Africa is a magical continent. From majestic sunsets through to that wild animal that somehow wondered into your backyard. Simply put, we have a different way of life from the rest of the world. For authors, nowhere is this difference more apparent than when you are wondering how the hell you can get your hands on an ISBN number for your new paperback. This article sheds light on how to obtain an elusive ISBN when you live within the African continent.
My friends and fellow self-publishing authors from the US and UK are laughing at as right now. For those living within Trump’s America or the United Kingdom some distance away, applying for their golden ISBN digits is only a few mouse-clicks away. For those British or American authors who might disagree, lets have a quick recap.
The First-world ISBN application processApplying for an ISBN number for a US author – Bowker Identifier Services. ($125 for one ISBN)
South Africans often believe that they are excluded from international writing competitions, which tends to leave them feeling demotivated and uninspired. Perhaps it’s a lack of research skills, or perhaps it’s easier to believe that than to take the plunge. Fear of success is almost as prevalent as fear of failure.
If you believe your writing is worthy of being read and celebrated, you should go out and do what you can with what you have. Every day, authors slave away in front of their keyboards (or even the arbitrary pencil and paper!) weaving together words to create literary works that may never be read. But fear of failure does not stop them from chasing that dream. And, judging by the countless published books, successful television and stage productions, magazines, newspapers and every other form of media, thousands (if not millions!) of authors succeed. It all starts with committing thoughts to words.
Ultimately, it's a question of Why do you write?