@S H I completely understand why you want to get this clarified before purchasing your ISBNs, especially with all the other publishing expenses involved. From what I understand, you’re trying to use your own imprint and distribute your books through both KDP and IngramSpark, including making them available to readers in the UK, and you’re unsure whether a Bowker ISBN purchased in the US will cover that international distribution or if you would need Nielsen ISBNs as well. It’s definitely worth getting a clear answer before spending that kind of money. I’d be happy to help you look into the options and figure out what makes the most sense for your relaunch. Have you already contacted Bowker or IngramSpark to see what they recommend for using a US-purchased ISBN with UK distribution?

@Danie Marie I can definitely relate to what you’re saying. Having several books published and still feeling invisible can be frustrating, especially when you know you’ve put real time and effort into creating them. I think one of the biggest lessons in publishing is realizing that writing and publishing the book is only the beginning, getting it in front of the right readers is a completely different part of the journey. It sounds like working with Adam has helped you see that side of the business more clearly, especially when it comes to having an actual strategy behind your books instead of simply hoping readers will find them. I’m glad you’re already noticing a difference, even though you’re still early in the process. If you ever feel like you need another perspective on your marketing or visibility strategy, I’d be happy to share anything that might help. What are you focusing on right now, getting more traffic, building reviews, or improving your overall book marketing strategy?

@Adam Erhart That makes a lot of sense. I really like the idea of treating the launch as the beginning rather than the finish line, because it seems easy to put all your energy into launch week and then assume the book will continue selling on its own. Consistent visibility and genuine engagement seem much more sustainable in the long run, especially when you’re trying to build an audience rather than just get a temporary spike in sales. I’m curious, though what kind of ongoing activities do you think make the biggest difference after launch: engaging directly with readers, creating content around the book, building a community, or something else?

@Adam Erhart I completely agree with you. I especially like your point about starting with direct engagement and then building content and community around it. Genuine conversations can create a much stronger connection than simply putting content out and hoping people notice it. I think the key is knowing how to approach readers naturally without making every conversation feel like a promotion. That’s something I’ve been thinking about as well, especially when it comes to finding the right communities and starting meaningful conversations around a book. If you’re working on this right now and would like another perspective, I’d be happy to share some ideas or help you think through a simple approach that fits your book and audience. Would you prefer help with finding the right readers, starting conversations, or turning engagement into sales?

@S H I completely understand where you’re coming from. After going through a difficult scam experience, it makes sense that you’d want to be more careful, especially when you see a high spam-risk warning. At the same time, I agree that these warnings shouldn’t necessarily mean that someone is automatically a bad person, since systems can sometimes get things wrong. I think the best approach is to take things slowly and look at the person’s behavior rather than relying only on the warning. Avoid sharing personal or sensitive information too quickly, be cautious if someone pressures you to move the conversation somewhere else or asks for money, and pay attention to whether their story and behavior seem consistent over time. And please don’t feel like you have to engage with someone just because you’re worried about missing a potential connection. Your peace of mind comes first. If you come across a situation that you’re unsure about, I’d be happy to help you look at it and think through whether there are any red flags. Would you like me to help you figure out what specific signs to look for when someone has a high spam-risk warning?

@S H You’re very welcome! I completely understand. There can be a few different reasons someone might receive a flag, depending on what platform or situation you’re referring to. If you tell me a little more about the specific flag you received or what happened before it appeared, I’d be happy to help you understand what may have caused it and how you can proceed without running into the same issue again. If you need any help figuring it out, I’m more than happy to help. What kind of flag are you referring to?

@S H That makes perfect sense. I think it’s wise to take a step back and double check the second choice before making a final decision, especially when it comes to an imprint name that you may want to use for a long time. If the second option is clear and doesn’t raise any concerns, choosing the safer route could definitely save you from unnecessary headaches in the future. I hope it turns out to be a good fit for you! Have you found anything so far that makes you feel confident about your second choice?

@S H That makes sense, and it sounds like you’ve done a good job checking the name in both markets. Since the businesses are in completely different industries, I can understand why you feel more comfortable with it now. I’m glad you found something that feels safer and gives you more confidence moving forward. If you need any help with the next steps, whether it’s checking the name further, working on the branding, or anything else related to the project, I’d be happy to help. Would you like to move forward with the name as it is, or would you like me to help you do one more check before you decide?