white on the sides) cropped off.
Be straight
Be clear
Be free from stickers, rips, writing, etc.
Be large enough to read the title
Be free from any emblems from other sites, such as eBay or Amazon.
No flash glare

It's usually worth looking on this site for a good image. Do a title/author search, and if you find an image you like, go to the book's info page then click on the image to bring up the largest version of the image.

If the "upload" button is missing, or if you are uploading several images at once:

  • Scroll down to the bottom left corner of any page on the site
  • Click Member Tools
  • Click "Upload Book Covers" on the Member Tools page
  • Enter the ISBN for the book
  • Browse your hard drive for the cover image
  • Click to submit it

When you post a book without an ISBN, an email is not sent out to wishers of other versions telling them that your book has been posted. Some members may be searching for the title/author regularly, but if your book isn't requested right away, you can put a tag on the wishlisted editions saying something like "See also ISBN xxxxxx".

Also, from the Help Center:

If your book does not have an ISBN but its title/author is the same as one on the Club Wish List:

  • These "similar-item" email alerts are NOT sent out for non-ISBN items
  • You can advertise your book in the Book Bazaar Discussion Forum if you like
    • There is a topic in that Forum just for different versions of Wish Listed books
    • These "advertised" items often get quick requests.
    • To get to the Book Bazaar:
      • Place your cursor over Community in the toolbar at the top of the site
      • Click Discussion Forums in the menu that drops down
      • Scroll down the Discussion Forums main page to see the Book Bazaar in the list
      • Click Book Bazaar to enter that forum.
thameslink avatar
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Date Posted: 8/14/2016 8:09 AM ET
Member Since: 2/13/2007
Posts: 2,279
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When you post a book without an ISBN, unfortunately, it doesn't link with books with an ISBN. What you can do on the WLed books is after listing you can go to the WLed book's details page and add a tag saying "Listed under XXXX (inserting your non-ISBN)". It would take some time, with no immediate results but it would alert people looking at the book's page that there is one available.

You also could create a thread in the Book Bazaar, letting people know that you have just listed a slew of WLed books with a short ISBN. I would list those books, with author, in the thread.

Just realized I have repeated Patty's advice....duh...

gram47 avatar
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Date Posted: 8/14/2016 1:34 PM ET
Member Since: 7/27/2008
Posts: 1,491
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Thank you for the responses.

I'll try the Book Bazaar route when I get an extra hour or so.

I inherited these books from my sister-in-law who died last month.  Getting an extra hour or so is a blessing. 

We're dealing with Probate in another state and so far there is NOTHING easy about it.

Thanks again, Pam

soelo avatar
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Date Posted: 8/14/2016 3:24 PM ET
Member Since: 5/4/2009
Posts: 718
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Another tip when you are posting these is that if the author on your entry has initials in their name, be sure to format them correctly. When you post an author with initials, post them initial period space initial period space. So C. A. and not C.A. and not C A either. In the case of these three books, only one shows up when you click on the author name because they were not formatted the right way.



Last Edited on: 8/14/16 3:24 PM ET - Total times edited: 1